Early Childhood Education (ECE) Accreditation
High-quality early learning lays the foundation for lifelong success. WASC accredits Early Childhood Education programs—serving infants through preschool/kindergarten—to ensure safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments that support cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language growth.
Learn more
Contact Elizabeth Oberreiter, Senior Vice President at eoberreiter@acswasc.org for details and next steps.
Why accreditation matters
- Quality & care: Validates recognized standards and a supportive setting for young children.
Parent assurance: Confirms teaching and care align with best practices in child development.
Smooth transitions: Strengthens alignment with K–12 for an easier entry into elementary school.
Continuous improvement: Encourages reflection, outcome evaluation, and ongoing staff development.
Accountability & trust: Demonstrates responsibility and builds community confidence.
How the process works
Programs complete a self-study addressing WASC criteria, followed by a peer review visit with educators and families. A Visiting Committee recommends an accreditation status, which may cover the ECE program independently or as part of the whole school.
Our commitment
WASC accreditation affirms a focus on the whole child and a culture of continuous growth—so families can feel confident their program is dedicated to quality and readiness for lifelong learning.