Maryland Department of Education announces new childcare recovery plan

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) says they have developed a plan to continue and expand childcare during the coronavirus pandemic.

As the state entered the first phase of recovery, MSDE announced the immediate start of a transition phase for child care, expanding access to include families returning to work under Governor Hogan’s latest executive order.

Parents returning to work as part of Maryland’s phase one opening of businesses can immediately access an open Essential Personnel Child Care or Essential Personnel School Age program, recently expanded by 125 sites and ready to provide care for over 21,000 more children than previously being served. All new families, not designated as essential persons under Hogan’s March 25th executive order, access child care will pay tuition directly to providers. The state will extend payment of childcare tuition for all pre-recovery phase essential personnel through June 7th, and beginning June 8th, child care tuition will be paid by all parents directly to the provider.

MSDE says they will ensure that there are Essential Personnel School-Age child care facilities available to provide care for students through the end of the school year. Additional child care providers can apply to open as new Essential Personnel Child Care or Essential Personnel School-Age programs. New child care sites will have to follow rigorous health and safety guidance and attend orientation webinar and regional conference calls. Each new site will receive a one-time grant of $800 for family-based centers and $1600 for child care centers to go towards cleaning, sanitation, and supplies.

Parents/guardians are strongly urged to keep children at home if possible, as the first and best option to protect them from the virus.

To read the full draft of Maryland’s Recovery Plan for Child Care, click here.