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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 05/2023 Higher rates for quality-accreditation/credential 9.24.9 • Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Accreditation • Association of Montessori International – USA (AMI) Montessori School Recognition • Cognia (formerly called AdvancED) – Early Learning Accreditation • Council on Accreditation (COA) - Child and Youth Development – Early Childhood Education (CYD-ECE) Accreditation • Council on Accreditation (COA) - Child and Youth Development - Out-of-School Time (CYD-OST) Accreditation • Council on Accreditation (COA) - Private Early Childhood or Youth Development • Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) - Early Education Center (EEC) Accreditation • Green Apple Enrichment Program Accreditation (GAEPA) • Head Start Performance Excellence and Quality Recognition Program • Ignite SAC Interim Accreditation Program* • Minnesota Afterschool Accreditation Program (MAAP) • Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (MNSAA) • National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) Accreditation • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation • National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Commission Inc. (NECPA) Accreditation • National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) *The Ignite SAC Interim Accreditation Program is an interim accreditation that is approved while a permanent accreditation is developed. Use the Minnesota Afterschool Accreditation Program (MAAP) option in MEC2 and enter a provider note. Expired accreditations MEC² will automatically send new notices to providers and families when a Higher Rate for Quality is expiring. Accrediting organizations may issue an extension of a current accreditation. Require a letter from the qualifying accrediting organization that states that the timeframe has been extended. This letter must include the extension end date. Other accreditations Centers that are not accredited by one of the above organizations are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Centers that are accredited by an organization other than the ones listed above are NOT eligible for the higher rate. Providers eligible for more than one higher rate for quality The 15% higher rate for quality is the maximum rate that can be paid to an accredited or credentialed provider unless the provider has a Four-Star Parent Aware rating. Providers with a Four-Star Parent Aware rating qualify for the 20% higher rate for quality. Providers who hold a credential/accreditation and a Three-Star Parent Aware Rating qualify for the 15% higher rate for quality. See Chapter 9.24.3 (Child Care Rates, Registration Fees, Copayments) for links to the maximum rates tables.