How to start a home daycare in Maryland.
Maryland State Department of Education oversees home daycares in Maryland. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Maryland allows
Family child care home
Up to 8 children
No more than 4 of them may be younger than 2.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.04.03 Child Capacity (Family Child Care Homes)Large family child care home
9 to 12 children
The Office must approve the home to care for this many children.
Source: COMAR 13A.18.01.02 Definitions (Large Family Child Care Homes)
Starting a home daycare in Maryland, step by step
Complete the orientation
Complete an orientation on family child care rules. The Office offers or approves it.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Send your application
Send the Office its application form for initial registration.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Get medical evaluations
Get a medical evaluation for you and each person who lives in your home. It must be done within 12 months before you apply.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Apply for background checks
Each person in your home who is 18 or older needs federal and State criminal background checks.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Meet fire, health and zoning rules
Show that your home meets State and local fire, health and zoning rules.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Meet the lead-safe rules
Show that your home meets the lead-safe environment rules.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Get your landlord's permission
Do you rent or lease your home? Get written permission from the owner or landlord to provide child care.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)Have your interview and inspection
The Office interviews you and inspects your home.
Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.06 Response of the Office to Application (Family Child Care Homes)
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care. Registers family child care homes. A home needs a valid certificate of registration to operate.Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.01 Registration, General Requirements (Family Child Care Homes)
- Caring only for relatives
- No registration needed if you are related to each childSource: COMAR 13A.15.02.01 Registration, General Requirements (Family Child Care Homes)
- Children under 2
- No more than 2 at a time, unless the Office approves moreSource: COMAR 13A.15.04.03 Child Capacity (Family Child Care Homes)
- Your own children
- Children under 6 who live in the home count as children in careSource: COMAR 13A.15.04.03 Child Capacity (Family Child Care Homes)
- Inspections
- At least one unannounced visit in each 12-month periodSource: COMAR 13A.15.13.01 Inspections (Family Child Care Homes)
Good to know
- The home must be your primary residence.Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.01 Registration, General Requirements (Family Child Care Homes)
- A certificate of registration cannot be moved to another person or home.Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.01 Registration, General Requirements (Family Child Care Homes)
- Lived in another state in the last 5 years? Apply for that state's criminal background check too.Source: COMAR 13A.15.02.02 Initial Registration (Family Child Care Homes)
Run a program in Maryland? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Maryland
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Maryland licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Maryland
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Maryland
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in Maryland?
The first step: Complete the orientation. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Maryland?
Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care. Registers family child care homes. A home needs a valid certificate of registration to operate.
How many children can a home daycare in Maryland care for?
Family child care home: Up to 8 children. Large family child care home: 9 to 12 children.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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