Provide Child Care
To become a child care provider you first need to decide if you want to open a business in your home or if you want to create a center-based business. Below is a definition of each type of business:
- Family Child Care – You may provide care for up to 8 children in your home
- Large Family Child Care – You may care for up to 12 children in your home
- Child Care Center – You may provide care in a facility outside of your home that is zoned to be used as a child care center. The number of children you serve is dependent upon the square footage of the building.
Anyone who is interested in starting a child care business in a home or center is required to take the face-to-face orientation training. Please contact the Office of Child Care Regional Licensing Office to schedule the Orientation Training.
To prepare for your orientation session, you may wish to view the online orientation preview. This does not replace the face-to-face orientation session you are required to attend at your Regional Office of Child Care.

Health & Safety
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Governor Hogan Announces $50 Million For Additional Child Care Stabilization Grants
On January 17th, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland will provide an additional $50 million in grant funding to support child care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Child care is one of our most essential services, and keeping facilities open and available to parents with minimal disruption…
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3 Ways to Help Young Children Respect and Accept Diversity
Encouraging friendships and social interactions among all the diverse young children in your classroom is more important than ever. Studies show that the roots of bullying take hold in early childhood, during the critical first years of attitude development. The message is clear: To reduce the high incidence of bullying…
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MSDE Announces Second Round of Child Care Stabilization Grant Applications
Additional $125 Million in Funding Provided by American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 for Eligible Child Care Programs The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced today that it will open the application window for the second and final round of Child Care Stabilization Grants on January 3, 2022. MSDE…
Tuesday Tidbits is a bi-weekly email sent to licensed child care providers with news, announcements, updates, deadline reminders, and other time-sensitive messages.
