Where child care finds its voice
A national voice for child care owners and educators
Since 1987, NCCA has been a nonpartisan advocate for licensed child care providers. Join a national network of owners, directors and educators, with advocacy, training and member savings, including on NECPA services.
Memberships from $30 a year for individuals.
NECPA and NCCA: one family since the beginning
NECPA was founded in 1991 by leading professionals of the National Child Care Association. They wanted a reputable accreditation choice that would help every eligible program raise its quality bar.
In 2019, NCCA became a subsidiary of The NECPA Commission, Inc. Today, NECPA is NCCA's parent organization. The two share a leadership team and a mission: supporting licensed child care providers so every child receives high-quality early care and education. NECPA manages NCCA memberships, so joining is simple.
What the partnership means for you
- Member savings on NECPA accreditation and credentials (NAC and CCP)
- NCCA membership counts toward professional development requirements for national accreditation, the CDA and state QRIS
- Joint events, including Head Start East 2027, co-hosted by NECPA and NCCA
- One team to call for membership, accreditation and credentials
Advocacy, learning and savings
A voice on Capitol Hill
NCCA advocates for policies that support licensed providers, partners with national organizations, and gives members advocacy training and resources, including its annual Policy Agenda.
Learning and networking
Connect with local and national networks of owners and leaders, and keep learning through conferences and a library of 60+ recorded webinars.
Member discounts
Save on services from NECPA and industry partners, including child care management software, curriculum, payroll and HR, compliance tools, group purchasing and online training.
See the full list of partner discounts on NCCA's member benefits page.
Practical training for busy leaders
NCCA's webinar library covers the real challenges of running a child care program, including:
- Leadership
- Hiring and retaining staff
- Family engagement
- Licensing compliance
- Accreditation
- Financial incentives and tax credits
- Burnout and stress
- Classroom strategies
Recent topics
- The Hidden Compliance Gaps: Why Good Programs Still Get Cited
- What the Numbers Are Really Telling You
- Sharpen the Moment: Everyday Leadership Skills
- The Ultimate Staff Meeting
- Roots & Wings: Retaining Staff and Growing Future Leaders
Find the right membership
| Membership | Best for | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, 1 year | Owners, directors and educators | $30.00 |
| Individual, 2 years | Save by joining for two years | $50.00 |
| Program-wide | Your whole center or family child care home | $100.00 |
| Business Affiliate | Companies that serve the child care industry | $495.00 |
| State Association | State child care associations | $1,000.00 |
Become an NCCA member
Complete the form below to join or renew your membership.
Questions about membership? Email [email protected] or call 877-537-NCCA (6222).
Learn more about NCCA
Read about NCCA's mission, advocacy and board at nationalchildcare.org.