Are you looking to become a licensed home-based daycare provider in Baltimore MD? If so, you need to understand the requirements and steps to take to make your dream a reality. This article will provide an overview of the process and what you need to do to become a licensed family child care provider in Maryland. The initial step is to attend an orientation session. These sessions are approved by the Maryland Child Care Administration and meet the minimum state standards for increasing levels of professional development.
Reach out to your regional licensing office for information on the licensing process and to find out when the next orientation sessions will be held. After attending an orientation session, you must complete pre-service training. The purpose of child care licenses and registration is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children while they are in child care arrangements. You must decide if you want to open a business in your home or if you want to create a center-based business. If you choose to open a business in your home, you can care for up to eight children with no more than two children under the age of two.
If you choose to open a center-based business, you can care for between nine and 12 children and no more than four children under the age of two. Once you have completed pre-service training, you must contact the Regional Licensing Office of the Office of Child Care to schedule orientation training. This does not replace the in-person orientation session you must attend at the regional Child Care Office. After completing all of these steps, you will be eligible to care for children during the hours for which you are approved. Check out our “How to Become a Family Child Care Provider” slideshow to learn about the step-by-step process of becoming a family child care provider in Maryland. Training programs for new and current child care providers are available throughout the state.
An enrollment that doesn't expire can also be put on trial if the family child care provider doesn't meet the requirements.
