| Parenting

Discover Informal Child Care

Did you know that you can have a trusted friend or family member care for your child and receive financial assistance to help pay for it?

In Maryland, families have several child care choices. Besides licensed child care centers and family child care providers, there’s also informal child care. This means your child is cared for by a relative, friend, or neighbor, either in your home or theirs. It’s a flexible option based on personal trust and relationships, without the need to follow strict state guidelines.

What Is Informal Child Care?

Informal child care involves someone you know and trust caring for your child. This can be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or close family friend. If the caregiver provides care for less than 20 hours per month or doesn’t receive payment, they are considered an informal provider.

Why Choose Informal Child Care?

Choosing informal child care allows your child to be cared for by someone you trust.

  • Trust and Comfort: Your child stays with someone they already know and love.
  • Flexibility: Set schedules and routines that fit your family’s needs.
  • Personalized Care: Create a care plan that’s just right for your child.

Use Child Care Scholarships to Help Pay for It!

If you need help covering child care costs, you might be eligible for the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program. This program can pay some or all of the child care expenses, even if you choose an informal provider. Your trusted friend or family member can receive payment through CCS for caring for your child.

To learn more about the CCS program, visit money4childcare.com.

How to Get Started

To use the CCS program with an informal provider:

  1. Apply for the Scholarship: You can apply for a Scholarship in the Child Care Family Portal that may cover some or all of your child care costs.
  2. Informal Provider Application: Your chosen friend or family member will need to complete an application process in the Child Care Provider Portal.

Application Process

Your provider can start by downloading the informal child care packet through the online Child Care Provider Portal. They’ll need to register for a new account first. Access the portal here.

What Does the Provider Need to Do?

The caregiver will need to complete several steps, including:

  • Fingerprinting and background checks
  • Health and safety training
  • Filling out necessary forms (both you and the provider will need to sign these)

Need Help?

If you have questions about the informal child care application, call CCS Central 2 at 1-877-227-0125 or email ccs.informalproviders@maryland.gov.