Anyone who is interested in starting a child care business in a home or center is required to take the face-to-face orientation training. Please contact the Office of Child Care Regional Licensing Office to schedule the Orientation Training. To prepare for your orientation session, you may wish to view the on-line orientation preview. This does not replace the face-to-face orientation session you are required to attend at your regional Office of Child Care. 

To take a virtual orientation on your computer, select the link below that matches the type of child care business you would like to start.  The orientation includes videos, interactive activities and audio narration. You should expect to spend about one hour going through the orientation. But if you need to take a break during the hour, you can pause the orientation and return at a later time.  

This session will walk you through all of the steps you need to take and it will connect you to all of the forms that you need to complete.

• Family Child Care 
• Large Family Child Care 
• Child Care Center 

At least 60 days before your proposed opening date, you must submit an application packet for a facility license or Letter of Compliance. This packet consists of the following, all of which are discussed during the orientation:

• Notice of intent to operate a child care facility
• OCC application form for a child care facility license or Letter of Compliance
• Site plans
• Floor plans with architectural details
• Written plan of operation
• Documentation of compliance with local zoning, building, health, and fire codes
• Documentation of workers compensation insurance coverage
• Fire evacuation plan
• Menu plan for the first 4 weeks of operation
• Written child discipline procedures.

Additionally you must also submit these items:

• List of all facility personnel and staff qualification documents (if applicable)
• Permission to examine records of abuse and neglect of children and adults for information about the director, residents at the facility (if any), and company officers who may interact with children in care
• A criminal background check form and fingerprinting cards for yourself and other adults employed in your facility is required and processed by the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). There is a fee payable to CJIS, to process the background check. The amount of this fee varies in different parts of the state.

Your facility must be in good repair and meet all building, sanitary facility, lighting, and food storage/preparation/service requirements in COMAR 13A.16 or COMAR 13A.17. All areas of the facility to be used for child care must be safe and properly equipped. Here are some examples of facility safety and equipment requirements:

• All potentially dangerous items such as cleansers, medicines, tools, and sharp implements are out of reach of children.
• All child care areas are lead-safe.
• Electrical wall sockets are properly capped as required by the applicable fire code.
• A properly stocked first-aid kit is present on the premises.
• There are adequate, appropriate, and safe indoor and outdoor activity materials and equipment.
• If children under 12 months of age will be in care, there must be enough cribs for each child, and each crib must meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.

Once everything is in place for your business, a Regional Office licensing specialist will inspect your facility. This inspection determines if your facility and program meet child care licensing regulations. It’s also an opportunity to ask any last minute questions you may have.

Your facility must also be inspected by the local fire authority to make sure it meets all fire codes. Inspections by the Health Department and/or other local government agencies may also be required. There are no fees for any inspections conducted by the OCC, but there may be fees for inspections by fire, health, and/or other local authorities.

After the requirements have been successfully met, the Regional Licensing Office issues your child care facility license or Letter of Compliance. A new child care facility is authorized to operate for a period of two years. At the end of that period, the license or Letter of Compliance may be converted to continuing (i.e., non-expiring) status. (You must submit an application for continuing, non-expiring status.) A non-expiring license may still be placed on probationary status if the center does not comply with State requirements. Continued failure may result in suspension or revocation of the license.

Child care centers are routinely inspected at least once every 12 months on a “drop-in” status to determine if requirements are being met. 

As soon as you receive your license or Letter of Compliance, you are ready to open your child care center for business! The following are some community resources that can help in developing your program:

Maryland Child Care Resource Network is a statewide network of agencies that help parents find child care. These agencies also provide training and support services to child care facilities.

The Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund – is administered by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and provides special purpose loans to construct, expand, or improve child care facilities.

LOCATE: Child Care helps families to find child care services including services for children with special needs.

Maryland EXCELS is a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) and recognizes the accomplishments of early childhood and school-age programs.