The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) is proud to bring our internationally recognized standards of excellence to the Maryland early learning community. In partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), we offer Maryland childcare providers a trusted path to quality recognition that aligns with the state’s focus on high-quality early learning. 

By pursuing NECPA accreditation, your program joins a global network committed to the highest benchmarks of safety, curriculum, and professional development while creating a pathway to advance through the Maryland EXCELS system and open new opportunities for funding.

Accreditation through the NECPA is available to both centers and family child care educators. Quality grows in all settings, start your journey today.

Why Choose NECPA?

National Recognition
NECPA is a trusted accreditation with rigorous standards, aligning with Maryland's focus on high-quality early learning.
Quality & Outcomes
Accreditation with NECPA supports best practices in child development, safety, family engagement, and staff qualifications.
Maryland EXCELS
NECPA-accredited programs are eligible to increase their Maryland EXCELS level, leading to greater recognition and opportunities for state funding.
Here for You
From enrollment to verification visits, NECPA provides guidance and resources to help you succeed through our online NECPA Learn platform.

Cost

MSDE National Accreditation Support Fund

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) offers the National Accreditation Support Fund to help programs offset the costs of achieving high-quality recognition.

This fund is specifically designed to cover your NECPA accreditation fees, including:

  • Initial Enrollment & Verification Fees: Your full initial costs are eligible for coverage at the time of enrollment.
  • Annual Reporting Fees: Funding is also available for your required annual reports in years two and three of your award term.

Eligibility

The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) is designed for both family child care homes and center-based early childhood programs.

In order to enroll in the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) a program must:

  • Be licensed, in good standing by their state child care licensing agency, home or center-based.
  • Be licensed for a minimum of 1 year.
  • Serve children younger than 5 years old. If serving school-age and preschool, the majority of enrolled students must be 8 years old or younger.

Let’s Get Started!

Step 1

Enroll in NECPA

Enroll online with NECPA and begin your accreditation journey.

Step 2

APPLY for FUNDING

Submit your request for funding through the Maryland OneStop Portal. Check out our submission worksheet to help you with your documentation uploads.

Need help with the OneStop Portal?

Watch our helpful video to

guide you through each step.

Partnerships

Maryland State Child Care Association (MSCCA)

NECPA is proud to partner with MSCCA, the Maryland affiliate for the National Child Care Association (NCCA). Through this partnership, MSCCA members who choose to join NCCA receive membership certificates and access to the national network, resources, and support available through NCCA.

Together, NECPA and MSCCA are committed to supporting and strengthening the early childhood profession across Maryland.

Resources

Standards Book and Resource Guide
The NECPA Standards Book and Resource Guide is a practical resource designed to help both family child care homes and center-based programs understand and implement NECPA standards. It provides guidance, examples, and helpful tools to support programs throughout the accreditation process and continuous quality improvement journey.
Download the Standards Book & Resource Guide
Self-Assessment Instrument
The NECPA Self-Assessment Instrument (SAI) is a step-by-step tool designed to help both family child care homes and center-based programs evaluate their current practices against NECPA standards. The SAI guides programs through the accreditation process by identifying strengths, areas for growth, and documentation needed to support continuous quality improvement and accreditation readiness.
Download the Self-Assessment Instrument
Libro de Estándares y Guía de Recursos
El Libro de Estándares y Guía de Recursos es una herramienta práctica diseñada para ayudar tanto a hogares de cuidado infantil familiar como a programas de cuidado infantil en centros a comprender e implementar los estándares. Proporciona orientación, ejemplos y recursos útiles para apoyar a los programas durante el proceso de acreditación y el mejoramiento continuo de la calidad.
Descargar el Libro de Estándares y la Guía de Recursos
Instrumento de Autoevaluación
El Instrumento de Autoevaluación (SAI) es una herramienta paso a paso diseñada para ayudar tanto a hogares de cuidado infantil familiar como a programas de cuidado infantil en centros a evaluar sus prácticas actuales según los estándares. El SAI guía a los programas a lo largo del proceso de acreditación ayudando a identificar fortalezas, áreas de crecimiento y la documentación necesaria para apoyar el mejoramiento continuo de la calidad y la preparación para la acreditación.
Descargar el Instrumento de Autoevaluación

Are You Ready?

Take the next step toward quality, enroll today and begin your accreditation journey with NECPA.
Enroll Today