A daycare license in Maryland is issued by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Maryland childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Early Childhood within the Maryland State Department of Education. Facilities providing care for 9 or more children must be licensed. Maryland allows new hires to begin work as a "Probationary Teacher" for up to 6 months while they complete the required 90-hour ECE course, providing more staffing flexibility.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 18 months) | 1:3 | 6 |
| Toddlers (18 months–2 years) | 1:3 | 9 |
| 2 years | 1:6 | 12 |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | 1:10 | 20 |
| School age | 1:15 | 30 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
OCC 1215 Health Inventory
Maryland health inventory form including physical examination and lead screening for children in high-risk zip codes.
OCC 1214 Emergency Form
Maryland emergency information form for all enrolled children.
DHMH 896 Immunization Record
Maryland-specific immunization record form required on file.
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and authorized pickup authorization.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Maryland Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
90-hour ECE course required. New hires may work as "Probationary Teacher" for up to 6 months while completing the course.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact MSDE for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by MSDE Division of Early Childhood. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact MSDE Division of Early Childhood to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact MSDE for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Maryland MSDE Early Childhood
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.