OEC created AQIS as a quality improvement support for licensed child care centers, group homes, and license-exempt child care programs. It 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
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 April through June 2025.
- All individuals attending a training must enroll. Instructions for enrolling can be found here.
OEC covers NAEYC Accreditation fees
The OEC has again partnered with NAEYC to offer a process for OEC to pay NAEYC Accreditation fees due through June 30, 2026 for Connecticut early care and education programs.
NEW, easy to follow instruction for updated NAEYC early learning portal; there are no forms to complete!
- If your program was a registered user of the NAEYC portal or OEC funding support before Feb. 15, 2025, follow these step-by-step instructions to have OEC cover your NAEYC fees.
- If your program is NEW to NAEYC, follow these step-by-step instructions to have OEC cover your NAEYC fees.
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 can get:
- A monthly visit to work on your program’s NAEYC Accreditation timeline and action plan
- A monthly group support meeting to make sure your program has NAEYC updates and content best practices
- Phone and email access to your AQIS facilitator for NAEYC Accreditation support
- Priority for program staff in free professional development
Learn more about the NAEYC Accreditation process including upcoming NAEYC Accreditation planned system changes here.
Find AQIS facilitators in your area
To find contact information for the AQIS facilitators in your area, use our interactive map or the dropdown.
Get support from NAEYC
Please visit the NAEYC website for full details and information. Here are some common questions from our AQIS overviews and related links.
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