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Divisions
Divisions > Early Childhood Development > Grants
Child Care Grant Programs


Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program
Family Child Care Provider Grant Program


Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program


The Quality Incentive Grant Program is Back!

The Division of Early Childhood Development
(DECD) is excited to announce the reopening of the Child Care Quality Incentive Grant Program. 

The focus of the Quality Incentive Grant is on supporting projects that are related to improving the professionalism and service quality of child care programs or improving children's school readiness. 

Grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis, at the end of April, July, October, and January. Awards will be based upon merit, not the submittal date.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be licensed or registered, in good standing, and have operated a child care facility for at least 2 years.
  • Applicants must show proof of current participation in the DECD accreditation or credentialing programs.
  • Child care centers must be located in a Title 1 school district or have at least 25% POC enrollment. Family child care providers must have POC children in care.

Allowable Expenditures

  • Curriculum supplies, materials, and equipment needed to implement training received through the Credentialing Branch.
  • Projects must be in the areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The Quality Incentive Grant Program is operated in accordance with regulations set forth at COMAR 13A.14.11. These regulations address all Program requirements, including eligibility and application procedures.

Click here for a Quality Incentive Grant application form.  Contact your Regional Licensing Office to obtain a program guide. The program guide explains the program in more detail, including application instructions, funding limits, how funding may be used, and lists of eligible and non-eligible expenses.

For further information about the Child Care Quality Incentive Grant, call the Collaboration and Program Improvement Branch at (410) 767-7115.


The Family Child Care Provider Grant Program

The Family Child Care Provider Grant Program exists to help registered family child care providers offset many of the costs of opening their child care programs. Eligibility is based upon certain income levels and family size. An applicant's annual income nust not exceed 60% of Maryland's current State Median Income (SMI) for the applicant's family size.  Click here for a chart showing 60% of Maryland's current SMI.

The Provider Grant Program reimburses up to $500 in expenses that a provider incurs in order to achieve or maintain compliance with family child care regulations. Reimbursement is made in the form of a grant award.

To receive an award, a provider must file a written application with the OCC Regional Licensing Office that issued the provider’s registration certificate. Please note: All Provider Grant program application packets must include a Verification Form, which can only be completed and signed by a representative from the Regional Licensing Office. Otherwise, the application will be returned. Grant awards are made on a one-time basis. Examples of program expenses that are eligible for reimbursement include: 

  • Safety supplies
  • Staff medical examination fees
  • Criminal background check fees
  • Small household repairs in approved child care areas
  • Approved child care training course fees
  • Most expenses related to local water, sewer, fire, and health requirements
  • Most program materials and equipment
  • Many other costs identified as necessary for completion of the registration process

 The Provider Grant Program is operated in accordance with regulations set forth at COMAR 13A.14.07. These regulations specify eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the method by which awards are made.

The following documents are available on-line. Prospective applicants should download, read and understand all the program documents before completing an application form.

To obtain:

To obtain additional information about the Provider Grant Program and a signed Verification Form, please call the Regional Licensing Office in your area, or call the Collaboration and Program Improvement Branch at (410) 767-8959.


Contact Information
Linda Zang, Chief, Head Start Collaboration and Program Development Branch
Division of Early Childhood Development
Maryland State Department of Education
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone:  (410) 767-0140
Email:  lzang@msde.state.md.us
Rolf Grafwallner, Ph.D., Assistant State Superintendent

Division of Early Childhood Development
Maryland State Department of Education

200 W. Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone:  (410) 767-0335
Email:  lscott@msde.state.md.us
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