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Division of Early Childhood |
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TUESDAY TIDBITS
Maryland Pre-K Cost Calculator Now Available
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is happy to share that the official Pre-K Cost Calculator is now available online.
Families and Pre-K providers can use the calculator to estimate how much a family may pay for Pre-K based on household income and family size. The calculator is easy to use and can help families better understand their Pre-K costs before enrolling.
To get started, enter your household income and family information into the calculator. The tool will estimate your family share or sliding-scale tuition amount.
Use the official MSDE Pre-K Cost Calculator here:
https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/pages/pre-k-calc.aspx
The calculator supports Maryland’s mixed-delivery Pre-K system by helping families explore affordable, high-quality Pre-K options in public schools and community-based programs.
Families with incomes at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for free full-day Pre-K.
Please note: Pre-K costs may be different depending on your local school system. Families should contact their local school district or Pre-K provider for more information.
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Child Care Scholarship Summer Rate Details
Child Care Scholarship (CCS) summer payment rates for school-age children (42-10 scholarships) will be used from June 1 through August 23, 2026.
You will receive each month’s Advance Payment on the regular schedule.
42-10 scholarships that are fully enrolled by May 29, 2026 will appear in the June Advance Payment.
You can find the Advance Payment Snapshot Calendar on Money4ChildCare.com.
A 42‑10 scholarship is for children who need care before and after school during the school year and full‑day care in the summer. This is based on the parent’s activity (work or school) when the application is processed.
A regular scholarship is for children needing care before and after school during the school year and part‑day care in the summer. This is also based on the parent’s activity at the time of processing.
If a child has a regular scholarship, and the parent’s activity hours increase, they may now need full-time care during the summer. In this case, the family should submit an interim change through the CCS Family Portal.
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The parent must also send documents that show the change. Interim changes are processed within 5 business days.
If you need help or have questions, visit Money4ChildCare.com. You may also join the CCS Open Office Hours on June 16 or call CCS Central 2 at 1‑877‑277‑0125.
Changes to CCS Extended Service Hours
The CCS call center hours are changing. Extended service hours will stay in place until June 30, 2026.
After that date, you can reach CCS Central 2 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 877-227-0125.
You can also contact CCS Central 2 through our website:
Families and providers are invited to join CCS Open Office Hour sessions each month. Find the full schedule on our website: Money4ChildCare.com.
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Maryland Child Care Licensing Updates
Beginning May 1, 2026, several new regulatory items have been added to the Mandatory Inspection reports including but not limited to child records, first aid/CPR certification, and medication administration and child security. These items are required to be monitored annually based on the Federal Office of Child Care and CCDF standards.
Beginning June 1, 2026, Informal Child Care Providers have been assigned to the Licensing Branch. The licensing staff will begin conducting in-person inspections of Informal Child Care providers.
Why is Your Licensing Specialist a Superhero?
During the 2026 MSCCA Conference by the Sea, the MSDE Licensing Branch asked attending child care providers: “Why is your licensing specialist a superhero?” We are pleased to share your thoughtful responses recognizing the outstanding contributions of MSDE Licensing Specialists.
- "Kiani Strong (Region 3) is theeee best. She does well with communicating. Her response time is excellent, and when she does inspections she's very great with letting us know how to find resources."
- "Kim McCauley (Region 10) is always able to answer all my questions and able to tell me a straight answer. We love her personality, and she's on par!"
- PLUS: special shout outs to Erin Ringley (Region 12) and Kandyce Dorsey (Region 7)!
Thank you for your feedback and stay tuned for more of your responses in our next edition!
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Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs
Effective June 8, 2026, Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs (91 FR 25073) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture expands fluid milk options by allowing operators of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Special Milk Program to offer whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to participants two years and older.
Until COMAR is updated to reflect this change, during a child care inspection, licensing staff will not find programs out of compliance related to serving expanded milk options. This will be reflected in the licensing report as "discussed."
More information can be found in the MSDE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs Memo.
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Licensing Survey
This confidential survey allows providers to share their customer service experience during their recent MSDE licensing inspection.
The Office of Child Care values your feedback!
Use your phone to scan the QR code provided or click here to access the survey.
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Recently Updated Forms and Documents
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Monthly Child Care Info Session
Attend an Office of Child Care Information Session. Each month a branch will share news and updates. Submit any questions or comments you have during the registration process.
Register on the DEC events website.
June 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Missed a session? Check out previous recordings and presentations.
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Child Care Scholarship Open Office Hours - June 16th
MSDE staff members are ready to assist both enrolled families and dedicated child care providers with any questions about applications, payments, or managing a Child Care Scholarship account.
June 16, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
(See all dates through December 2026 here.)
Join a session
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Follow the Division on Social Media
Find information and updates from Maryland EXCELS and the Division of Early Childhood by following us on our social media accounts:
Facebook l Instagram l X
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Training/Professional Development |
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Reports Available from the Division of Early Childhood
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New! Training Reimbursement Application Video Tutorial
The Division of Early Childhood offers up to $400 for training reimbursement.
Watch our new video tutorial about the application process.
More information about how to apply and eligibility is available on the DEC website.
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 Events listed in this section come from MSDE partners and community organizations. MSDE shares these opportunities for informational purposes only and does not necessarily endorse the events or their content.
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Professional Learning Opportunities (6 Hour COK Sessions)
Two professional learning sessions with Childcare Management Solutions LLC on June 20:
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. How to Support Children with Special Needs and Meet Their Learning Needs (3 Hrs. SN)
12:30-3:30 p.m. Family Engagement (3 Hrs. COM)
To enroll: click the registration link or call 301-203-7648.
Register for the courses
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Challenging Behaviors Come from Challenged Children - Chesapeake College
June 11, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills.
Discover a new lens to view mistaken behaviors, to explore the factors that influence challenging behaviors, and to investigate tools and strategies that will support children as they develop social-emotional regulation skills.
Course No: CEU-688-9XQA1 (3206)
Enroll in the course
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Meet Your Health & Safety Requirements with Childcare Management Solutions LLC
First Aid, CPR & AED – Saturday, June 13 | 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Learn to respond to emergencies using current emergency care guidelines.
Medication Administration – Saturday, June 27 | 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Discuss and demonstrate medication administration guidelines.
To enroll: click the registration link or call 301-203-7648.
Register for the courses
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Child Care Profession-als! Have an opening? Let families know!
Each year, over 50,000 families search for child care through LOCATE from Maryland Family Network. LOCATE is free advertising for your programs! An up-to-date profile means families see your program when they’re ready to enroll. Questions? locate@marylandfamilynetwork.org.
Create an account
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Professional Develop-ment with the Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center (BCCCRC)
Register for one of BCCCRC's upcoming professional development opportunities.
6/11/26: What's in Their Backpack?
6/13/26: Switch On-Switch Off: Babies and Technology
6/17/26: Family First: Communication and Collaboration with Families
6/27/26: Active Supervision for Family Child Care
6/27/26: Medication Administration
6/30/26: The Basics: How Children Learn to Think -Explore Through Movement and Play
Enroll in training
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Two Weeks Left to Apply for 2026/27 MECLP Cohort VII
Ready to grow as an early childhood leader? Join Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP) Cohort VII—a yearlong, graduate-level leadership experience focused on systems change.
Learn more at our virtual information session on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. Email marloeli@umbc.edu for the link.
Learn more about the cohort
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Interactive & Educational Presentations
Workshops available from Linda Bratcher at bratcher@childcareservicesandsupply.com
June 10: Juneteenth in Early Education: Freedom, Fairness & Family Voices (COM 3)
June 23: (From Surviving to Thriving) Addressing Stress and Burnout in Early Education (PRO 3)
June 30: Brain to Behavior: Understanding Young Children Through Brain Science (CD 3)
Register for a workshop
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Trainings Verano 2026
ECS092 Comunicación con el niño autista El autismo es un trastorno de la comunicación socio-afectiva con conductas atípicas. (0.4 CEUs) 4hrs Necesidades Especiales
Durante el mes de junio, se llevará a cabo la capacitación en CPR/AED y Primeros Auxilios, brindando a las participantes conocimientos esenciales para responder de manera efectiva ante emergencias.
All training provided through the Latino Child Care Association of Maryland will be conducted by Montgomery College.
Más información
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Art is for Everyone. Professional Growth Should Be Too.
ChildCareEd invites educators to the Many Colors, One Canvas: MD ECE Conference. For a limited time, individual registration is only $150 or $100 per person through our Group Admin option. MSDE Voucher approval number CWO-164325 at $315. Invest in your growth - and your classroom.
Learn more about the conference
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National Accredita-tion Support for Maryland Family and Center-Based Providers
Join NECPA and the MSCCA to learn how Maryland family child care and center-based programs can strengthen quality through accreditation. Explore funding opportunities, accreditation supports, and professional resources available to help Maryland providers grow, succeed, and achieve national accreditation.
Register for an information session
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New Care Courses Training on Funding Strategies in Child Care
Build a stronger, more sustainable child care program with our new course - Beyond Tuition: Funding Strategies for Child Care. Learn practical strategies for funding other than tuition, including subsidies, grants, fundraising, and partnerships. Approved for 4 clock hours / 0.4 CEUs.
Enroll in the course
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Find Health Insurance with Maryland Health Connection
Maryland Health Connection is our state's official health insurance marketplace. At MarylandHealthConnection.gov, you can get a health plan that covers doctor visits, prescription medications, and more for you and your family.
Medicaid enrollment is open all year. Learn how to enroll, find resources, and more on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange website.
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