Become Parents’ First Choice for Enrollment

Yes, NECPA originated in the U.S., but today it’s a global quality standard, with accredited centres in Japan, Spain, and across North America. Through ACE, Canadian operators now have access—bringing international best practice to our sector.

No. Licensing is the minimum requirement for everyone. NECPA is a voluntary, higher standard that goes above and beyond regulations to showcase excellence.

NECPA is independent of government funding and politics. Standards remain stable regardless of policy shifts or party changes. That means no matter who is in power, accreditation is secure and consistent.

Accreditation proves quality. It helps you stand apart, builds parent trust, and strengthens your program with professional growth, mentorship, and resources.

ACE is a membership-driven, operator-led organization — not tied to government funding or political agendas. Because we are operators ourselves, this partnership ensures accreditation is implemented with the realities of childcare in mind, not policy ideology. Keeping this within ACE protects independence and ensures accreditation is for operators, by operators.

NECPA has over 30 years of experience and its standards are rooted in nonpartisan, evidence-based research, not government policy shifts. Its 29 quality indicators are internationally recognized and proven to improve educator practice, leadership, and child outcomes.

NECPA accreditation is grounded in decades of research. Its key – predictor model comes from Dr. Richard Fiene’s 25+ years of studies across the U.S. and Canada. The standards themselves are based on well-established national health, safety, and developmental frameworks. NECPA is globally recognized and independently validated through pilot testing of its self-assessment tools. In contrast, many government ratings have shown limited or inconsistent improvements in child outcomes, reinforcing the strength of accreditation that focuses on learning interactions, program excellence, and continuous improvement.

Regulations set the baseline, but accreditation is about going above and beyond. Government improvements are often slow and change with politics. NECPA provides a stable, nonpartisan, operator-led system that elevates quality now, without waiting years for political processes.

Regulations set the baseline, but accreditation is about going above and beyond. Government improvements are often slow and change with politics. NECPA provides a stable, nonpartisan, operator-led system that elevates quality now, without waiting years for political processes.

No. Every licensed program must meet regulations. Accreditation is voluntary for those who want to show they go beyond the minimum. Parents benefit because they can clearly see which centres are investing in higher standards and professional growth. Accreditation isn’t about taking away access; it’s about giving parents transparency and choice. All centres must meet regulations, but accreditation highlights those that are willing to invest in continuous quality improvement. Families deserve to know which programs go further.

Absolutely not. ACE represents all licensed models — nonprofit, for-profit, and home-based programs. Accreditation is not about profit; it’s about quality of care and putting children first. It’s about trust, safety, and raising the bar across the sector.

Regulations are important, but they only set the baseline. Improving regulations is slow, political, and inconsistent across provinces. Accreditation is immediate, voluntary, and operator-led. It allows programs to demonstrate excellence today, not wait for government change tomorrow.

Accreditation is an investment, not an expense. It builds credibility with families, strengthens your staff through professional development, and positions your centre as a leader in quality. Parents are looking for transparency and assurance — accreditation provides exactly that.

Demand may be high today, but parents are becoming increasingly discerning. Accreditation is about more than filling spots — it’s about building long-term trust, reputation, and resilience for your centre. Accreditation demonstrates that you don’t just meet the minimum; you strive for excellence.

NECPA is independent, peer-driven, and not government funded, which keeps the process impartial. Fees are structured to be accessible, with supports for small, rural, and home-based programs. Think of it as part of your quality growth strategy — one that strengthens your program and provides tools you can use every day.

Accreditation only has meaning if it’s voluntary and pursued by those committed to higher standards. If it were automatic or open to everyone without commitment, it would no longer set programs apart. This is about showcasing leadership in quality.

Accreditation helps educators by shining a light on the value of their work and contributing to the professionalization of the sector. It opens doors to ongoing professional development and mentorship, ensuring staff feel supported and have opportunities to grow in their practice. By linking quality outcomes directly to educator training and stability, accreditation also gives operators a stronger case to advocate for improved wages and working conditions. Just as importantly, the process boosts morale and retention, since accreditation formally recognizes and invests in the role educators play in delivering high-quality care.

Previous government-run accreditation systems were tied directly to funding or political priorities, which meant that when governments changed or budgets shifted, programs risked losing both the accreditation framework and the financial supports attached to it. That instability left operators and educators vulnerable, with quality measures rising and falling depending on politics.

NECPA is different. Because it is independent of government funding and politics, it provides stability and credibility that doesn’t disappear with a change in party power. Accreditation under NECPA is pursued for the right reasons — to prove excellence, strengthen programs, and build trust with families — not simply because there’s a cheque attached.

While financial incentives might encourage participation in the short term, they can create a “checkbox” mentality where the focus becomes the grant rather than quality. Voluntary accreditation ensures that only operators who are truly committed to raising the bar participate, which gives families more meaningful assurance that their centre has invested in excellence, not just compliance.

In the long run, this model is actually stronger for staff as well. By demonstrating program quality, educator development, and stability through accreditation, operators can make a clearer case for better wages, staff benefits, and funding supports at the policy level — tied to proven outcomes, not political cycles.

Accreditation doesn’t replace funding or regulation. It’s an additional, voluntary tool to raise quality across the sector. By showing leadership and proving excellence, operators can advocate more strongly for sustainable funding and recognition for staff wages across all models.

Accreditation goes hand-in-hand with ACE membership, which offers operators access to group benefits that can include health, dental, and wellness supports. These benefits help attract and retain qualified staff by giving educators the security and recognition they deserve.

Recruitment and retention are some of the greatest challenges in childcare. Accreditation shows educators they are valued and working in a program committed to excellence. Centres that invest in quality through accreditation and offer access to ACE’s benefits, professional supports, and recognition are more likely to keep dedicated staff long-term.

Accreditation requires ongoing professional development and training, which means educators in accredited centres are continually growing in their skills and practice. This is not about meeting a one-time bar — it’s about continuous improvement. Educators benefit from mentorship, access to evidence-based practices, and a professional framework that validates their expertise.

Accreditation recognizes the central role of educators in delivering quality care. It professionalizes the workforce, supports staff with real tools and benefits, and provides a structure that ties high-quality outcomes to the training, stability, and well-being of educators. In short, it shows staff that their work isn’t just valued — it’s essential.

Yes — every licensed program must meet minimum government standards. Accreditation is different. It goes above and beyond licensing to show a program’s commitment to excellence, not just the minimum.

The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) is a respected, independent quality body with over 30 years of experience. It’s trusted in centres around the world — from the U.S. to Japan and Spain — and now available in Canada through ACE.

Because it’s about trust and transparency. Accreditation looks at the things parents value most: teacher-child interactions, learning experiences, health and safety, and family engagement. When you see that a program is accredited, you know it has met a higher standard of care.

No. NECPA is independent from government funding and politics. That means even if governments or policies change, the quality standards stay the same — families can always count on it.

It means your child is in a program that’s committed to going beyond the basics — delivering the safest, most supportive, and highest-quality environment possible.

All licensed programs meet minimum government requirements. Accreditation is voluntary — it’s for programs that want to show they go further. Parents should see accreditation as a signal of excellence: a program that chose to invest extra time and resources to prove its quality.

NECPA accreditation has been trusted for more than 30 years internationally, and its standards are based on independent, nonpartisan research. It is not tied to politics or government agendas, which means families can rely on it no matter what changes in policy or funding happen in their province.

Accreditation strengthens staff support through mentorship, training, and access to professional development. Educators in accredited centres are recognized for their expertise, which leads to greater job satisfaction and retention. For families, this means more stability — the same trusted faces caring for their children each day.

Accreditation strengthens staff support through mentorship, training, and access to professional development. Educators in accredited centres are recognized for their expertise, which leads to greater job satisfaction and retention. For families, this means more stability — the same trusted faces caring for their children each day.

No. Accreditation is not about charging families more — it’s about giving them greater confidence and transparency. Operators choose to pursue accreditation because they believe in excellence. Families benefit by knowing their centre meets a higher, voluntary standard of care without additional burden on parents.