Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment: Happening Now
Open enrollment for the Healthcare Marketplace is happening now through January 15. Early care and education staff may be eligible for quality, low-cost healthcare plans through the marketplace and qualify for tax credits and other benefits.
Now is the perfect time for early care and education workers to find out what they qualify for, compare health insurance plans, and enroll in health coverage. All plans cover essential benefits, such as primary care, prescriptions, and emergency care, and are affordable with 80% of enrollees eligible for plans at $10 a month or less.
Visit healthcare.gov to discover more about coverage through the marketplace, including benefits and protections. Check out the attached flyer to find details about how early care and education staff can access affordable health insurance.
Available Now: 2024 Basic Health and Safety Annual Update Training
The 2024 Annual Basic Health and Safety Update Training is available now on the MSDE CANVAS webpage. This training meets the regulations for the annual health and safety training, as required by the office, by the end of each 12-month period.
The training must be completed by all child care staff and family child care providers by December 31, 2024. All newly approved family child care providers and staff hired from October to December 2024 must complete the training by March 31, 2025. This training is also recommended for child care substitutes and volunteers.
The training qualifies for Core of Knowledge/Hours: Health, Safety, and Nutrition/1.5, and it is a 90-minute training. Upon successful completion of the training, the system will produce a “Certificate of Participation.” Please download and save the certificate to email to your licensing specialist.
Check out this flyer to learn how to access the Basic Health and Safety Annual Update. You can also find the training using the below link.
Open for Public Comment: Proposed Regulations for Outdoor, Nature-Based Child Care License Pilot Program
Outdoor, Nature-Based Child Care License Pilot Program proposed regulations are now available for public comment.
The purpose of the proposed new chapter, COMAR 13A.14.15, is to permit child care providers the option to operate a licensed outdoor early care and education program year-round and for a full-day, pursuant to certain standards for the health and safety of children in care that recognize the program may have limited or no access to indoor space. The proposed regulations, which utilize COMAR 13A.16, Child Care Centers, for foundational requirements, also require comprehensive policies and procedures to be submitted with the pilot application.
Maryland Accreditation Support Funds Are Available!
Is your program purchasing new learning materials? If you are currently Maryland Accredited or you have completed the Initial Self-Appraisal, you’re eligible for reimbursement of up to $3,000 through the Maryland Accreditation Support Fund.
Learn more
|
|
 |
Check Out Age-Appropriate Activities Lists for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
For young children, play is a powerful way to reduce sources of stress, build resilience, develop core life skills, and strengthen relationships. Review activities lists from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University based on a child’s age to find playful activities to do with the children in your life. Downloadable guides are available in English and Spanish.
 |
|
Follow the Division on Social Media
Find information and updates from Maryland EXCELS and the Division of Early Childhood by following us on our newly revamped social media accounts:
Facebook l Instagram l X
|
|
