Bonus Payments for Eligible Maryland EXCELS Child Care Providers

Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Provides $5 Million in Bonus Awards

On October 20, 2022, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced the distribution of bonuses to child care programs participating in Maryland EXCELS that demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in their early education programs. As part of the transformative Blueprint for Maryland’s Future landmark legislation which expands access to high-quality child care and early childhood education in Maryland, $5 million will be distributed to Maryland EXCELS child care providers. The bonuses for this current fiscal year are triple the minimal amount established in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).

Bonuses ranging from $150 to $13,500, based on the type of program, quality rating and capacity, will be paid to child care programs participating in Maryland EXCELS. Awards are available to EXCELS providers that achieved a first-time quality rating, a higher rating, or again earned a quality rating of 5 on or after July 1, 2022. Bonus payments will continue through June 30, 2023 for achieving programs and will start being released immediately. That means, providers will start to receive funds as early as midweek next week (week of October 24, 2022). The charts indicate how bonuses will be determined:

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