My program is nationally accredited. How does that align with FOCUS requirements?

If your program is nationally accredited through an accrediting body recognized by ECECD, you already qualify as a 5 Star quality program. As of November 1, 2025, ECECD has added Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and American Montessori Society (AMS) to the approved national accreditation list. In addition, Early Head Start and Head Start grantees will be accredited at the 5 Star level. In addition to Head Start and Early Head Start, ECECD currently accepts the following national accreditation bodies as 5 Star programs within the FOCUS system:

Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI)

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)

American Montessori Society (AMS)

Council on Accreditation (COA)

International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA)

National Accreditation Commission (NAC)

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)