The following sequence of procedures must be followed by individuals seeking accreditation for the educational programs in their centers.

1. The educational director informs the Executive Director of the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) that he or she would like to apply for Preparation, Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for their program.
2. The educational director of the center downloads an initial application for Pre-Kindergarten from the GAC website: www.coe.uga.edu/gac. A list of approved consultants is also on the website. (Those centers already listed with the GAC will be mailed an application form each year).
3. The educational director of the center sends the Executive Director of the GAC a completed application, including the name of a preferred consultant and a check for $50.00 payable to the Georgia Accrediting Commission to cover the application fee. The educational director works with the consultant to secure the services of an educational director of a pre-kindergarten center who serves as a second consultant. The visiting educational director is expected to be from a center having a program accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. However, under special circumstances, the Executive Director of the GAC may approve other educational directors. An on-site visit by the two consultants is required before Accredited or Accredited with Quality status may be granted. Provisional accreditation or Preparation statuses do not require a visit by an educational director. They do, however, require a visit by the consultant.
4. The educational director of the center contracts with the approved consultant and the visiting Pre-K director for services at the rate of $250 per day each plus reimbursement of expenses for meals, lodging, and mileage at the rate paid to State employees.
5. The consultant and the visiting Pre-K director visit the program site and verify that all applicable standards are met.
6. The consultant and the visiting Pre-K director recommend to the Executive Director of the GAC the appropriate accreditation level.
7. The Executive Director of the GAC recommends appropriate action to the GAC Board of Directors. (The Executive Director of GAC has the authority to grant Preparation status).
8. If the GAC Board of Directors approves Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Quality status for the center’s program, the Executive Director will mail the educational director a certificate suitable for display. If the center is approved for Preparation status, the Executive Director of the GAC will communicate this information to the educational director in the form of a letter.
9. It is widely recognized that the owner of a company or business establishes the goals and working conditions for the unit. When ownership changes, these goals and working conditions also frequently change. Because of this reason a center may be eligible for reaccreditation for only one year after a change in ownership without another on-site visit by the consultant.