Session Goals

Were Accredited.now what? Maintaining Accreditation and sustaining qualityPresented by:Julie Leslie & Kim St. Marie1Session GoalsApproaches to sustaining quality over term of accreditationNAEYC5 yearsMAAP3 yearsNECPA3 yearsAccreditation tools and criteria for quality improvementFormal requirements to maintain accreditationRelated resources

2Quality

Quality is complexMulti-dimensionalShaped and experienced by different stakeholdersQuality is dynamicQuality can decline if not tendedNew challenges ariseQuality must be sustained and improved over time

3for DiscussionWhat changes has your program experienced since earning accreditation that could affect your ability to sustain the accreditation standards?

4Strategies for Sustaining QualityMaintain a self-study mindset & engage in continuous quality improvementLook to your Accreditation Decision Report for guidance on areas to improveMaintain up to date documentation of qualityConduct routine observationsContinue to engage staff & stakeholders5Defining Self StudyWhat is Self-Study?Reflective PracticeCollaborative ProcessWhy is it important?Necessary for making improvements and sustaining quality

Self Study Never Ends

What is Self-Study?Reflective PracticeCollaborative ProcessWhy is it important?Necessary for making improvements and sustaining quality

6Ongoing Self-Study TasksBuild shared understandings of what are best practicesGather evidence of your practicesDetermine strengths & weaknessesDevelop improvement plansMake improvements & document progressEvaluate results & next steps

7Accreditation Decision Report

% Met Criteria by Standard,% Met Criteria by Group/Classroom,Commendations on Standards,Topic Areas for Ongoing Improvement, andPortfolio Feedback

8Determine Areas of Strengths and WeaknessesRefer to Accreditation Decision Report for Improvement AreasUse observations and survey dataTake an honest look at current practicesCelebrate strengthsAre we fully meeting accreditation standards?Identifying areas for improvement

9Observable Source of Evidence

Observable Criteria or IndicatorsMeetings Interactions and CommunicationsWritten/Photographic Sources of EvidenceClassroom PortfoliosProgram PortfolioFamily SurveysTeaching Staff SurveysOn-going Documentation and Observation Pre-Visit DocumentsNAEYCOn-Site DocumentsMAAPDocumentation Devise a method for updating portfolios Policies and practicesCurriculum and assessmentsNew hiresSurveysStay current with NAEYC updates

Devise a method for updating on-site and pre-visit documentation New hiresEvidence of partially met emerging indicators SurveysStay current with MAAP updates

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Observable Evidence: What can be directly seen:

RelationshipsCurriculum or ActivitiesTeaching PracticesEnvironmentsHealth and Safety Practices

12Conducting observationsBe intentional/make them a priorityBe unobtrusiveTake time to understand the contextConsider the childs perspectiveVary observation timesProvide feedback in timely mannerUse a variety of observers

13Engage StaffNew Staff:Hiring expectations : professionalism, excellenceNew staff orientation to best practicesMentoringAll Staff : Professional development goal settingIndividualTeams, program-wideLinked to annual staff evaluations14Engage StaffStaff/Team meetingsJoint problem-solving to improve specific practicesKeep up-to-date on emerging best practicesUpdate portfolios and documents together

Use NAEYC & MAAP resources Staff Surveys program evaluationTeaching Young ChildrenProfessional development resources (MnAEYC/MnSACA trainings, videos, Youtube)15Program Evaluation & AccountabilityNAEYC Topic Area 10.F: Sustaining and enhancing quality through formal program assessmentsMAAP- I.4.D.The program leadership conducts routine assessments of the environment and activities to identify areas of improvement and to celebrate program strengths. Program Evaluation should be:Regular at least annuallyCollaborative at a minimum include administrators, families, and staffComprehensive inclusive of all standardsBased on valid and reliable processes for gathering data and evidence

16Engage FamiliesEvaluation: Use NAEYC/MAAPs Family Survey (or other means) to assess families views of program at least annuallyPolicies and proceduresProgram qualityChildrens progress and learningFamily involvement and satisfactionAccountability: Report findings to families Continuous Improvement: Involve families in goal-setting for your programparticipating in the creation of a community of learners

17Engage Other StakeholdersUse NAEYC/MAAPs resources to communicate what ECE and SA quality means

Make your program visible in your community; coordinate actions with others

Keep informed & advocate for ECE and SA programming with your state and local governments

18Maintaining AccreditationEnsures programs continue to meet Standards & Criteria/IndicatorsIncreases the accountability of the accreditation systemProvides NAEYC/MAAP with up-to-date program information

19Evidence of Maintaining Accreditation

Annual ReportsSelf Reports72 Hour Notification Random Unannounced VisitsResponding to ComplaintsVerification Visits

20Congratulations on Achieving YOUR Accreditation!21

Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome. -Arthur Ashe22