Agency: Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) – Office of Child Care
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: The Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care licenses and regulates child care centers, family child care homes, and large family child care homes. The office provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.
Program: Maryland EXCELS
Website: https://marylandexcels.org
Description: Maryland EXCELS is Maryland's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), supporting continuous quality improvement through coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and quality recognition.
Registry: Maryland Child Care Credential Program
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Maryland's professional development system supports early childhood professionals through credentialing, training, career advancement, and continuing education opportunities.
Organization: Maryland Family Network
Website: https://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org
Description: Maryland Family Network administers the state's Child Care Resource & Referral system, providing referrals, technical assistance, coaching, professional development, and business support for providers and families.
Organization: Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children (MDAEYC)
Website: https://www.mdaeyc.org
Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.
Organization: Maryland State Department of Education – Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs
Website: https://marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Administers Maryland's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.
Agency: Maryland State Department of Education – Office of Child Care
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Child care providers and employees must complete criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and child protective services clearances before working in licensed child care settings.
Program: Maryland Prekindergarten Program
Website: https://marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Maryland's Prekindergarten Program provides high-quality, state-funded preschool opportunities for eligible children and continues expanding through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
Program: Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
Website: https://health.maryland.gov
Description: Provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families through coordinated services.
Organization: Maryland State Department of Education
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for Maryland's early childhood professionals.
Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, safe sleep practices, and ongoing professional development. Credential advancement opportunities are available through the Maryland Child Care Credential Program.
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.
Website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org
Description: Stay informed about licensing updates, policy changes, grant opportunities, quality initiatives, professional development, and early childhood news throughout Maryland.
Agency: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: The Department of Early Education and Care licenses and regulates child care centers, family child care homes, school-age programs, and residential programs throughout Massachusetts. The department provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.
Program: Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/quality-rating-and-improvement-system-qris
Description: Massachusetts' Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) supports continuous quality improvement through coaching, professional development, technical assistance, and quality recognition for early childhood programs.
Registry: Massachusetts Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/eec-professional-qualifications-registry
Description: Massachusetts' Professional Qualifications Registry allows early childhood professionals to maintain education, credentials, and training records while supporting career advancement and workforce development.
Organization: Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies of Massachusetts
Website: https://www.mass211.org/child-care
Description: Massachusetts' Child Care Resource & Referral agencies provide referrals, technical assistance, coaching, professional development, and business support for child care providers and families.
Organization: Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MassAEYC)
Website: https://www.massaeyc.org
Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.
Organization: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Website: https://www.doe.mass.edu
Description: Administers Massachusetts' Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.
Agency: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: Child care providers and employees must complete comprehensive background checks, including fingerprinting and required state and federal clearances before working in licensed child care settings.
Program: Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: The Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative expands access to high-quality preschool opportunities through partnerships between public schools and community-based early childhood programs.
Program: Massachusetts Early Intervention Program
Website: https://www.mass.gov/early-intervention-program
Description: Provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families through coordinated services.
Organization: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for Massachusetts' early childhood professionals.
Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness, medication administration (when applicable), and ongoing professional development.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
Description: Stay informed about licensing updates, policy changes, grant opportunities, quality initiatives, professional development, and early childhood news throughout Massachusetts.
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