The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) is proud to bring our internationally recognized standards of excellence to the Texas early learning community. In partnership with Texas Rising Star, we offer Texas 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 Texas Rising Star system and open new opportunities for funding.

Why Choose NECPA?

National Recognition
NECPA is a trusted national accreditation with rigorous standards, aligning directly with Texas’s focus on high-quality early childhood education.
Quality & Outcomes
Accreditation with NECPA supports best practices in child development, safety, family engagement, and staff qualifications.
TEXAS Rising Stars
NECPA-accredited programs align with Texas Rising Star criteria, unlocking higher subsidy reimbursement rates, infant-toddler quality incentives, and local workforce board grants.
Here for You!
From enrollment to verification visits, NECPA provides dedicated guidance, practice-based coaching alignment, and resources to help your program succeed through our our NECPA Learn platform.

Cost

TEXAS Rising Stars

An Investment in Quality That Can Pay Off Over Time

NECPA accreditation has an upfront cost, but for Texas programs participating in Child Care Services (CCS), it can be part of a longer-term investment in quality and financial sustainability.

Texas recognizes NECPA accreditation within its Texas Rising Star program. Nationally accredited programs that meet Texas Rising Star eligibility requirements can pursue certification through a modified assessment. Once certified, programs receive higher CCS payment rates for eligible children in their care:

  • Two-Star: At least 5% higher than the rate for a noncertified program
  • Three-Star: At least 7% higher
  • Four-Star: At least 9% higher

Over time, these enhanced payments may help offset the cost of accreditation. The amount a program receives depends on its Texas Rising Star rating, local payment rates, and the children it serves through CCS.

NECPA accreditation does not automatically grant a Texas Rising Star rating or an enhanced payment rate. Your local Workforce Solutions office can help you understand the certification process and estimate what the rates could mean for your program.

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 Optional Support

For $450 per program, our cohort offers monthly facilitated support to help you understand the standards, plan your next steps, and prepare for your verification visit.

You don’t have to work toward NECPA accreditation on your own!

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