Maryland Child Office of Child Care
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Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care

The Office of Child Care (OCC) works to support and guide early education and child care so that every young child in Maryland has a strong foundation and will be ready for kindergarten. The OCC is responsible for licensing and inspecting all child care centers and family child care providers in Maryland and evaluating and approving applications for Maryland State Department of Education Child Care Trainers/Training Proposal Approval Program. The OCC also administers Maryland’s subsidized child care program for working families and the state’s Child Care Credentialing System.

The Office of Child Care’s Licensing Branch inspects and licenses all child care centers and family child care providers in the state and oversees Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship Program, the state’s Child Care Credentialing System, and Maryland EXCELS – the state’s quality rating and improvement system. The OCC maintains Regional Licensing Offices around Maryland, which are responsible for all child care licensing activities in their geographical areas.

Read about Maryland’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).

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  • Contact Us
  • File a Complaint

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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