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Upcoming Push to Pre-K Information Sessions Offer Grant Assistance

The Push to Pre-K initiative launched by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Office of Early Learning and Instruction offers support, training, and resources for early childhood educators and child care providers interested in the Maryland Prekindergarten Expansion Grant and Blueprint formula funding for Pre-K. Providers who would like to learn more about the grant, including the application process, can attend one of the upcoming virtual information sessions.

Push to Pre-K shows child care providers how to expand their services using funding from the State Pre-K Expansion Grant as well as how to simplify the grant application process. The support from this initiative includes virtual sessions with representatives from the Office of Teaching and Learning, online resources, technical assistance, and more.

The Pre-K Expansion Grant provides State funding to local education agencies, qualified vendors (as defined in COMAR (13A.06.02)), and private providers, including family child care programs, child care centers, and Head Start programs, to administer Pre-K programs. With assistance from the grant, providers and educators can expand their businesses and ensure they maintain high-quality standards in their Pre-K program.

Bill Hudson, Executive Director of Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland and Project Director of the ASPIRE Pre-K Program, explains the benefits of State Pre-K funding for family child care providers.

“At the Alliance, we are huge advocates for integrating family child care providers (FCC) into Maryland’s Pre-K system,” Hudson said. “Our ASPIRE Pre-K program supports nearly 60 providers across 17 counties, demonstrating that FCC can do this work and do it well. Participation in Pre-K can boost income and elevate professional standing. This not only enhances the quality of education but also solidifies FCC’s role as an essential educator in early childhood education. Joining the Pre-K system expands professional development opportunities and strengthens community connections, giving FCC the opportunity to shape the early childhood educational landscape in Maryland.”

The Pre-K Expansion Grant supports the MSDE Blueprint goal of increasing the number of quality Pre-K options for families across the state. With more Maryland Pre-K programs in place, more children can access the educational and developmental opportunities that these programs can offer. The grant also focuses on improving the quality of new and existing Pre-K programs, meaning enrolled children can see more benefits and build a stronger foundation for educational success.

School is now back in session, and the Office of Teaching and Learning is looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year and would like to invite child care providers interested in implementing a grant-funded Pre-K program to a Push to Pre-K introductory information session. During this overview, MSDE specialists will discuss what you can expect during the Pre-K grant application process and address frequently asked questions about the program.

Separate information sessions will be available for family child care providers, Head Start programs, and child care centers. The dates for each virtual session as well as a link to register are as follows:

More information sessions will take place at a later date, so check the website pushtoprek.com for updates. Future sessions will cover licensing requirements, Maryland EXCELS participation, educational program requirements, high-quality Pre-K standards, finding qualified staff members, and grant writing. The Push to Pre-K site also features resources, including recordings of previous virtual sessions, the grant information guide, and information about grant eligibility.

Each Push to Pre-K session includes dedicated Q&A portions, allowing providers to seek clarification on the components discussed. To ensure accessibility and flexibility, all sessions are recorded and shared on the Push to Pre-K webpage. Additionally, resources for each component are readily available for providers to access as needed.

If you have questions about the grant application process or other elements of the State Pre-K Expansion Grant, attend a Push to Pre-K information session or contact the Division of Early Childhood.