The main goal of the Madison Child Care Program is to support and promote high quality child care and early education for children and families in the City. 

To accomplish this, the City established a voluntary Accreditation process based on a set of quality standards.  The Standards are designed to promote the optimal development of the child.  These Standards go far beyond the mandatory licensing regulations that enforce basic requirements to protect the health and safety of children. 

The emphasis of City Accreditation is on direct observation of the program in action with children.  Observations are done by specially trained professional staff of the Madison Child Care Unit for centers and by the Satellite Family Child Care System for family child care homes.  These child care and education professionals spend many hours observing programs and the way the child care staff and providers respond to children and how they handle situations to assure that the standards are being met. 

To become accredited centers and family child care homes go through a thorough review process.  The 

Madison Accreditation Program evaluates: 

• The kind and quality of attention children receive from adults
• The activities, environment and materials offered to children
• The language and learning experiences provides                                    
• The communication with parents
• The health practices
• The administrative practices

The Madison Accreditation Program offers training and consultation services to help child care programs and providers meet the City Accreditation Standards.  Only Madison-accredited centers and homes may serve parents on City Child Care Assistance.

Accreditation is renewed annually and the accreditation staff are available for consultation between reviews.  Staff also investigate complaints and concerns of parents. 

Centers and homes are proud to earn City Accreditation and the right to call themselves Accredited by the City of Madison. 

As you look for care for your child, ask whether the center or home is accredited by the City of Madison.  Our children deserve the best.

For more information about Madison Accreditation, call the Office of Community Services at 266-6520.