Accreditation Cohorts

Is your program interested in becoming nationally accredited but you don’t know how or where to begin?
Is your program accredited but now it’s time to think about the renewal process?
An MRTQ PDN facilitated cohort may be right for you!

The cohort model follows the premise that peer learning can be a positive influence on advancing progress towards identified and shared goals. Each cohort is specific to supporting programs through either National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), or Council on Accreditation (COA) accreditation and participation is FREE!

Cohort members consist of the program owner/director or person who has the primary responsibility for the accreditation process.
A cohort provides an opportunity to develop shared understandings of the accreditation process.
Accreditation cohorts span a time period of up to 18 months, meeting monthly for 2 hours.
During cohort meetings, the group will discuss and consider the documentation needed to meet each of the accreditation standards.
Between meetings, participants are expected to work on accreditation standards.
Meetings are an opportunity to report progress, offer encouragement, brainstorm with each other and discuss challenges and accomplishments.
The facilitator has an in-depth understanding of the process and standards as defined by the accrediting organization.

MRTQ PDN has funding to assist a program with initial and ongoing accreditation fees.
To apply for assistance with NAFCC fees, click here
To apply for assistance with NAEYC fees, click here
For information about assistance with COA accreditation fees, please contact mrtq.contact@maine.edu

Participation in an MRTQ PDN accreditation cohort is voluntary and does not guarantee that a program will become accredited.