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 |
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.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Maryland Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
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.
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.
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.
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