This issue highlights key updates and enhancements coming to the new accreditation system, including first-year implementation learnings, upcoming revisions to critical incident policies and guidance, adjustments to select required practices, and a preview of the new ELP Hub document submission experience designed to simplify evidence upload and management for programs.
What’s New
Looking Ahead: Continued Improvements to the Accreditation System
As we continue implementing the new accreditation system, we’ve been listening closely to program feedback, monitoring first-year implementation trends, and identifying opportunities to improve the overall experience. Based on those learnings, programs can expect several enhancements throughout 2026 across three key areas:
Content & Assessment Items
Required item revisions and clarifications coming this spring
Continued enhancements to assessment item language and guidance for greater clarity and consistency
Process & Terminology
Adjustments to renewal process timelines and communications
Updated terminology that better reflects the intent and continuous quality improvement focused design of the new system
Technology & Infrastructure
New document submission experience in the Early Learning Program (ELP) Hub coming in June
Enhanced decision reports planned for later this year to improve transparency and usability
Additional details, resources, and implementation timelines will continue to be shared throughout the year in Program News and on our webpage.
Important – Take Note!
Accreditation+ Programs Waiting for a Site Visit Will Receive Automatic VUD Extensions
Programs that are waiting for their Accreditation+ site visit and final decision will automatically receive month-by-month extensions to their Valid Until Date (VUD) at no cost while the visit and decision process is completed.
Celebrations
Congratulations to The Goddard School of Moore, Oklahoma for becoming the first program to achieve Accreditation+ through the new accreditation system in March 2026!
This milestone reflects the dedication and commitment of the program’s leadership and staff to high-quality early learning and continuous improvement. We are excited to celebrate this accomplishment and thank the team for being part of the first year of implementation of the new system.
Coming This Year: Clearer Guidance & Updates to Critical Incident Policy
As part of our continued implementation of the new accreditation system, we are updating critical incident policies, definitions, and quality assurance processes based on Year One implementation feedback. These refinements are intended to provide clearer expectations, strengthen consistency and accountability, and better support continuous quality improvement across the accreditation system.
Programs can expect:
Revised critical incident definitions and reporting guidance
Clearer expectations for what incidents must be reported
Updated supervision guidance and reporting thresholds
Refinements to the scope and severity review process used to evaluate substantiated incidents
Adjustments to select required items related to health, safety, and child guidance practices
Continued training, technical assistance, and communication to support implementation
These updates are intended to strengthen consistency, support program understanding, and help programs feel more confident navigating expectations within the new system.
Documentation supports and training opportunities will continue to be shared throughout 2026. Summer support sessions will provide guidance, discussion, and Q&A as programs prepare for implementation.
The new expectations will take effect on July 1.
Coming Soon: Easier Document Submission in the ELP Hub
In June 2026, we plan to launch a new ELP Hub feature that will allow programs to submit and manage document-based evidence directly within the Hub for both Recognition and Accreditation.
With this update:
Programs will upload required documentation directly in the ELP Hub
Program administrators with ELP Hub access will automatically have access
Programs will no longer need to use a separate platform
The overall submission experience will be more streamlined and user-friendly
Programs already submitting evidence in the current platform (Survey Monkey Apply) will remain there until their review is complete.
The new experience will apply to:
New Recognition applications started after launch
New Accreditation applications started after launch
Renewal applications started after launch
To support this transition, review the following resources:
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