Department of Defense (DoD) Certification and National Accreditation are required by the Military Child Care Act to attain and ensure Child, Youth and School (CYS) program quality.
Accreditation: Child Development Centers, School-Age Programs and Family Child Care (FCC) homes are eligible for National Accreditation through an external evaluation process that surpass expectations and provide high quality care for children.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children is the accrediting body for Army CYS Child Development Centers.
The National AfterSchool Association is the accrediting body for Army CYS School Age programs.
The National Association for Family Child Care is the accrediting body for Army CYS FCC homes.
Certification: DoD Certification, the equivalent of state licensing, is based upon an Army internal evaluation process to ensure Army CYS Child Development Centers, Family Child Care Homes, and School-Age Programs meet required DoD quality standards. All caregivers must meet rigid training, health, and safety standards, and are subject to unannounced inspections.