Child care grants in Maryland.

These are the grants the state runs for child care providers in Maryland. Each one links to its official page.

Checked on the official pages, November 4, 2026.

Who runs child care funding in Maryland

Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood. Its Division of Early Childhood runs child care programs and licenses child care.Source: Analysis of the FY 2027 Maryland Executive Budget: R00A99 MSDE Early Childhood Development, Maryland Department of Legislative Services. Checked November 4, 2026.

Grants for child care providers in Maryland

Each grant as its official page describes it, with the day we read that page.

  • Maryland EXCELS Quality Improvement Bonus Program

    • Bonus or incentive
    • Centers and home daycares
    Who can apply
    Programs in Maryland EXCELS earn a bonus when they first publish a quality rating.
    What it pays for
    It pays a bonus for each higher rating, and every year a program keeps level 5.
    When to apply
    Check the official page for the current window.
    Sources: Analysis of the FY 2027 Maryland Executive Budget: R00A99 MSDE Early Childhood Development, Maryland Department of Legislative Services; Statute Text: Education Article § 9.5-906, Maryland General Assembly. Checked November 4, 2026.

  • Child Care Accreditation Support Fund

    • Quality improvement
    • Centers and home daycares
    Who can apply
    Family child care providers and child care centers can both get an award.
    What it pays for
    It pays national accreditation fees or program improvement costs.
    When to apply
    Check the official page for the current window.
    Sources: Child Care in Maryland (October 30, 2025), Maryland Department of Legislative Services; COMAR 13A.14.10.03 Fund Uses and Limitations (Child Care Accreditation Support Fund), Library of Maryland Regulations, State of Maryland. Checked November 4, 2026.

  • Child Care Incentive Grant Program

    • Quality improvement
    • Centers and home daycares
    Who can apply
    A child care provider can get funding to improve its quality of care.
    What it pays for
    It pays for materials, equipment and supplies.
    When to apply
    Check the official page for the current window.
    Sources: Statute Text: Education Article § 9.5-903, Maryland General Assembly; Child Care in Maryland (October 30, 2025), Maryland Department of Legislative Services. Checked November 4, 2026.

  • Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund

    • Staff and workforce
    • Child care staff
    Who can apply
    Early educators with a year of experience and a level 2 credential can apply.
    What it pays for
    It helps pay for a college degree in early childhood or a related field.
    When to apply
    Check the official page for the current window.
    Source: Child Care Scholarship Program Briefing (February 4, 2026), Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood. Checked November 4, 2026.

  • Maryland Child Care Credential Program

    • Staff and workforce
    • Child care staff
    Who can apply
    Child care staff who train beyond what licensing requires can earn the credential.
    What it pays for
    It pays back training costs and gives vouchers for training.
    When to apply
    Check the official page for the current window.
    Sources: Effect of the 2026 Legislative Program on the Financial Condition of the State, Maryland Department of Legislative Services; Child Care Scholarship Program Briefing (February 4, 2026), Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood. Checked November 4, 2026.

Before you apply

  1. Read who can apply. Some grants need a license, a quality rating or a subsidy agreement first.
  2. Check the window on the official page. Grants open and close.
  3. Read what the money can pay for, and keep receipts for every cost.
  4. Ask what you must report after you get the money.
  5. Apply only through the official page or the office it names.

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More for providers in Maryland

Questions, answered

Are there child care grants in Maryland?

This page lists 5 grants the state runs for providers. Each one links to its official page.

Who runs child care funding in Maryland?

Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood. Its Division of Early Childhood runs child care programs and licenses child care.

Is there a grant to open a daycare in Maryland?

None of the grants we found on the state pages is for opening a new program. Check back for new rounds.

Who decides who gets a grant in Maryland?

The state or the agency that runs each grant decides who gets it. This page is a summary of public pages. It is not legal or tax advice.

About this page

Checked on the official pages, November 4, 2026.

If a grant is not here, we could not read it on an official page.

Grants open and close. Confirm every detail on the official page before you apply.

The state or the agency that runs each grant decides who gets it.

This page is a summary of public pages. It is not legal or tax advice.

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