Maryland ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Maryland MSDE Child Care Center Regulations (COMAR 13A.16) regulations. Bloomily helps Maryland childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Maryland licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 12 months | 1:3 | 6 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Young toddlers 12-18 months | 1:3 | 6 children |
toddler Older toddlers 18-24 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
twos 2-year-olds | 1:6 | 12 children |
threes 3-year-olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
fours 4-year-olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
fives 5-year-olds | 1:15 | 30 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Maryland childcare staff
Annual Training (12 hours)
Maryland required 12 clock hours annual training in Core of Knowledge areas per COMAR 13A.16.06
Background Check (Maryland)
Maryland comprehensive background check including CJIS and FBI fingerprinting per COMAR 13A.16.06
Child Protective Services Clearance (Maryland)
Maryland CPS clearance required for all staff
First Aid (Maryland)
First aid certification required for all staff
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Maryland Child Care Credential
Maryland Child Care Credential at appropriate level per COMAR 13A.16.06
Pediatric CPR (Maryland)
Infant and child CPR certification required per COMAR 13A.16.06
Pre-Service Training (90 hours)
Maryland required 90 hours pre-service training including 45 hours in child development
Safe Sleep/SIDS Training (Maryland)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Staff Health Inventory (Maryland)
Health inventory form including TB risk assessment required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Maryland childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, varying times of day
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills twice per year
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate site annually
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Severe Weather
Shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Maryland MSDE Child Care Center Regulations (COMAR 13A.16) requirements
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.02
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.02
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.02
Written policies and procedures available
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.02
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.02
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Outdoor play area adequate (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Temperature maintained (68-75°F)
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
Daily health check performed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10
Smoke detectors working
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Severe weather drills quarterly
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Lockdown drills semi-annually
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Evacuation drill annually
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Drill records documented properly
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10.02
Emergency plan posted
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.10
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.07
CJIS/FBI background check current for all staff
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
CPS clearance completed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
CPR certification current
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
First Aid certification current
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.08.02
Core of Knowledge training (12 hours/year)
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
90-hour pre-service training completed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
Health inventory on file
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
Maryland Child Care Credential current
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.06
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Emergency contact information current
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Immunization records on file (ImmuNet)
Ref: COMAR 10.06.04
Health Inventory within 30 days of enrollment
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Lead testing documentation on file
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Children supervised at all times
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.08.02
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: COMAR 13A.16.09
Track your Maryland compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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