Myth: Programs cannot receive accreditation if staff do not meet the educational requirements of Standard 6.
Fact: Staff qualifications are always assessed but are not a required criterion. The new scoring rules for achieving accreditation: programs must meet at least 60% per standard with an average of 80% across all standards and 100% of required criterion. If your program does not meet this criterion but meets at least 60% of all other criterion within Standard 6, you can achieve accreditation, remembering to also meet at least 80% across all 10 standards.
Frequently missed item – 6A.15 Show or describe how the program's staff schedules show that staff who work directly with children for more than four hours receive a 15-minute break for each four-hour period.
This item is frequently missed when documenting the break time for employees who work 8 hours or more. If an employee works 8 hours or more, the documentation should show that the employee received a 15-minute break for each four-hour period. If an hour lunch time is provided instead of two 15-minute breaks, the evidence must be clear that the two 15-minute breaks are included in that lunch time break.
Program wide Professional Development Plan (PPDP) Tips:
- Focus on content rather than policy for your evidence
- Show that it is systematic and part of your procedures
- Show don’t describe – make sure you have enough evidence that illustrates not simply a description of what you do
- Make sure to date specific items For Example - 6D13- Show that you update your written, program-wide professional development plan at least annually or as needed.
