Early childhood programs accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the Academy's Criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the Criteria. (A copy of the Criteria can be obtained from the Academy.)

In 1996, FACE Children's Center became the first program in Natick, Massachusetts to become accredited.