Maryland EXCELS Reports Increase in Bonus Recipients

Maryland EXCELS, a quality rating and improvement system offering support and incentives to child care providers to grow and enhance their services, reports that in July 2024, the program awarded bonuses to 154 licensed child care centers and registered family child care homes. This is a significant jump from July 2023, when 53 programs were awarded bonuses within the month-long period.

The bonus amounts range from $1,000 to $13,500 and are awarded to child care programs that publish any quality ratings for the first time, raise their quality ratings, or republish a quality rating of 4 or 5.

These financial bonuses are one of the incentives offered by Maryland EXCELS to support the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Blueprint goal of increasing the number of quality early childhood programs throughout the state. The increase in bonus awardees indicates that 101 more child care programs published first time, higher, or republished quality ratings of 4 or 5 in the last month than at this same time last year.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a strategic plan to enhance public education across the state. It emphasizes the importance of early childhood education as a foundation for preparing children for success when entering school. Therefore, it remains committed to ensuring child care and Pre-K programs maintain high-quality levels of care and education to best establish and nurture this foundation. Support and incentives from Maryland EXCELS aid providers in accomplishing this goal.

Maryland EXCELS features a rating system from 1 to 5 that evaluates the quality of child care services according to national standards in five specific areas: licensing and compliance, staff qualifications, accreditation and rating scales, developmentally appropriate learning and practice, and administrative policies and practices.

Providers may increase their quality rating as they improve in these areas, making them eligible for bonuses and other benefits. They can connect with a Quality Assurance Specialist for personalized guidance in understanding and boosting this rating.

“As part of Maryland EXCELS, our staff members continuously assess the quality of our current program and find ways to improve it for the benefit of the children and families involved,” said Amanda Beacham, Program Director of Littlest Learners Child Development Center at Carroll Community College. The child care center maintained a quality rating of 5, qualifying them for the Maryland EXCELS bonus. “Receiving the bonus each year gives us an opportunity to purchase additional items that help us expand our program while meeting the nationally recognized quality standards in child care and early education.”

Cristy Morrell, Executive Director of Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers, said that the Maryland EXCELS bonus is a “game changer” for child care providers. The child care center received the bonus this year after republishing a quality rating of 5.

“This funding helps centers raise their standards, ensuring kids receive the best care possible in safe and nurturing environments,” Morrell said. “It’s all about giving our little ones a great start by supporting the teachers who care for them every day. With EXCELS bonuses, providers can invest in better training, resources, and facilities. That means children are more engaged, learning, and growing in spaces designed just for them. In the end, everyone benefits—families can trust their children are in good hands, and providers can focus on what they do best.”

No application is necessary for Maryland EXCELS participants to receive a bonus. If eligible, the provider will receive the payment automatically. Recipients can spend the bonus at their program’s discretion.

As of August 2024, 6,677 child care programs and providers participate in Maryland EXCELS, amounting to 70% of all licensed programs throughout the state. Of these participating providers, 4,640 of them published quality ratings. Families seeking a quality child care program can search the Maryland EXCELS directory to find a center or family home that participates in this program, demonstrating a commitment to providing high-quality child care services.

Maryland EXCELS offers professional development resources that can assist in the continuing enhancement of a program as well as an increase in quality rating level. Participants can also look forward to certain discounts, marketing and advertising opportunities, targeted technical assistance, and free training.

Licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, Head Start programs, and public prekindergarten programs are eligible to participate in Maryland EXCELS. You can apply to participate in Maryland EXCELS once you create an online account.

Looking for more assistance in getting started with Maryland EXCELS? Review online tutorials that can help you get the most out of this opportunity.