| The
NECPA has several components. The first is a thorough self-assessment
of the program by management, staff, and parents to determine
how closely the NECPA standards are being met. The second component
is an action plan to address weaknesses. The third component
is an on-site visit by a trained NECPA Verifier. And the fourth
component is a review by the NECPA National Accreditation Council.
The process is self-paced.
Accreditation is a growing process. As you and your staff work
through the self-assessment, your goal should be to meet the
NECPA standards fully.  Most
find it necessary to spend some time making changes in their
programs in order to meet the standards. You may take as long
as you need before requesting a verification visit.
As a pre -requisite to accreditation, all centers must have
possessed a license in good standing from their respective states
for at least one year. Full accreditation is granted for three
years with satisfactory annual reviews. There are restrictions
regarding changes in location and management for accredited
centers.
The
NECPA Process
A Step By Step Guide
1. An early childhood program enrolls
in NECPA.
2. The NECPA staff assigns the program a Site Number, enters
it on the database, and sends the program the NECPA self-assessment
instrument and parent, staff and children’s surveys.
3. If the program’s administrator wishes, a NECPA Mentor is
assigned.
4. The program administrator meets with the program staff and
parents to explain the accreditation process and how they can
work together to achieve the award.
5. Teachers assess their classrooms’ compliance with the NECPA
standards and discuss their findings with the program director.
Together they develop a.plan to address any items not in full
compliance.
6. The plan of compliance is acted upon and completed.
7. The NECPA Parent and Staff surveys are distributed and collected.
At least 50% of the families served must return surveys and
70% of staff must be completed as well.
8. When the surveys are returned and the program staff is ready,
the director returns the “Request for Verification Visit” form.
9. The NECPA staff assigns one or more Verifiers to visit the
program on a designed date.
10. The Verifier looks at written documentation and observes
in the classrooms to determine the accuracy of each answer in
the self-assessment instrument. The Verifier and Director meet
at the end of the day to go over the findings.
11. The Verifier sends the verified self-assessment instrument,
the surveys, and a copy of the program license to the NECPA
office.
12. The instrument is scored and a narrative profile of the
program is created. The profile is sent to the members of the
NECPA National Accreditation Council.
13. The council members individually review the profiles and
meet to make accreditation recommendations.
14. The NECPA Commission reviews the Council’s recommendations
and formally awards accreditation.
15. The NECPA staff notifies the program of the Commission’s
decision —Full Accreditation, Pending, or Deferred.
16. Programs receiving “Pending” status are permitted to send
the requested documentation directly to the NECPA office. If
the documentation is satisfactory, full accreditation will be
awarded.
17. Deferred programs must address each item in the notification
letter and must, within 60 days, return the “Interim Report”
describing how they have complied with each standard. A re-verification
visit may be required by the Council. The new information will
be considered at the next meeting of the Council.
18. Accredited programs must submit Annual Reports describing
changes in their programs and improvements that have been made~
Accreditation is valid for three years.
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