News
October 20, 2022
Bonus Payments for Eligible Maryland Excels Child Care Providers
Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Provides $5 Million in Bonus Awards
BALTIMORE (October 20, 2022) — Today, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced the distribution of bonuses to child care programs participating in Maryland EXCELS that demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in their early education programs. As part of the transformative Blueprint for Maryland’s Future landmark legislation which expands access to high-quality child care and early childhood education in Maryland, $5 million will be distributed to Maryland EXCELS child care providers. The bonuses for this current fiscal year are triple the minimal amount established in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
Bonuses ranging from $150 to $13,500, based on the type of program, quality rating and capacity, will be paid to child care programs participating in Maryland EXCELS. Awards are available to EXCELS providers that achieved a first-time quality rating, a higher rating, or again earned a quality rating of 5 on or after July 1, 2022. Bonus payments will continue through June 30, 2023 for achieving programs and will start being released immediately. That means, providers will start to receive funds as early as midweek next week (week of October 24, 2022). The charts indicate how bonuses will be determined:
Message from State Superintendent of Schools
March 2, 2020
Multiple state agencies are collaborating on and are committed to the health and safety of children, students and staff in the school and early childhood program settings. We are working collaboratively with the Governor's Office, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and all other relevant State agencies on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The information at the link below is the most current and official COVID-19 guidance from the Center for Disease Control and has been cleared for dissemination with our Maryland State Health Department. Please share this information with your school communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the most up-to-date information regarding necessary guidance as we deal with the potential spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). You may also want to download these posters for your program: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/posters.html
The MSDE will remain vigilant in providing all information regarding the virus as it pertains to the health and safety of children, students and staff in our early childhood programs and schools.
Updated Credentialing Application is Available
Fingerprint system is now live
Community Events
Early childhood events and trainings around the state.
Funding Opportunities
Child care is a mission.
But it’s also a profession and a business.
If you’re a provider, you can use this part of the site to learn how MSDE can help you pay for things like accreditation fees, improvements you might make to your program and the adoption of new curricula. If you’re a family member, you can learn about the child care subsidy program that helps eligible families to pay for child care.
All of these programs are essential because they help make quality child care a reality for all of Maryland’s children and families.