Starting a daycare business in Maryland is a great way to turn your passion for working with children into a profitable business. Before you get your daycare business off the ground and running smoothly, there are important steps you need to take to get licensed.

Starting a daycare in Maryland requires careful planning and understanding of the different licensing requirements. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of childcare licenses in Maryland and the specific requirements you must meet before operating a childcare business. We’ll also cover the application process and how to stay compliant with licensing regulations.

Do I need a childcare license in Maryland?

A childcare license or registration is required in Maryland to provide childcare services. All childcare providers are regulated by the Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care (OCC). The licensing branch has 13 regional offices responsible for all regulatory activities.

There are three types of childcare licenses available in Maryland:

• Family Child Care Home: Licensed to provide care for up to eight children in a residential home
• Large Family Child Care Home: Licensed to provide care for up to 12 children in a residential home
• Child Care Center: Childcare can be provided in a facility outside a home that is zoned to be used as a childcare center

Childcare licensing requirements in Maryland

Creating a business plan is one of the first steps to starting a daycare business. However, you must fulfill several licensing requirements before you can operate legally in Maryland. 

Family child care home licensing requirements

Provider requirements

According to the licensing manual, a family child care home provider must:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Possess a CDA credential, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree in early childhood education
• Have basic first aid and CPR training through the American Heart Association
• If providing care for children younger than 24 months old, have Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) training
• Within two years before applying for registration, complete 24 clock hours of approved training, including four clock hours in each of the six core knowledge competencies
• Completed emergency and disaster planning training
• Approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices
• Three clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Approved training in medication administration

Provider substitute must:

• Be appointed by the provider
• Be approved by the department
• Be 18 years old or older
• Apply for a federal and state criminal background check 
• Present no risk to children's health, safety, or welfare
  
  

An additional adult must:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Attend an information session presented by the department for the care of children younger than two years old
• Apply for a federal and state criminal background check
• Complete basic first aid and CPR training applicable to children younger than two years old
• Complete approved SIDS training within the previous five years

Volunteers must:

• Present no risk to children's health, safety, or welfare
• Undergo a child health and safety orientation
• Apply for a federal and state criminal background check
• Be 18 years or older to care for children under two
  
  

Capacity requirements 

• The children present in care shouldn’t exceed the capacity stated on the registration certificate
• Family child care homes may care for no more than eight children, with no more than four being younger than two years old
• The facilities may not provide care to more than two children younger than two years old unless approved by the department
• If more than two children younger than two years old are in care, an additional adult must be present

Large family child care home licensing requirements 

Provider requirements

A large family child care home director must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Complete nine hours of training in communications with parents, staff, and the public
• Complete three semester hours of administrative procedures training
• Have a national child development credential or six semester hours or 90 actual hours of child development training

A large family child care home teacher must:

• Be 19 years old or older
• Have completed approved pre service training in child development and curriculum
• Have three clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act 
• Have one year of experience working under supervision with children in a licensed childcare center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting
• Have been approved as a teacher by the Department for Early Childhood in nursery school through third grade
• Must have completed approved basic health and safety training
• If supervising a child younger than two years old, must have completed approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices

A large family childcare home aide must:

• Be 16 years or older
• Complete 90 hours or the equivalent in early childhood education pre service training

Substitutes:

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Maintain the staff:child ratios in the absence of a staff member
• Complete, sign, and submit to the department the required forms for substitutes, including permission to examine records of abuse and neglect of children
• Must apply for a federal and state criminal background check
• Must present no risk to children’s health, safety, or welfare

Support personnel

• Support personnel must carry out all duties not involving direct supervision of children e.g. food preparation and service, housekeeping, clerical, and transportation

Volunteers

• Must pass a criminal background check or a review of records of abuse and neglect of children or adults
• Must work under the close supervision of the provider or a staff member

Capacity requirements

Large family child care home providers are allowed to care for up to 12 children at any time, with no more than two children under two years old.

Same-age groups:

Groups of children younger than 2 years old:

Mixed-age groups with children younger than 2 years old:

Mixed-age groups with children 2 years old or older: 

Child care center licensing requirements

Provider requirements

A child care center director must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Must be present in a center at least half of the operating hours of the center every week
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Complete nine hours of training in communications with parents, staff, and public
• Complete three semester hours of administrative procedures training
• Complete national child development credential or six semester hours or 90 actual hours of child development training
• Complete three hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Complete six semester hours or 90 clock hours, or the equivalent, of approved pre service training, or hold the Child Development Associate National Credential
• Complete approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment

Child care teachers in preschool centers must:

• Be 19 years old or older
• Have a high school diploma, a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses for credit from an accredited college or university
• Complete six semester hours or 90 clock hours or their equivalent of approved pre service training, or hold the Child Development Associate Credential issued by the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program
• Complete three clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Complete approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment
• Have nine clock hours of approved pre service training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or at least one academic college course for credit
• Have at least one year of experience working under supervision mainly with preschoolers in a licensed child care center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting, or as a registered family child care provider caring for preschoolers; or one year of college, or a combination of experience and college together equivalent to one year

Assistant child care teachers must:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Hold a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence, or have successfully completed courses for credit from an accredited college or university
• Complete nine hours of approved pre service training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or have completed at least one academic college course for credit
• Complete approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment
• Have at least one of the following: 800 hours of recent paid or documented volunteer experience supervising groups of school-age children in educational, recreational, social, or guidance contexts; 600 hours of approved experience and 15 hours of approved college coursework; or 400 hours of approved experience and three semester hours or 45 clock hours, or their equivalent, of approved college coursework

A child care center aide must:

• Be 16 years or older
• Complete 90 clock hours or the equivalent in early childhood education pre service training
• Complete three hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities

Capacity requirements

Child care center ratio requirements:

Childcare license application in Maryland

Here are the steps when applying for a childcare license in Maryland.

Step 1: Contact your local regional licensing office

Contact your local regional licensing office to discuss obtaining a childcare facility license or letter of compliance. They’ll be your main point of contact throughout the application process and oversee activities such as:

• Processing your application
• Inspecting your facility to make sure it meets regulatory requirements
• Issuing your license or letter of compliance
• Providing you with technical assistance
• Answering any questions about regulatory issues

Step 2: Participate in an in-person orientation training

You must attend an in-person orientation training if you need any of the three types of childcare licenses. Here you get detailed information about the application process and requirements that must be met to receive a certificate of registration. 

If you need language assistance, notify the office before your orientation so an interpreter can be arranged. It’s also strongly encouraged that applicants for a Letter of Compliance attend an orientation session. This is to familiarize applicants with state and local regulations for child care.

You can also complete the orientation online: 

• Family Child Care Home Orientation 
• Large Family Child Care Home Orientation
• Child Care Center Orientation

Step 3: Submit an application 

Fill out and submit the Family Child Care Home Application (OCC 1230), Large Family Child Care Home Application (OCC 1240), or Child Care Center Application (OCC 1200) forms for initial registration 60 days or more before the anticipated opening date. The regional licensing office will review all information and decide whether your daycare can be licensed.

Reference the appropriate application checklist to ensure all required documents are included in your application:

• Family Child Care Home

• Large Family Child Care Home

• Child Care Center

You’ll also have to submit the following with the application:

• Release of information authorization
• Criminal background checks with clearance letters
• Medical evaluation report, including any required tests
• Fire inspection report
• Evidence of compliance with local building and zoning codes (U&O permit)
• Evidence of lead safe environment (certificate for pre-1978 rental property)
• Homeowner's liability insurance
• Private sewage & water inspection results
• Environmental health survey (OCC 1268)
• Swimming pool certificate
• Rabies certificate for each animal on premises
• Emergency escape plan (OCC 1261)
• Discipline policy
• Plan of operation (schedule of activities)
• Menu plan for four weeks (OCC 1218)
• Education and pre service training documentation: Check the online training calendar and the list of local child care resource and referral offices for details

The regional licensing office will issue a certificate of registration within 30 days upon successfully meeting all the requirements. You’ll also be issued a provisional certificate of registration.

Starting a daycare business in Maryland can be fulfilling, but it can also be challenging if you are a first-time business owner. In addition to obtaining your childcare license, you’ll also need to decide on a memorable name for your daycare and create a plan for your marketing strategies. An administrative software like brightwheel’s center management feature can save you time and streamline your admissions process and reporting, while keeping your operations consolidated and centralized through one app. 

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Maryland

You need to follow all laws, administrative rules, and other local and state requirements to stay compliant. On an ongoing basis, you must complete any required training sessions for staff and maintain records of this training. You must also ensure your facility complies with all applicable health and safety standards.

Maryland also requires daycare owners to renew their licenses every two years. Depending on your type of business, you’ll need to submit a center license application, a family child care home application, or a large family child care home application, along with all supporting documentation and any necessary fees.

Finally, all operating daycare centers in Maryland are subject to yearly inspections. These inspections cover the facility and its staff and must be conducted by qualified inspectors assigned by the Maryland Office of Child Care (OCC). If any violations are found, the daycare owner must take corrective action within a specified time.

Start a daycare in Maryland 

Navigating childcare licensing requirements is one of the first steps in starting a daycare business in Maryland. Taking the time to research, familiarize yourself with all the paperwork, and get organized is key to helping you operate a successful, efficient program. With careful planning and preparation, you can obtain a childcare license and move on to the next stage of growing your business.