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Child Care Accreditation
If you hold certain accreditations, you may be eligible to receive higher rates when serving children participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Approved accreditations
If you hold one of the accreditations below, you may be eligible to receive higher rates when serving children participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). In addition, your program can pursue a fast-track Parent Aware Rating through the Accelerated Rating Pathway process and apply for reimbursement of half of the direct cost of accreditation fees.
- Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)
- American Montessori Society (AMS) School Accreditation
- Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Accreditation
- *Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – Montessori School Recognition
- Affiliated: does not meet criteria to be an approved accreditation
- Associated: does not meet criteria to be an approved accreditation
- Recognized: meets criteria to be an approved accreditation
- Cognia Early Learning Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Out of School Time (CYD-OST)
- Council on Accreditation (COA) - Private Out-of-School time (OST)
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Early Childhood Education (CYD_ECE)
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Private Early Childhood Education
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) – Early Education Center (EEC) Accreditation
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children's Services (GAACS) - Enrichment Program Accreditation
- Ignite SAC Accreditation Program
- Lumen Accreditation from the Catholic University of America
- Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (MNSAA)
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs Accreditation
- *National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Recognition: does not meet criteria to be an approved accreditation
- Accreditation: meets criteria to be an approved accreditation
- Accreditation+: meets criteria to be an approved accreditation
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Commission, Inc. (NECPA)
- National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
Programs marked with an * have tiers of accreditation. Please see the accreditation details listed above.
Approval process
Use the CCAP Quality Differential Rate Request Form DHS-4795 (PDF) to identify qualifying credentials and/or accreditations and request the higher rate.
Become an accrediting organization
Accrediting organizations can apply to have their accreditation approved by the state of Minnesota. The application process is open each summer, with applications due by August 15. Accrediting organizations interested in applying should send an email to dcyf.ccap@state.mn.us. Read the accreditation approval process Frequently asked questions DHS-6450 (PDF) document to learn more.
Support available for becoming accredited
Reimbursement for half of the direct cost of child care center and family child care accreditation may be available. For information on the process visit the Accreditation Fee Reimbursement Request for Child Care Program (DHS-7683) (PDF). For more information, call 651-431-3809 or email ccs.ops.dcyf@state.mn.us.
Local Child Care Aware programs may have grants available to help with the accreditation process. Contact your local Child Care Aware agency by calling 888-291-9811 or visit Child Care Aware.
Accreditation Reimbursement Frequently Asked Questions
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reimburses up to 50% of eligible direct accreditation costs.
Eligible direct costs are fees paid directly to an approved accrediting body for:
- Initial accreditation application fees
- Accreditation renewal application fees
- Annual accreditation fees required to maintain accreditation
- Validation visit, verification visit, or site visit fees
- Membership fees, if the accrediting organization requires membership to be accredited
Programs may request reimbursement after becoming accredited for the first time and each time accreditation is renewed.
The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement:
- Staff salaries or substitute staffing costs
- Training or professional development expenses
- Travel expenses
- Food
- Consultant fees
- Materials, curriculum, or classroom supplies
- Membership dues, if membership is not required to be accredited.
- Late fees or penalties
- Extension fees
- Postage or mailing costs
- Technology or software purchases
- Costs not paid directly to an approved accrediting body
DCYF reserves the right to determine whether a submitted expense meets the definition of a direct accreditation cost.
Only accreditations approved by DCYF for 50% reimbursement are eligible.
Accreditations currently approved for 50% reimbursement include:
Family child care
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
Child care center
- Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE) for Early Childhood Education Programs
- American Montessori Society (AMS) School Accreditation
- Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Accreditation
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – Recognized
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – Associated
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – Affiliated
- Cognia – Early Learning Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Early Childhood Education Program Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Private Organizational Accreditation for Early Childhood Education
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) – Early Education Center (EEC) Accreditation
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs Accreditation
- National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation – Accredited+
- National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation – Accredited
- National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation – Recognized
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) Accreditation
- National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
School-age programs
- After-School Accreditation, APPLE’s accreditation for Stand Alone School Age Programs
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Child and Youth Development – Out-of-School Time (CYD-OST) Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Private Out-of-School-Time (OST) Accreditation
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) – Enrichment Program Accreditation (EPA)
- Ignite School-Age Care (SAC) Accreditation Program
Yes.
For accrediting organizations that offer multiple accreditation tiers, all approved tiers are eligible for reimbursement.
For example, eligible NAEYC tiers include:
- Recognized
- Accredited
- Accredited+
Eligible AMI tiers include:
- Recognized
- Associated
- Affiliated
No. Accreditation fees are eligible for reimbursement after the fees are paid.
Programs must submit:
- A completed reimbursement request form
- Proof of accreditation (certificate or award letter)
- Invoice from the accrediting body identifying the fee
- Proof of payment (receipt or canceled check)
DCYF may request additional information when an expense is unclear. Incomplete applications may delay processing.
Examples of acceptable proof of payment include:
- Paid invoice
- Receipt from accrediting organization
- Copy of front and back of canceled check
- Credit card receipt
- Bank statement clearly showing payment
Documentation must clearly identify:
- The accrediting organization
- Amount paid
- Date paid
Yes.
Programs must have a SWIFT Vendor ID to receive reimbursement payments from the State of Minnesota.
Vendor registration is required before payment can be issued. See the Accreditation Fee Reimbursement Request for Child Care Programs for more information about why to register as a vendor and how to do it.
Programs may:
- Check payment status through the SWIFT vendor system, or
- Contact Child Care Services at ccs.ops.dcyf@state.mn.us
Please allow time for review and processing before requesting a status update.
Requests may be submitted:
- By email to ccs.ops.dcyf@state.mn.us
- By mail to the address listed on the reimbursement application
Programs should submit all required documentation together to avoid delays.
If required documentation or information is missing:
- The request may be delayed
- Additional information may be requested
- The application may remain incomplete until all materials are received
Submitting complete documentation helps reduce processing delays.
Processing timelines may vary depending on:
- Volume of requests
- Completeness of application materials
- Finance processing timelines
- Need for additional verification
Requests are generally processed in the order they are received. Our goal is to process requests for reimbursement within 5 days of receipt of the completed form and documentation.
For questions regarding the Accreditation Fee Reimbursement Program, contact:
Child Care Services
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Email: ccs.ops.dcyf@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-431-3809