All accredited providers, even those with years of experience and degrees in early childhood education, say they learn from accreditation. They find that accreditation is not just a "seal of approval" of their current programs. Rather, accreditation gives them the opportunity to examine their homes and the way they interact with children, assuring that all the details are in place.

Providers report that accreditation is an incentive for them to improve their programs. It gives them concrete goals toward which to work. It is likely that as accreditation becomes more widespread, less experienced and less skilled providers will pursue it and will learn even more from the process.

Most accredited providers feel that accreditation gives a boost to their self-esteem. They realize all the things they are already doing right! Accredited providers say that they feel good that a national organization says they operate in a professional manner. They say that this independent confirmation also makes parents feel good about them and their child care program. Providers feel proud to hang the accreditation certificate on their walls.

Many accredited providers say that accreditation helps them feel more professional, and less like baby sitters. Accreditation helps them feel that being a family child care provider takes special skills and is not something that "just anyone" can do well. Accreditation helps providers relate to accredited professionals in other fields.

Providers also point out that even if they were to switch fields, accreditation is another "feather in their caps" and that future employers would be impressed that they pursued and received accreditation. Additionally, some providers are interested in accreditation because they think that the child care profession needs to become better established. They become accredited not because they, personally, need accreditation, but because the profession needs them to become accredited.

While many providers have a theoretical understanding of quality child care, some are not sure exactly what "quality" looks like. One provider says that accreditation gave her the tools she needs to do her job better. Providers like the fact that accreditation describes concrete components of quality which are specific to family child care, not a child care center. Accreditation is another ruler against which providers can measure themselves.

Accredited providers report that the accreditation process helps them be excited about their work and keeps their job challenging. Some accredited providers find the process just what they need to "wake themselves up." One provider re-reads the accreditation study guide whenever she feels she is "slacking off" or losing patience with the children. Accreditation may help providers stay in the field longer.

Many accredited providers ask, "What's next?" Accreditation gives providers a successful self-study experience. The more training with which they have good experiences, the more training they want to pursue. If accredited providers are not already active in their local associations, they are likely to join or start one, thus becoming part of a support network and feeling less isolated.

Many providers are interested in accreditation because is represents a higher level of quality than is required by any state. While each state's regulations for family child care are different, most just address minimal health and safety standards. Providers feel that accreditation represents a higher level of quality -- a level which states will probably never require, but which they are proud to offer, and which children and parents deserve.

Some accredited providers find that accreditation is a stepping stone to getting more involved with family child care issues in their community, state, or at the national level. These providers feel that accreditation gives them the confidence to be seen as leaders in the family child care field. They enjoy meeting and networking with other accredited providers at local, state, and national conferences. Additionally, accredited providers are often mentors for providers going through the accreditation process.

While most parents are not yet asking providers if they are accredited, accredited providers tell parents they are, and describe what it means. They tell parents that a validator and parent have each observed their program and agreed that the provider offers quality child care. They tell parents that accreditation is a process, not just a one-time workshop. Parents seem impressed by accredited providers' commitment to the field. Providers also think accreditation helps them with marketing because "people see you the way you see yourself." If providers feel confident about their programs, parents will notice.

Some accredited providers raise their fees because they feel more confident about the quality of their programs. Accredited providers' incomes may also go up because their communication skills improve and they are more likely to get paid by all their parents on time and to keep all their spaces filled.

For more information about accreditation, contact:

Child Care & Nutrition, Inc. (CCNI)
P.O. Box I - 324 North Norman
Ivanhoe, Minn. 56142
507-694-1499
1-800-634-3359

National Association for Family Day Care
1331-A Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Suite 348
Washington, D.C. 20004
1-800-359-3817

For convenience, the term "accreditation" is used to refer to accreditation, credentialing, and other forms of provider certification.

These reasons were suggested by accredited providers during interviews at Family-to-Family sites across the United States. The Family-to-Family Project is a seven-year initiative which is increasing the quality of family child care by supporting training, accreditation, and consumer education in 30 communities across the country. The Families and Work Institute is conducting an evaluation of the project.