Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA)
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation
TECTA staff work with early childhood programs in Shelby and Fayette Counties to
assist in achieving accreditation. TECTA staff provide support to programs by
offering guidance, consultation, and recommendations regarding the accreditation
process. Funds are available for programs working toward accreditation for
various purposes. TECTA works with programs pursuing any national accreditation
related to children and early childhood care (i.e. NSACA, NAEYC, NAFCC).
Accreditation provides early childhood professionals with nationally recognized
criteria for high quality care and education. Accreditation is a professional,
voluntary self-study system.
Check yourself:
• Does your program strive to work beyond the minimum state licensing standards
for staff training and staff/child ratios?
• Do you (and staff) have Early Childhood Credentials such as TECTA training, CDA Credential, Associates Degree or an
Education or Business Degree?
• Does your staff have work benefits?
• Are your rooms set up in "centers" for play opportunities such as blocks,
dramatic play,
creative art, science/cooking,
manipulatives, library and
puppets?
• Do parents participate in your program?
• Does your program operate based on written policies to govern the program,
staff, and
parents?
• Is your program participating in the DHS Star program?
• Are you a Tennessee licensed Center or Family Day Home?
If you can answer "YES" to most of these questions, then you may be already exceeding state licensing and be ready to seek National Accreditation for your high-quality childcare program! If you are interested in more information, call 333-5541.
Accreditation
Assistance Request Form (Acrobat Reader required)
Services available to assist you with the Accreditation
process:
- Mentoring to programs seeking accreditation
- Financial assistance for accreditation fees
- Re-accreditation fees and related expenses
- Technical assistance on design of quality assurance plans
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