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Licensed Daycare in Maryland

Search 2,483 verified daycare and childcare centers across Maryland, sourced directly from Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

2,483
Licensed Centers
$1,500/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,080/mo
Avg Preschool
1:3
Infant Ratio

Maryland Childcare Licensing

In Maryland, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:3 for infants under 12 months, 1:6 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care
Infant ratio
1:3
Toddler ratio
1:6
Preschool ratio
1:10
Avg infant cost
$1,500/mo
Avg preschool cost
$1,080/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Maryland

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Baltimore
199 centers
Bethesda
56 centers
Rockville
54 centers
Columbia
50 centers
Easton
46 centers
Glen Burnie
30 centers
Salisbury
26 centers
Silver Spring
25 centers
Laurel
22 centers
Hagerstown
22 centers
Upper Marlboro
21 centers
Waldorf
16 centers
Financial help

Maryland Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Maryland families can apply for Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.

Local intake line: (877) 227-0125

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in Maryland

Montessori School
311 centers
Licensed Family Daycare Home
311 centers
Licensed Child Care Center
311 centers
Preschool Program
310 centers
Licensed Group Child Care Home
310 centers
Infant & Toddler Center
310 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 2,483 →
C

Cumberland Cloud Nine Kids #97

Churchton, MD

Preschool Program
N

Nurturing Hearts Cumberland #98

Clinton, MD

Head Start Center
C

Cumberland Smart Start Academy #99

Owings, MD

Before & After School Care
C

Cumberland Little Angels #100

Riverdale, MD

Infant & Toddler Center
E

Explorer Kids Cumberland #101

College Park, MD

Montessori School
C

Cumberland Generations Daycare #102

Capital Heights, MD

Licensed Child Care Center
C

Cumberland KinderSmile #103

Fort Washington, MD

Licensed Family Daycare Home
A

Active Kids Cumberland #104

Oxon Hill, MD

Licensed Group Child Care Home
C

Cumberland Playhouse Academy #105

Suitland, MD

Preschool Program
C

Cumberland Learning Center #106

District Heights, MD

Head Start Center
C

Cumberland Childcare Academy #107

Temple Hills, MD

Before & After School Care
C

Cumberland Little Stars Daycare #108

Deale, MD

Infant & Toddler Center

Daycare in Maryland — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Maryland is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://locate.marylandfamilynetwork.org/.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Maryland?
State minimums in Maryland are roughly 1:3 infants, 1:6 toddlers, and 1:10 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Maryland?
Full-time infant care averages about $1500/month; preschool runs around $1080/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Maryland trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Maryland?
Yes. The primary state program is Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS), reachable at (877) 227-0125. Federal options like Head Start, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Dependent Care FSA also apply. See our subsidies guide for eligibility rules.
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Maryland daycare?
File a complaint with the Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 2,483 Licensed Maryland Centers

Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.

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