| 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 that 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. |
1. Providers
Learn From the Process. All accredited providers,
even those with years of experience and graduate 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. |
2. Increases Providers'
Self-Esteem. 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 programs.
Providers feel proud to hang the accreditation certificate
on their walls. |
| 3. Makes Providers
Feel More Professional. Many accredited providers
say that accreditation makes them feel more professional
- less like babysitters. Accreditation makes them feel
that being a family child care provider takes special
skills and is not something that 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 "went the extra mile." Additionally,
some providers are interested in accreditation because
they think that the profession needs to be established.
They become accredited not because they personally need
accreditation, but because the profession needs them
to become accredited. |
4. Gives Providers
a More Concrete Definition of Quality in Family Child
Care. 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 that accreditation describes concrete components
of quality that are specific to family child care, not
a child care center. Accreditation is a ruler against
which providers can measure themselves. |
| 5. Keeps Providers
Excited About Their Work. Accredited providers report
that the accreditation process helps make them excited
about their work and keeps their job challenging. Some
accredited providers find the process just what they
need to "wake them themselves up." One provider re-reads
the accreditation study guide whenever she is "slacking
off" or losing patience with the children. Accreditation
may help providers stay in the field longer. |
6. Encourages Providers
to Pursue Ongoing Training and Support. 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. |
| 7. Promotes Higher
Quality Than State Regulations. Many providers are
interested in accreditation because it represents a
higher level of quality than is required by any state.
While each state's regulations for family child are
are different, most just address minimal health and
safety standards. Providers feel that accreditation
represents a higher level of quality - a level that
states will probably never require but that they are
proud to offer and that children and parents deserve. |
8. Accredited
Providers Become Leaders in the Field. 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. |
| 9. Helps Providers
Market Their Programs to Parents. While most parents
are not yet asking provider 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
she provides 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 they feel confident about their
programs, parents will notice. |
10. Helps Some Providers
Earn More Money. 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 parents communication skills
improve and they are more likely to get paid by all
their parents on time and keep all their spaces filled. |
|
For convenience, the term "accreditation"
is used to refer to accreditation, credentialing,
and other forms of provider certification.
|
