Maryland Child Office of Child Care

Maryland Child Office of Child Care

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Find Child Care

Child Care Information

The following links will provide information to guide you in your search for quality child care for your child.

  • Child Care Basics
  • Choosing Child Care
  • Specialized Child Care
  • Types of Care
Child Care Licensing Requirements

Learn about the licensing requirements for child care programs and see reports of a provider’s compliance to those requirements.

  • Guide to Regulated Child Care (PDF)
  • Licensing Inspection Forms
  • Child Care Program Inspection Results
  • Serious Injuries and Deaths Report (PDF)
Child Care Quality Check

Learn about programs who have committed to going beyond state regulations in providing quality child care and education programs.

  • Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Ratings
  • Maryland EXCELS: What do the checks mean? (PDF)
  • Quality Matters: The Look of High-Quality
Informal Care

Informal child care is when a person cares for a child in the family home or in their own home, receives no compensation of any kind, or provides care for less than 20 hours per month. Access informal provider reports below.

  • Informal Provider Monitoring Report (PDF)
  • Informal Child Care Monitoring Inspections
Child Care Search

Use the links below to search for child care that meets your family’s needs.

  • Find child care near your home or work
  • Head Start or Early Head Start Programs
  • Program Quality Ratings

Provide Child Care

Child Care Basics
  • Family Engagement
  • Fingerprinting Processing
  • How to Become a Family Child Care Provider
  • How to Get a License and Operate a Child Care Center
  • Licensing Regulations and Manuals
  • Child Care Scholarship
  • American Disabilities Act and Child Care
Health, Safety, and Wellness
  • Asthma and Allergy Resource Guide (PDF)
  • Basic Health and Safety Training
  • Child Abuse, Neglect, and Mental Injury (PDF)
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental Safety
    • Child Care Weather Watch Chart (PDF)
    • FAQ on Lead and Lead Poisoning (PDF)
  • First Aid
  • Medication Administration
  • Safe Sleep Practices:
    • Crib Safety Tips (PDF)
    • Crib Standards (PDF)
    • Safe Sleep Practices and Swaddling (PDF)
    • CPR, First Aid, SIDS Training Sources (PDF)
  • Transportation (PDF)
Professional Growth
  • Careers in Early Childhood
  • Maryland Child Care Credential Program
    • Training Vouchers and Reimbursements
    • Professional Development Fund
    • Quality Incentive Grant
    • Provider Grant Program
  • Maryland SEFEL Pyramid Model
  • Preventing Suspension and Expulsion (PDF)
  • Training for Child Care Providers
  • Find your Child Care Resource Center

Apply for Child Care Scholarship

Apply for Child Care Scholarship
  • Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements
  • Child Care Scholarship Application (PDF)
  • Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)

Find Services

Children and Families
  • Developmental Screening
  • Family Support Centers
  • Judy Centers
  • Maryland Child Care Resource Centers
  • Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting in Maryland
  • Parenting Support
  • Maryland Child Support Administration
  • Maryland Workforce Development
  • Visit 211
  • Special Needs
    • Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
    • Infants and Toddlers Child Find Contact List (PDF)
    • Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
    • Maryland Learning Links
    • The Parents’ Place of Maryland
    • Hearing Aid Loan Bank
Financial Assistance
  • Emergency Assistance to Families with Children
  • Energy Assistance
  • Housing Assistance
  • Homeless Services
  • Temporary Cash Assistance
Health, Wellness, & Nutrition
  • Food Supplement Program
  • Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
  • Maryland Children’s Health Program
  • Maryland Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

See How They Grow

See How They Grow

Click on the resources below to learn about your child’s development.

  • Healthy Beginnings
  • Learn the Signs. Act Early
  • Milestones Tracker App
  • Nurturing your Child’s Development

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources
  • Child Care in Maryland
  • Covid 19 Resources
  • Child Care Aware: Maryland Resources
  • Tips for Families
  • Child Care and COVID-19 Training

LINKS

  • About Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • File a Complaint

CONNECT

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  • Arabic
  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • English
  • French
  • Persian
  • Spanish
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese
  • Yoruba

PARTNERS

Maryland State Department of Education
Johns Hopkins School of Education IDEALS Institute

Apply for Child Care Scholarship

  • Scholarship Eligibility & Requirements
  • Child Care Scholarship Application (PDF)
  • Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)

Provide Child Care

Child Care Basics

  • Family Engagement
  • Fingerprinting Processing
  • How to Become a Family Child Care Provider
  • How to Get a License and Operate a Child Care Center
  • Licensing Regulations & Manuals

Health, Safety, and Wellness

  • Asthma and Allergy Resource Guide (PDF)
  • Basic Health and Safety Training
  • Child Abuse, Neglect, and Mental Injury (PDF)
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental Safety
    • Child Care Weather Watch Chart (PDF)
    • FAQ on Lead and Lead Poisoning (PDF)
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Medication Administration
  • Safe Sleep Practices:
    • Crib Safety Tips (PDF)
    • Crib Standards (PDF)
    • Safe Sleep Practices and Swaddling (PDF)
    • CPR, First Aid, SIDS Training Sources (PDF)
  • Transportation (PDF)

Professional Growth

  • Careers in Early Childhood
  • Maryland Child Care Credential Program
    • Training Vouchers & Reimbursements
    • Professional Development Fund
    • Quality Incentive Grant
    • Provider Grant Program
  • Maryland SEFEL Pyramid Model
  • Preventing Suspension and Expulsion (PDF)
  • Training for Child Care Providers

Find Child Care

Child Care Information

  • Child Care Basics
  • Choosing Child Care
  • Specialized Child Care
  • Types of Care

Child Care Quality Check

  • Child Care Program Inspection Results
  • Guide to Regulated Child Care (PDF)
  • Licensing Inspection Forms
  • Serious Injuries and Deaths Report (PDF)
  • Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Ratings
  • Maryland EXCELS: What do the checks mean? (PDF)
  • Quality Matters: The Look of High-Quality
  • Informal Provider Monitoring Report (PDF)
  • Informal Child Care Monitoring Inspections

 

Child Care Search

  • Find child care near your home or work
  • Head Start or Early Head Start Programs
  • Program Quality Ratings

Find Services

Children and Families

  • Developmental Screening
  • Healthy Beginnings
  • Early Intervention and Special Education Services
  • Family Support Centers
  • Judy Centers
  • Maryland Child Care Resource Centers
  • Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
  • Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting in Maryland
  • Parenting Support
  • Maryland Child Support Administration
  • Maryland Workforce Development
  • Visit 211

Financial Assistance

  • Emergency Assistance to Families with Children
  • Energy Assistance
  • Housing Assistance
  • Homeless Education Services
  • Homeless Services
  • Temporary Cash Assistance

Health, Wellness, & Nutrition

  • Food Supplement Program
  • Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
  • Maryland Children’s Health Program
  • Maryland Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Register for Pre-K

Register for PreK

  • Access Prekindergarten Programs

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

  • Child Care in Maryland
  • Covid 19 Resources
  • LOCATE: Child Care for essential personnel
  • Child Care Aware: Maryland Resources
  • Tips for Families