Maryland runs its publicly funded child care subsidy through the Child Care Scholarship Program, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Childhood. The program covers MSDE-licensed centers, licensed family child care homes, letter of compliance programs (school-age and faith-based), and registered Informal Providers. The Maryland Family Network and regional Child Care Resource Centers handle intake support and provider technical assistance, with eligibility determinations and payment authorizations processed by MSDE through a centralized state portal.
If your family income is at or below 65 percent of State Median Income at intake, at least one parent is working, in school, or in approved job training, and your child is under thirteen, you almost certainly qualify on paper. Maryland has used the 2021 Blueprint for Maryland's Future and subsequent budget actions to expand intake, reduce family co-pays, and integrate Child Care Scholarship with Pre-K Expansion across all 24 counties and Baltimore City. Maryland's system is one of the more comprehensive on the East Coast in 2026.
MSDE Division of Early Childhood sets statewide Child Care Scholarship rules: who can be eligible, what counts as a work, school, or training activity, the family co-pay schedule, and how providers are paid. The Maryland Family Network and regional Child Care Resource Centers handle intake support and provider technical assistance. Eligibility determinations and payment authorizations are processed by MSDE through a centralized state portal. Maryland Pre-K Expansion under the 2021 Blueprint for Maryland's Future is expanding free pre-K access for three- and four-year-olds across all 24 counties and Baltimore City.
Maryland's Child Care Scholarship eligibility rules require a need activity (work, school, or training), Maryland residency, and household income within the ceiling.
Maryland sets initial Child Care Scholarship eligibility at 65 percent of State Median Income. Ongoing eligibility is maintained at 85 percent of SMI for the certification year. Approximate monthly intake limits for 2025-2026:
Categorical eligibility (no income test at intake) typically applies to children of Temporary Cash Assistance recipients, children in foster care, children in protective services, and homeless families. Both parents (or the single parent in a single-parent household) must be working, in school, or in an MSDE-approved job-training program. Children must be under age thirteen, or under age eighteen if the child has documented special needs.
Maryland sets a monthly family co-pay on a sliding scale based on family size and gross monthly income. The schedule was reduced in 2022 and 2023 under Blueprint for Maryland's Future funding. Approximate monthly amounts for 2025-2026:
The co-pay is paid directly to the provider each month. Child Care Scholarship reimbursement covers the difference between the family co-pay and the contracted reimbursement rate, up to the MSDE-published maximum.
MSDE reimburses Child Care Scholarship providers at a base rate set by county and child age, with quality enhancement add-ons for providers participating in Maryland EXCELS at Levels 1 through 5. Level 5 providers receive the largest add-on, typically 20 to 30 percent above the base rate. Reimbursement rates were updated in 2024 to comply with the federal equal-access requirement. Full-time infant center base reimbursement ranged from roughly $1,200 per month in Western Maryland counties to roughly $2,200 per month in Montgomery County and Howard County. Family child care home rates ran 15 to 25 percent below center rates.
Maryland Pre-K Expansion under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future provides additional state-funded preschool slots for three- and four-year-olds across all 24 counties and Baltimore City, separate from Child Care Scholarship. Many working families use Child Care Scholarship for younger children and combine Pre-K Expansion with Child Care Scholarship wraparound at age three or four.
Maryland does not maintain a statewide waitlist for the Child Care Scholarship Program in 2026, though intake capacity fluctuates with available funding. Categorical priority groups (Temporary Cash Assistance, Transitional Child Care, foster care, child protective services) are processed within five to ten business days. Working families are typically determined within ten to fifteen business days of completed application.
Use marylandfamilynetwork.org or call 1-877-261-0060 to identify the regional Child Care Resource Center for your county. Maryland Family Network operates and supports the resource center network statewide.
Apply with MSDE through the Child Care Scholarship Program portal at marylandchildcareresources.org, in person at a Child Care Resource Center, or by mail. The application asks for family composition, household income, the need activity (work, school, or training), work or school hours, and a preferred provider if you have one selected.
Photo identification for each adult; birth certificates for each child; proof of Maryland residency such as a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill; last 30 days of pay stubs or a signed employer letter; school or training program enrollment documentation if applicable; a current work schedule from your employer.
Categorical priority groups are typically determined within five to ten business days. Working families are determined within ten to fifteen business days of completed application. If verification documents are incomplete, MSDE will request additional items by phone or mail.
Child Care Scholarship families select any MSDE-licensed provider: licensed day care centers, licensed family child care homes, letter of compliance programs, and registered Informal Providers (with background checks). MSDE issues a Child Care Scholarship voucher with approved hours and reimbursement rate. MSDE pays the provider directly, and the family pays the monthly co-pay.
Provider participation in Child Care Scholarship is voluntary. To accept Child Care Scholarship, the provider must hold a current MSDE center license, family child care home license, letter of compliance, or registered Informal Provider status, sign a Child Care Scholarship provider agreement, accept the county maximum reimbursement rate, and meet attendance reporting requirements. Most subsidy funding flows to Maryland EXCELS Level 3, 4, and 5 providers. Some private centers in Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore County decline scholarships because their posted rates exceed the county maximum reimbursement.
Maryland's Child Care Scholarship intake ceiling at 65 percent of State Median Income is broadly competitive with Virginia and ahead of North Carolina and West Virginia. Ongoing eligibility at 85 percent of SMI matches the most generous state ceilings. Maryland EXCELS reimbursement add-ons at Levels 4 and 5 are among the strongest in the country. The 2021 Blueprint for Maryland's Future and subsequent budget actions have integrated Child Care Scholarship with Pre-K Expansion in a way that few states have matched, making Maryland one of the more comprehensive systems on the East Coast.
Maryland families have the right to appeal an MSDE denial or termination by requesting a fair hearing within ninety calendar days. Most denials at the agency level are reversed when the family provides missing pay stubs, a corrected work schedule, or updated household composition. If the appeal does not succeed, options include reapplying when income or hours change, pursuing Head Start or Early Head Start, enrolling a three- or four-year-old in Maryland Pre-K Expansion in a participating district at no cost, or asking your employer about a Dependent Care FSA.
Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program substantially reduces daycare costs for low- and moderate-income working families, and the 2021 Blueprint for Maryland's Future is gradually expanding free Pre-K access across all 24 counties and Baltimore City. Maryland EXCELS Level 4 and 5 reimbursement add-ons reward higher-rated providers more heavily than most state systems. For most Maryland families within range of the income ceiling, the single best move is to apply through marylandchildcareresources.org now, even before you need care, and to plan for Pre-K Expansion layering at age three or four with Child Care Scholarship wraparound hours.
Initial eligibility for the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program is set at 65 percent of State Median Income, with ongoing eligibility maintained at 85 percent of SMI for the certification year. Approximate monthly intake limits for 2026 are roughly $4,400 per month for a family of two, $5,400 per month for a family of three, and $6,500 per month for a family of four. MSDE has used 2022 and 2023 supplemental Blueprint for Maryland's Future appropriations to expand intake and stabilize provider reimbursement rates.
Maryland MSDE sets a monthly family co-pay on a sliding scale based on family size and gross monthly income. Co-pays typically range from $0 at the lowest-income tier to $200 to $400 at the upper end of eligibility, paid directly to the provider. Family co-pays were materially reduced under 2022 and 2023 budget actions.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Childhood administers the Child Care Scholarship Program statewide. MSDE contracts with the Maryland Family Network and regional Child Care Resource Centers for parent counseling and provider technical assistance, and operates Child Care Scholarship intake through a centralized state portal at marylandchildcareresources.org.
Maryland EXCELS is the state's tiered quality rating and improvement system, with Level 1 through Level 5 ratings administered by MSDE. Reimbursement rates scale meaningfully with EXCELS level. Level 5 providers receive the largest add-on, typically 20 to 30 percent above the base rate. Maryland Pre-K Expansion under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future is expanding free pre-K access for three- and four-year-olds across all 24 counties and Baltimore City.
Maryland does not maintain a statewide waitlist for the Child Care Scholarship Program in 2026, though intake capacity fluctuates with available funding. Categorical priority groups (Temporary Cash Assistance, foster care, child protective services, homeless families) receive expedited processing within five to ten business days. Working families are typically determined within ten to fifteen business days of completed application.
Maryland permits care by an in-home informal caregiver as an Informal Provider. The caregiver must complete background checks, child abuse and neglect registry clearance, and MSDE Informal Provider registration. Most Child Care Scholarship funding is paid to MSDE-licensed centers, licensed family child care homes, and Maryland EXCELS participating programs.
Yes. Maryland Temporary Cash Assistance recipients receive guaranteed Child Care Scholarship while participating in approved work or training activities and during the twelve-month Transitional Child Care window after Temporary Cash Assistance closes. TCA-related cases are processed within five to ten business days.
Photo identification for each adult; birth certificates for each child; proof of Maryland residency such as a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill; last 30 days of pay stubs or a signed employer letter; school or training program enrollment documentation if applicable; current work schedule. Your regional Child Care Resource Center provides a complete checklist with the application packet.
What a center or family child care home actually costs across Maryland regions in 2026.
See Maryland costs → Maryland pre-KMaryland Pre-K Expansion under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and how it layers with Child Care Scholarship wraparound.
Read the guide → BackgroundCCDBG, Head Start, and how every state's voucher program fits together.
Read the article → Free toolEstimate net out-of-pocket tuition after credits and subsidies for your zip code.
Try the calculator →Get our free daycare starter kit — the 27-question tour checklist, a cost-comparison worksheet, and what to ask about waitlists. One email, no spam.
Or jump in: tour questions · cost calculator · comparison checklist