Quality Domains
Quality Standards
Quality Tiers
JawdaTM Accreditation
Establish Credibility, Foster Community Trust, and Elevate Excellence Standards.
JawdaTM stands as a comprehensive, five-tier quality enhancement program, allowing leaders to dramatically improve all areas of their center through meticulous evaluation across seven domains and more than 80 standards. Ascending the tiers signifies a dedication to excellence, positioning centers at the forefront of quality service, operational efficiency, and global recognition.
Get Started
01
Learn About JawdaTM
Download the brochure, and explore JawdaTM domains and standards to kickstart your journey.
02
Talk to a Quality Expert
Contact a JawdaTM representative to discuss your center's needs and outline your path to quality accreditation.
03
Begin Accreditation
Register your center with JawdaTM program and implement the step-by-step process to accreditation.
Eligible Centers
JawdaTM Accreditation is designed for a diverse array of centers dedicated to nurturing and educating children aged 0-8 years. Whether you are:
- Early Childhood Education Centers: Focused on providing foundational learning experiences.
- Daycare Facilities: Offering safe, nurturing care while parents are at work.
- Special Needs Programs: Specialized services catering to children with unique learning and care needs.
- Preschools: Preparing children for the transition to formal schooling.
- Child Development Centers: Emphasizing holistic growth and developmental milestones.
- After-School Programs: Providing additional educational and recreational activities post-school hours.
Your center plays a vital role in shaping young minds and futures. JawdaTM is here to help you excel in that mission.
Some of the Accredited Centers
House of Colors Nursery Busy Bees Nursery Sesame Street Private Nursery Talat School Australian International Nursery Chubby Cheeks Nursery Kids Academy
IDEA ELC Tomorrow Oasis Nursery Little Pearls Nursery Blooming Buds Nursery Shamah Autism Center Thought Makers School Ministry of Presidential Affairs Nursery
Kids Tent Nursery IQ Kids Nursery Aga Khan Early Learning Center Bupa Nursery International Montessori Nursery Dreamland Nursery First Steps Children’s Center
Accreditation Path: 4 Steps to Excellence
The accreditation process is a structured four-stage journey designed to elevate the standards of childhood centers:
Step 1: Self Assessment
Begin with our quality self-assessment tool to gauge your understanding and measure your center's alignment with essential quality standards.
Step 2: Quality Assurance Assessment
An expert quality assessor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your center, observing and assessing across 80 standards to provide a detailed analysis.
Step 3: Quality Improvement
Collaborate with your quality advisor to develop and execute a plan for quality enhancement, systematically addressing all areas and documenting progress.
Step 4: Quality Accreditation
After a final assessment and quality review by an international committee, your center will receive a tier level certification, recognizing your achievements.
Benefits of JawdaTM Accreditation
Quality Enhancement:
Achieve and maintain the highest care and educational standards.
Foster a culture of ongoing development and enhancement.
Recognition and Credibility:
Gain a recognizable mark of excellence and quality.
Build trust with parents and the community through verified quality standards.
Operational Excellence:
Streamline operations and improve efficiency through best practices.
Enhance safety and reduce potential risks with accredited procedures.
Competitive Advantage:
Stand out in a crowded market with accredited status.
Attract more parents and children with your commitment to accredited excellence.
Parental Engagement:
Help parents make informed decisions with transparent quality indicators.
Foster a stronger community through open dialogue about quality and care.
Orientation Workshops
Want to understand the basics of JawdaTM program? Go through these short courses.
- Language: English
- Course Length: 15 Minutes
- Course Type: Self-Paced
- Language: English
- Course Length: 10 Minutes
- Course Type: Self-Paced
- Language: English
- Course Length: 10 Minutes
- Course Type: Self-Paced
Frequently Asked Questions
The Jawda Quality Improvement and Accreditation Program is an international, tiered system for quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation designed specifically for centers serving children from birth to age 8 years. The program evaluates centers based on set standards, aiming to elevate the quality of care and education provided.
Jawda is endorsed by Childhood Education International and administered by Arabian Child. Arabian Child supports centers through the application process, helps them achieve accreditation, and ensures they maintain the required standards for continued endorsement.
The main objectives of Jawda accreditation are to help centers recognize and celebrate their strengths, share their accomplishments with the community, collaborate effectively with their teams to identify and address gaps, and ultimately achieve international accreditation that acknowledges their commitment to quality.
Jawda was established 17 years ago by an international team of experts specializing in early childhood education quality assurance. The program was meticulously developed by benchmarking educational standards across various countries and underwent extensive piloting under government supervision. Collaborations were formed with local universities, municipal governments, and ministries including Education, Social Affairs, and the Interior, as well as with research institutions and social sectors.
Additionally, Jawda is endorsed by Childhood Education International, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that has been active since 1892. This endorsement reflects Jawda’s alignment with globally recognized educational standards and practices.
Increased Occupancy
Jawda accreditation enhances your center’s reputation, attracting parents who choose their center based on quality rather than just location. First impressions during show rounds, led by well-trained teachers who can articulate the curriculum’s benefits, significantly influence new family enrollments.
Parent Satisfaction
Utilizing parent satisfaction surveys to refine marketing strategies ensures that parents’ needs are met, which enhances their overall satisfaction and promotes positive word-of-mouth.
Recruitment and Retention
A quality employment policy under Jawda accreditation makes your center a desirable place to work, attracting highly qualified teachers. Moreover, investing in staff welfare and professional development helps retain skilled educators who feel valued and supported.
Competitive Advantage
Jawda accreditation serves as a unique selling point (USP). Families seek out accredited centers, knowing they provide a high-quality learning environment that supports their children’s development effectively.
Long-term Vision
Centers with Jawda accreditation contribute to the broader Early Years vision for quality in Saudi Arabia and can serve as benchmark institutions for best practices in the region.
Extended Services and Managing Change
Leveraging training provided by Arabian Child on practice and policy administration facilitates necessary changes, helping centers excel in all areas of provision through bespoke support programs.
Identifying Gaps: Accreditation helps pinpoint areas needing improvement, allowing for targeted enhancements.
Focus and Unity: Helps align the entire team’s efforts towards common goals, improving overall educational outcomes.
Team Building: Encourages excellent team dynamics, crucial for a collaborative and supportive work environment.
Enhanced Care and Education: Elevates the quality of education and care provided to children, ensuring they receive the best possible early learning experiences.
Yes, it can. Jawda accreditation significantly boosts a center’s marketability to prospective families. It signals a commitment to high-quality education and care, making the center more attractive to parents seeking the best for their children, thus potentially increasing enrollment rates.
Absolutely. Accreditation reassures parents of the quality and safety of the education and care their children receive. It builds trust by meeting high standards consistently and transparently, which is crucial for parental peace of mind and satisfaction.
The stages for obtaining Jawda accreditation includes several key steps:
Application Form: Start by submitting an application to participate in the program.
Self-Assessment: Conduct a self-assessment to evaluate your current practices against Jawda standards.
Orientation: Participate in an orientation session to understand the accreditation process in detail.
Quality Assessment: Undergo a quality assessment that determines your center’s current tier level and provides a detailed report.
Quality Improvement Plan: Develop a quality improvement plan based on the assessment results.
Implementation: Implement the improvement plan to address identified gaps.
Accreditation: Achieve accreditation once improvements are verified and standards are met.
Yes, the scheduling for accreditation assessments is influenced by the availability of lead assessors, who visit programs during specific times of the year—typically once in the fall, spring, and winter.
To ensure a spot during these visits, centers must complete their applications at least 30 days before the planned assessor visit and are subject to slot availability and approval.
The duration of the accreditation process varies:
Self-Assessment: Takes about 20 minutes.
Quality Assessment:Takes approximately one day. After the assessment, the report is generated within 15 working days, identifying the center’s tier level.
Full Accreditation: Depending on the specific needs of the center, it usually takes between 6 to 12 months to complete the full accreditation process.
Jawda offers five tier levels of accreditation, ranging from level 1 to level 5, with level 5 being the highest. Each level represents a higher standard of quality and operational excellence.
Yes, there are certain prerequisites for applying to the Jawda program:
The center must be a licensed program and have been in operation for at least one year.
It is recommended that a good percentage of staff are qualified in early childhood education.
The center should ensure that all staff receive between 15 to 30 hours of professional development training annually.
The cost of obtaining and maintaining Jawda accreditation varies depending on several factors:
Government Support: In some regions, government subsidies may offset part of the costs. Availability and extent of support can significantly affect overall expenses.
Size of the Center: Larger centers may incur higher costs due to the scope of assessment required to cover more extensive facilities and staff.
Assessor Visits: It is cost-effective for centers to schedule their assessments during the assessor’s regular visits to the region, which typically occur three times a year. Planning around these visits can reduce travel and accommodation expenses related to the assessment process.
In certain countries, government programs may sponsor or partially sponsor the accreditation costs for early childhood education centers. However, this financial assistance is not universally available. Regardless of subsidy availability, centers benefit significantly from the accreditation process by:
Improving Program Quality: Elevating the educational and care standards.
Enhancing Efficiency: Streamlining operations and management practices.
Increasing Enrollment: Attracting more families through demonstrated quality.
Achieving Fast ROI: Centers often see a relatively quick realization of their investment through improved business outcomes and parent satisfaction.
Yes, centers with budget constraints can engage partially in the Jawda program:
Self-Assessment: This initial step is free and allows centers to evaluate themselves against the Jawda standards without any financial commitment.
Quality Assessment Only: For a smaller fee, centers can opt just to undergo the quality assessment. This assessment provides a tier level certification, indicating the current quality tier achieved by the center, without proceeding to full accreditation.
To achieve Jawda accreditation, centers must meet 80 specific standards across six key domains. These domains cover various aspects of early childhood education and operations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to quality. Each domain addresses different elements essential to providing high-quality care and education. The specifics of these standards and domains are thoroughly covered during the orientation and training sessions provided as part of the accreditation process.
The accreditation standards under Jawda are reviewed and updated annually by Childhood Education International. This review ensures that the standards remain current and incorporate the latest developments in early childhood education, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and updated technological practices. A dedicated team collaborates to adapt the standards to be future-ready, ensuring they meet both current needs and anticipate future trends.
Under Jawda standards, there is a minimum requirement that all staff participate in at least 30 hours of professional development annually. Additionally, centers must have a training and professional development plan in place. This plan ensures that the training is structured and aligns with the needs of both the staff and the accreditation standards, aiming to continuously enhance the skills and knowledge of the educational team.
Arabian Child offers comprehensive support throughout the Jawda accreditation process, including consulting and coaching sessions tailored to the specific needs of each center.
Additionally, Arabian Child organizes sessions for the community and parents to showcase the hard work and achievements of the center. These events not only celebrate the center’s accomplishments but also advocate for the importance of quality in early childhood education and help differentiate the center from others.
Once a center enrolls in Jawda, the staff will receive training focused on understanding and implementing the Jawda standards. If further training is required, Arabian Child will make recommendations based on the center’s specific needs. It is advised that centers seek training from accredited providers specializing in early childhood education, like Arabian Child, to ensure that the training meets high-quality standards and is directly applicable to the accreditation process.
Following the initial quality assessment, Arabian Child helps the center develop a tailored quality improvement plan. This plan is based on the center’s initial rating and is designed to address specific areas needing enhancement. Arabian Child’s consulting and coaching sessions support the implementation of this plan, providing guidance and expertise to ensure the center meets Jawda standards and improves its overall quality.
Meeting Staff Competency Standards: Centers often struggle with ensuring all team members meet the necessary competency standards and qualifications required for accreditation.
Curriculum Implementation: Although centers may have a developmentally appropriate curriculum, a significant challenge is producing evidence that demonstrates effective implementation aligned with their educational vision.
Community Partnerships: Many centers lack experience in forming partnerships with other organizations within the community, which can enhance learning opportunities and support.
Risk Assessment Practices: Understanding and implementing daily risk assessments as a concept, including clarifying responsibilities, can be challenging.
Environment Setup: Often, the learning environment is designed more for the convenience of the teacher rather than being child-centric, which is essential for fostering effective learning and development.
- Arabian Child provides extensive support and coaching to help centers meet accreditation standards. This includes guidance on enhancing staff qualifications and developing competencies.
- Arabian Child helps by showing practical examples and alternative solutions that demonstrate what effective implementation looks like in practice.
Achieving Jawda accreditation brings a profound sense of accomplishment and pride to the entire team. It fosters a strong sense of community within the center, as everyone feels a shared ownership of the achievement. Teachers and staff often report feeling closer to the children, gaining deeper insights into their personalities and needs. For instance, one center transformed its chaotic meal times into peaceful, engaging interactions. By rearranging the dining setup and adopting a family-style serving method, meal times became opportunities for meaningful conversations and independence-building among the children, leading to a quieter, more library-like atmosphere.
Jawda accreditation is valid for three years, but maintaining it requires continuous effort and commitment:
Regular Self-Evaluations: Conducting ongoing self-assessments helps identify areas for improvement and ensures standards are consistently met.
Feedback Collection: Regular feedback from parents and staff is crucial for continuous improvement and staying aligned with the needs of the community.
Training and Development: Keeping staff training up-to-date is essential. Committing to a training development plan ensures that staff skills remain current and effective.
Leadership Responsibilities: As a leader, it is important to maintain your role effectively, both as a business manager and academic director. Engaging with other programs, attending conferences, and learning from peers are all important for professional growth.
Professional Development: Engaging in professional development activities such as reading industry-related books, listening to podcasts, and attending workshops enhances your skills and knowledge.
Annual Submissions: Submitting an annual quality improvement plan to Jawda assessors and completing feedback forms are required to ensure the center continues to meet the accreditation standards.
Jawda accreditation standards are typically more comprehensive than the minimum licensing requirements set by local regulatory bodies. This alignment not only eases the inspection process but also enhances the center’s operational standards. Jawda is designed to exemplify best practices tailored to the specific needs of each child and community, thereby complementing local regulations without conflict.
Yes, Jawda actively collaborates with local governments and regulatory bodies. Jawda assessors have been involved in training government inspectors, developing evaluation scorecards, and piloting programs. For instance, Jawda was piloted in the UAE under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs and has also been involved in assessing early childhood centers in Saudi Arabia supervised by HRSD. This collaboration ensures that Jawda assessments are well-integrated with local standards and practices.
Jawda is highly respected and renowned within the community and among parents. It is seen as a mark of high quality and dedication to the best educational practices, which significantly enhances a center’s reputation.
Accreditation assessments are conducted by a team comprising a lead assessor and a junior assessor. The junior assessor works directly with the center, gathering necessary information and conducting evaluations, while the lead assessor oversees the process. The findings are then reviewed by a committee of experts who determine the accreditation tier based on objective evidence. This multi-tiered assessment approach ensures fairness and accuracy.
Centers are required to provide evidence supporting each criterion of the Jawda standards. This documentation typically includes operational records, educational materials (including examples of planning, observations and progress assessments), staff qualifications, and safety protocols, among other pertinent records.
Yes, the assessment process can be conducted virtually, particularly in situations where additional review is necessary or when in-person visits are not feasible. Virtual assessments follow a rigorous protocol to ensure the integrity and thoroughness of the review process.
