Accreditation Quality Improvement Support (AQIS)

OEC created AQIS as a quality improvement support for licensed child care centers, group homes, and license-exempt child care programs. We recently expanded to serve licensed family child care homes as well. AQIS offers providers access to a team of staff with expertise in continuous program improvement using the NAEYC assessment items as the framework for growth.

AQIS supports are open to all child care providers interested in quality improvement, whether or not the program is actively pursuing or maintaining NAEYC Accreditation. Best practices are good for everyone! 

AQIS supports for providers seeking NAEYC Accreditation 

General supports

Some AQIS supports are available to all providers.

• Study groups to explore NAEYC’s best practice standards 
• Professional development activities that connect to best practices 

See up-to-date schedules for FREE AQIS professional development:

• Professional development opportunities for July through September 2025. 
• Professional development opportunities for October through December 2025.
• All individuals attending a training must enroll. Instructions for enrolling can be found here.  

OEC covers NAEYC Accreditation fees

Learn how to get your NAEYC accreditation fees covered.

Individualized supports

If your program is working toward NAEYC accreditation (or maintaining it), you can apply at specific times for individualized quality improvement support. Accepted programs are matched to a designated technical assistance provider, also called an AQIS facilitator.  

Your program commits to:  

• A monthly visit with an AQIS facilitator to work on your program’s NAEYC Accreditation timeline and program improvement plan  

• A monthly support group meeting to learn about NAEYC updates and develop a support network of peers 

Your program can expect: 

• Phone and email access to an AQIS facilitator for NAEYC Accreditation support 
• Priority access to free professional development 

Fall 2025 Applications are due October 2!  

• Learn more about the application process.  
• Download the Fall 2025 Application (Spanish) in MS word format. 

To learn more about the NAEYC Accreditation process and available support, join one of the NAEYC Accreditation Overview Sessions: 

• Virtual (statewide): Thursday, September 11, 2025, 4:00-6:30 PM, click here to register. 
• Virtual (hosted by ACES/CREC): Friday, September 12, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM, click here to register. 
• Virtual (hosted by EASTCONN/LEARN): Thursday, September 4, 2025, 9:00 – 11:30 AM, click here to register. 
• Virtual (hosted by CES): Monday, September 15, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, click here to register. 
• Virtual (hosted by EdAdvance): Thursday, September 11, 2025, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, click here to register. 

Learn more about the NAEYC Accreditation process including recent NAEYC Accreditation system changes.

Find AQIS facilitators in your area

• Questions about free supports for your program?  

• Questions about the NAEYC accreditation process?   

• Need more information about AQIS?   

Use our interactive map or the dropdown to find contact information for the AQIS facilitator in your area.

Select a town or click on the map below… 

Get support from NAEYC

Visit the NAEYC website for full details and information.