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Maryland Childcare Licensing Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios, licensing requirements, CCDBG subsidy documentation rules, and compliance resources for Maryland childcare providers.

2024 CCDF rule update: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tightened CCDBG attendance documentation requirements. Maryland providers receiving subsidy payments must maintain verifiable attendance records. The January 2026 ACF proposed rule may restore state flexibility, but documentation requirements remain in effect during the comment period.
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Maryland Childcare Licensing — Compliance Quick Reference
Licensing agencyMaryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care — Child Care Licensing
Regulatory codeCOMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq.
Infant ratio (center)1:3 (max group: —)
Toddler ratio (center)1:6 (max group: —)
Preschool ratio (center)1:10 (max group: —)
Subsidy programMaryland Child Care Scholarship Program
CCDBG payment modelEnrollment-based
Digital attendance requiredYes — attendance documentation required for subsidy compliance

Maryland childcare center: Staff-to-child ratio requirements

Maryland licensed childcare centers must maintain specific staff-to-child ratios at all times as required by Maryland State Department of Education under COMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq..

Age group Staff:child ratio Max group size Regulation
Infant (0–18 months) 1:3 —
MD MSDE Child Care Center Regulations COMAR 13A.16
Toddler (18–36 months) 1:6 —
MD MSDE COMAR 13A.16
Preschool (3–5 years) 1:10 —
MD MSDE COMAR 13A.16

Source: COMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq.. Always verify current ratios directly with MD MSDE before making staffing decisions.

Maryland childcare licensing agency

All childcare programs in Maryland must be licensed by Maryland State Department of Education through the Office of Child Care — Child Care Licensing. The agency conducts pre-licensing inspections, issues licenses, and performs ongoing compliance monitoring.

AgencyMaryland State Department of Education
DivisionOffice of Child Care — Child Care Licensing
Websitehttps://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/pages/earlychildhood/childcarecenters.aspx
Regulatory codeCOMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq.
Last verifiedMarch 2026

What changed for Maryland childcare providers in 2024–2026

2024
HHS CCDF final rule — attendance documentation tightened. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule requiring all states to tighten CCDBG attendance tracking. Maryland providers receiving subsidy payments must maintain verifiable, date-stamped attendance records for each subsidized child.
Jan 2026
ACF proposed rule — state flexibility may be restored. The Administration for Children and Families published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow states to choose between enrollment-based and attendance-based payment models. The rule was in the public comment period as of early 2026. Check acf.hhs.gov for the latest status.

Maryland CCDBG / subsidy compliance requirements

Maryland’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy program — Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program — is administered by MD State Dept of Education (MSDE) — Office of Child Care. Providers accepting subsidy-funded children must meet attendance documentation requirements to receive reimbursement.

Program nameMaryland Child Care Scholarship Program
Administering agencyMD State Dept of Education (MSDE) — Office of Child Care
Payment modelEnrollment-based — providers paid per authorized enrollment regardless of daily attendance
Digital attendance requiredYes — attendance documentation required for subsidy compliance
Absence policyEnrollment-based: providers paid based on authorized enrollment — verify MSDE policy

Maryland already used enrollment-based payment — fully aligned with the 2024 CCDF rule. The Jan 2026 ACF NPRM proposes restoring state choice (enrollment or attendance). Regardless of outcome, digital attendance documentation protects providers during audits.

Brightwheel helps Maryland providers stay compliant.

Digital attendance tracking, parent sign-in/sign-out, and subsidy billing — built for Maryland childcare programs navigating the 2024 CCDF rule change.

Digital attendance logs Timestamped check-in/out records satisfy MD documentation requirements and create an audit-ready trail.
Subsidy billing Invoice Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program and private-pay families from one platform — no dual systems needed.
Parent sign-in/sign-out PIN-based parent check-in creates a verifiable attendance record for every drop-off and pickup.
See how brightwheel automates compliance for Maryland providers →

Frequently asked questions: Maryland childcare licensing

Does Maryland require a license to operate a childcare center?
Yes — Maryland requires all childcare centers serving children in a group setting to be licensed by Maryland State Department of Education (MD MSDE). Licensing ensures programs meet minimum standards for staff-to-child ratios, director qualifications, facility safety, and health requirements. Operating without a license is prohibited and may result in fines or closure.
What are the staff-to-child ratios for childcare centers in Maryland?
Maryland licensed childcare centers must maintain the following minimum ratios: infants (under 18 months): 1:3; toddlers (18–36 months): 1:6; preschool age (3–5 years): 1:10; school-age: 1:15. These ratios are set under COMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq.. Always verify current requirements with MD MSDE.
How does Maryland handle CCDBG subsidy attendance documentation?
Maryland’s subsidy program is administered through Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program under MD State Dept of Education (MSDE) — Office of Child Care. Enrollment-based — providers paid per authorized enrollment regardless of daily attendance. Maryland already used enrollment-based payment — fully aligned with the 2024 CCDF rule. The Jan 2026 ACF NPRM proposes restoring state choice (enrollment or attendance). Regardless of outcome, digital attendance documentation protects providers during audits.
What agency licenses childcare in Maryland?
Childcare programs in Maryland are licensed by Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care — Child Care Licensing. The regulatory framework is COMAR 13A.16 (Child Care Centers); Education Article §9.5-401 et seq.. Visit https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/pages/earlychildhood/childcarecenters.aspx for official licensing applications, regulations, and contacts.
How long does it take to get a childcare license in Maryland?
The timeline to obtain a childcare center license in Maryland typically ranges from 2–6 months depending on application completeness, background check processing, and scheduling of the required pre-licensing inspection. Applicants should contact Maryland State Department of Education early in the planning process. Programs may not operate until the license is issued.
Does the 2024 HHS rule change affect Maryland childcare providers?
Yes — the 2024 CCDF final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tightened attendance documentation requirements for all states receiving CCDBG funding, including Maryland. Maryland providers receiving CCAP/subsidy payments must maintain accurate, verifiable attendance records. The January 2026 ACF proposed rule may restore some state flexibility, but documentation requirements remain in effect while the rule is under review.

County-specific childcare requirements in Maryland

Childcare licensing in Maryland is set at the state level — the same standards apply statewide. However, local requirements vary by county for zoning approvals, conditional use permits, fire safety inspections, health permits, and business licenses. Below are compliance guides for Maryland’s 3 largest counties by population.

MontgomeryCounty guide › Prince George’sCounty guide › BaltimoreCounty guide ›

Sources & references

This page was compiled from official government sources. Always verify current requirements directly with Maryland State Department of Education before making licensing or compliance decisions.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or compliance advice. Childcare licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Maryland State Department of Education at https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/pages/earlychildhood/childcarecenters.aspx before making compliance decisions. Last verified: April 2026.