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What is Maryland Accreditation?
Show your commitment to providing the best education every day.
Maryland Accreditation is a way for licensed child care centers and public prekindergarten programs to demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality learning. (Please note: Family Child Care programs are not currently eligible to pursue Maryland Accreditation.)
Programs pursue Maryland Accreditation using the following tools:
- Maryland Accreditation Standards for early childhood and school-age programs
- Self-Appraisal, including input from your staff and enrolled families
- Program Improvement Plan based on areas of need for improvement
- Review of program improvements through a Final Self-Appraisal
- Optional support through virtual or onsite Technical Assistance
- Observation and feedback through a Validation Visit
Benefits of Maryland Accreditation include the following:
- Eligibility for Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating 5
- Higher Maryland EXCELS Payments
- Access to Accreditation Support Funds for purchasing instructional materials
- Eligibility to participate in Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood PLUS
- Opportunity to increase staff and family engagement
- Demonstrates your dedication to excellence in services for families and your community
What is the Accreditation Process?
Open the Maryland Accreditation Timeline to download and print.
During a 24-month process, your program will meet each of the Maryland Accreditation Standards, ending in receiving an Accreditation Decision.
Once your program is awarded Maryland Accreditation, your accreditation status is valid for five years.
During each of the first three years of accreditation, your program will submit an Annual Update near the anniversary of receiving your award.
Your program will begin the re-accreditation process 24 months before your expiration date, beginning with the Maryland Accreditation Orientation.