Ensuring the well-being and #development of children in child care facilities is a responsibility that demands a thorough understanding of regulations and standards. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care (OCC) has recently updated their regulations, emphasizing the importance of compliance for child care providers. This article explores the significance of comprehending and implementing the updated regulations and introduces the revised COMAR licensing manuals, shedding light on their contents and how they serve as indispensable tools for both licensing #staff and child care providers.
Updates in Maryland State Licensing Regulations
The MSDE's Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care, has recently undertaken the crucial task of updating its regulations to better align with the evolving landscape of child care. These updates, effective as of November 2023, encompass a comprehensive review of standards, procedures, and expectations. It is imperative for child care providers to stay informed about these changes to maintain compliance and ensure the delivery of the highest quality care to children.
Revised COMAR Licensing Manuals
Integral to understanding and implementing the updated regulations are the revised Code of Maryland Regulation (COMAR) licensing manuals. These manuals have been meticulously updated and are now available for Large Family Child Care Homes, Letter of Compliance facilities, Child Care Centers, and Family Child Care. They serve as invaluable resources for licensing staff, licensed and registered child care providers, and individuals aspiring to become child care providers.
Importance of Keeping Up-to-Date with Regulations
Child care providers operate within a dynamic framework of regulations that evolve to address the ever-changing needs and standards in child care. Staying abreast of these changes is essential to maintaining compliance and ensuring the well-being, #safety, and development of the children under their care. Regular updates, such as those effective from November 2023, reflect a commitment to continuous improvement in the field of child care.
Use and Significance of Licensing Manuals
The Licensing Manuals act as comprehensive references for a diverse audience, including licensing staff and child care providers. These manuals are instrumental in interpreting and applying COMAR requirements during compliance inspections. By providing a consistent set of interpretive guidelines, the manuals facilitate fair and equitable assessments of compliance across different child care facilities.
Contents and Use of the Manuals
-
Chapter Organization: Each manual is structured into chapters, with each chapter corresponding to a specific COMAR chapter and subtitle. This organization ensures a direct alignment with the relevant regulations, making it easier for users to locate and understand the standards applicable to their specific child care setting.
-
Regulation Presentation: Within each chapter, the manual presents the full text of regulations in bold type, ensuring clarity and ease of reference. The guidance information, presented in italics, provides additional insights to aid in understanding the intent and application of each regulation.
-
Intent of the Regulation: The intent section elucidates the purpose and rationale behind each regulation, providing users with a deeper understanding of the standards and their significance in promoting child well-being and safety.
-
Inspection Report Item: The manual provides a direct link to the Electronic Licensing Inspection System (ELIS) inspection form or the paper Inspection Report, indicating where compliance or noncompliance with the regulation is recorded during an inspection.
-
Compliance Criteria: Specific elements that OCC licensing staff use to determine compliance are outlined in the Compliance Criteria. This section serves as a guide for child care providers, offering clarity on the expectations and standards set forth by the regulations.
-
Assessment Method: The Assessment Method details how licensing staff will evaluate compliance criteria, providing transparency in the evaluation process and ensuring consistency across different inspections.
-
Notes and References: The Notes section offers additional details, explanations, or references to resource materials and forms. These notes enhance understanding and serve as valuable resources for further clarification.
-
Forms and Resource Documents: Referenced forms and resource documents are easily accessible on the Licensing Branch website, streamlining the process for child care providers to access the necessary tools and documents.
Resources and Forms
The Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care (OCC) provides a variety of forms and resources to help #parents find and select quality child care and ensure that caregivers are able to fully support the children in their care.
The OCC forms can be found on the OCC website. You can also request a copy of the forms by calling the OCC at 410-569-8071.
ChildCareEd has also provided a link to these updated forms for your convenience.
MSDE Recently Updated Forms or Documents
In the realm of child care, understanding and implementing licensing regulations are fundamental to providing a safe, nurturing, and #developmentally appropriate environment for children. The recent updates in Maryland State licensing regulations underscore the commitment to enhancing the quality of child care services. The revised COMAR licensing manuals, serving as indispensable guides, empower licensing staff and child care providers with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure compliance and, ultimately, the well-being of the children they serve. As child care providers embrace these resources, they not only meet regulatory requirements but also contribute to the ongoing advancement of child care practices in Maryland.
Courses & Classes related to Maryland
Online Trainings
- 1,2,3, Eyes on Me: Classroom Safety
- 18-Hour Family Child Care Renewal Training
- 18-Hour Train the Trainer
- 1-Hour Abuse and Neglect Training
- 24 Hour Family Child Care Pre-Service Training ONLINE
- 3 Hour Aide Orientation
- 45-Hour Coaching and Mentoring
- 45 hour Growth and Development Birth-age 12 ONLINE
- 45-Hour Infant and Toddler Curriculum
- 45-Hour Preschool Curriculum
- 45-Hour School Age Curriculum
- 45 Hours Director-Administration ONLINE
- 9 Hour Communication Course
- A Better Space for All
- Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting
- Access for All: Inclusion and the ADA
- ACEs and Resilience in Child Care
- A Closer Look into Developmental Theories
- Admin as Mentors in Early Education
- Administering Basic Health and Safety ONLINE
- A Great Place for Education Includes All ONLINE
- A Guide to Effective Communication
- Allergies and Medication in Childcare
- Anxiety: Signs & Strategies
- Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children
- A Thoughtful Approach to Children's Mental Health
- Autism Awareness in Child Care
- A Watchful Eye: Supervision in Early Childhood
- Baby Play: Planning Infant and Toddler Activities
- Baby Steps to Milestones ONLINE
- Balance Act: Teacher & Child ONLINE
- Balancing Act: Record Keeping & Supervision
- Balancing Act: Schedules and Routines
- Basics 101: Coaching & Mentoring
- Beautiful Junk: Using Recycled Materials in the Classroom
- Behind the Scenes: Baby Routines ONLINE
- Be Loud, No Bullying Allowed
- Bienvenido! Welcoming All Families
- Brain Building
- Brain Injury Awareness in Young Children
- Bridging Intent and Response: Communication
- Brighter Futures: Social Emotional Development
- Building a Community of Families
- Building and Physical Premises Safety
- Building Early Science Foundations
- Building Equity: Inclusionary Practices in Preschool
- Business Planning: Family Child Care
- CDA: A Closer Look at Assessments
- CDA: Approaches to Learning
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Family Child Care
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Family Child Care without Portfolio Review
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Infant/Toddler
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Infant/Toddler without Portfolio Review
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Preschool
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Preschool without Portfolio Review
- CDA: Communication: Keep It Simple
- CDA: Creating the Outdoor Classroom
- CDA: Curriculum Alignment & Materials
- CDA: Essential Tools for Record Keeping
- CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Family Child Care Renewal
- CDA Home Visitor Credential Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 1 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 2 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 3 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 4 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 5 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 6 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 7 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 1 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 2 Birth to 5
- CDA Home Visitor Subject Area 8 Part 3 Birth to 5
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requisites
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Benefits to Observing
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Brain Development and Gene Expression
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Classroom Setup
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Health and Safety
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Importance of Consistent Care
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Individualized Learning and Inclusion
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Lesson Planning Made Easy
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Smart Nutrition & Feeding
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Stages of Development
- CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Infant/Toddler: Parent Relationships
- CDA Infant/Toddler Renewal
- CDA Introduction
- CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Preschool Renewal
- CDA: Special Needs: Understanding the Whole Child
- CDA: Stand With Respect and Professionalism
- CDA Subject Area 1
- CDA Subject Area 2
- CDA Subject Area 3
- CDA Subject Area 4
- CDA Subject Area 5
- CDA Subject Area 6
- CDA Subject Area 7
- CDA Subject Area 8
- Character Development for Childcare Professionals
- Chef's in the Classroom
- Childcare Management
- Child Care Orientation
- Children at the Wheel ONLINE
- Children's Keepers: Building Childhood Resilience
- Classroom Arrangement: The Second Teacher
- Classroom Designers ONLINE
- Classroom Management is Collaboration!
- Classroom Positivity
- Classroom Setup for Child Care
- Classroom Tools for Emergent Literacy
- Coaching and Mentoring Techniques
- Coaching/Mentoring DEI
- Collaboration for the Win
- Communication in Coaching and Mentoring
- Community and Family Engagement in Childcare
- Community Partnerships
- Confidentiality Is a Must!
- Coordinating with Community in Child Care
- Creating the Natural Outdoor Classroom
- Cultures in the Classroom
- Curriculum Planning
- DAP for Family Child Care
- DAP for Preschool
- Day 2 Day: Provider Responsibilities
- Designing Your School-Age Classroom ONLINE
- Developing a Successful Workshop
- Developing Program Tranquility
- Developmental Screening in Early Childhood
- Diverse Perspectives in Child Care
- Early Learning with Infants and Toddlers
- ECE Programs Through History
- Effective Coaching & Mentoring in ECE
- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness- Online
- Emergent Learning & Development
- Engaging Indoor Activities for Inclement Weather
- Engaging Parents in the Montessori Toddler Classroom
- Enhancing Life and Development
- Enhancing STEM Education for Infants and Toddlers
- Enriching Education: Field Trips
- Ethical Responsibilities for Trainers
- Evaluating Performance
- Expect the Unexpected: Infants and Toddlers
- Family (or Parent) Conferencing: Developing Trust ONLINE
- FAS in Early Childhood
- Financial Assistance for Child Care
- Fragile X Syndrome in Young Children
- Getting on the Right Path to Teaching
- Going Head-to-Head with Challenging Behavior
- Grow with Me: Child Development for Mixed Ages
- Guiding School-Aged Children
- Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials
- Healing Young Hearts: Stress and Grief
- Health and Nutrition
- Healthy Habits from the Start
- Heart-to-Heart Communication: Challenging Behaviors
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Depression in Young Children
- How Preschoolers Develop
- How To Keep A Healthy Class for Infants/Toddlers
- How To Keep A Healthy Class: Six Tips for Germ Control
- How to Manage Chronic Illness with Infants/Toddlers
- Identifying ADHD in Child Care
- IEPs and IFSPs in Family Child Care
- Implementing the Montessori Curriculum
- Inclusive Lessons for Preschoolers
- Inclusive Montessori: Supporting Diverse Learners in the Classroom
- Individual Needs & IEPs for School Age
- Injury Prevention: Their Safety Is In Your Hands
- Intentional Safety for Infants/Toddlers
- Introduction to Coaching & Mentoring
- Intro to Cerebral Palsy
- Intro to Montessori: Philosophy, Principles, and Practices
- It's All About the Timing
- Keeping Them Safe: Infants & Toddlers
- Key Elements of an After School Age Program ONLINE
- Leadership Through Mentorship
- Lesson Planning for Preschoolers
- Lesson Planning to Meet School Age Needs
- Let’s Talk: Effective Communication
- Letter & Number Planning in Child Care
- Mandated Reporters
- Mastering Observation Techniques in the Montessori Classroom
- Matchmaking for Mentors
- Math Foundations in Early Childhood
- Meaningful Lesson Planning for Infants/Toddlers
- Meeting Adult Learners' Needs
- Mental Health in Early Childhood
- Mentoring Professional Etiquette in Child Care
- Milestones: By Leaps & Bounds
- Mind's Medicine: Music in Early Childhood
- Montessori Assistant Training
- Montessori Essentials: Mixed-Age Mastery
- Montessori Foundations
- Montessori in Context: Decoding Educational Theories
- Montessori Unveiled: Demystifying the Method for Parents
- More than One Way to Look at it: Types of Early Childhood Education Programs
- Moving About the Classroom: Effective Transitions for Everyday
- Mysteries of Challenging Behavior Solved
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Care
- No Such Thing as Boring Math
- Observations And Goal Setting in Childcare
- Observing & Assessing in Child Care
- On My Plate: Children's Nutrition
- Open Ears: Listening in Child Care
- Open Heart, Open Art
- Opportunity for Growth: Emotional Development
- Ouch! Biting & Hitting Hurts
- Pillars of Health and Safety in Child Care
- Playful Spaces for Infants & Toddlers
- Playing with a Purpose: Infant/Toddler Lesson Planning
- Play, Learn, Grow Online Version
- Play Safe, Think Big: Literacy Through Play
- Positive Attention: Infants and Toddlers
- Positive Attention: Interactions & Supervision of Infants & Toddlers
- Potty Training Made Simple
- Power of Art: Bldg Self-Esteem & Positive Behavior for ALL Abilities ONLINE
- Preschool Assessments & Observations
- Presentation Strategies & Training Techniques
- Preventative Health and Safety
- Prevention of and Response to Allergic Reactions
- Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices
- Professional Integrity in Child Care
- Professional Partnerships & Practices
- Project-Based Learning for Children
- Raising Peaceful Learners: The Montessori Advantage
- Requirements of Trainers
- Resources: Building Blocks to Excellence
- Roadmapping Preschool Curriculum
- Role of Play in Learning
- Rooted in History: Early Childhood
- Safeguarding Young Lives: A Comprehensive Guide to Child Care Safety
- Safe Supervision in Child Care: Birth to School Age
- School Age Regs and Professionalism ONLINE
- Self-Regulation & Change: Helping Children Cope
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Shifting Gears to Respect
- Shoo, Germs! Don't Bother Me!
- SIDS: Saving Babies: A Change of Position, A Change in Tradition
- SMART Goals in Coaching & Mentoring
- Solutions NOT Punishments
- Spaces that Support Discovery
- Special Babies
- Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion
- Spicing Up the Classroom: Learning Centers
- Staff Supervision, Observation & Feedback
- Stay Alert! Steps to Emergency Prep Online Version
- Staying Positive: Guidance for Preschoolers
- Strength in Differences: Cultural Diversity
- Student Success: Expectations & Independence
- Success in Safety for Babies
- Super Special School Agers ONLINE
- Supervision with Intent for Admin
- Supporting Breastfeeding Practices In Child Care
- Supporting Children's Independence
- Supporting Children with Hearing Loss
- Supporting Little Hearts: Divorce and Separation in the Child Care Setting
- Supporting School Age Development ONLINE
- Supporting Skill Development: Children with Special Needs
- Supporting Social Learning: Creating Classrooms that Care
- Tailoring Instruction to Children's Needs
- Teacher/Child Interactions in the School-Age Classroom
- Teacher Mentoring in ECE
- Teacher & Me Playtime
- Teachers, Assemble! Building Up Staff in Child Care
- Teach with Respect ONLINE
- Technology as a Classroom Tool
- The Balancing Act for Administrators: Managing Responsibilities
- The Best Promotion is Play
- The Ethical Code of Child Care
- The First Year: Feeding Infants
- The Foundations of Coaching & Mentoring
- The Montessori Assistant's Toolkit
- Theories on How I Grow
- Theory of Learning
- Theory of Mentoring and Coaching in Early Childhood
- The Prepared Environment: Montessori Class Design
- The Right Kind of Influence for Young Children
- The Super Hero in Us All
- Toddlers and Theories
- Tomorrow's Einsteins: Infant and Toddler Science
- Training Guide for Families from Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds
- Transportation Safety
- Typical & Atypical Development in ECE
- Understanding Developmental Disabilities
- Understanding Montessori's Approach to Child Development
- Understanding Print Knowledge in Preschool
- Understanding the Coach's Role
- Universal Language of Coaching & Mentoring
- Using AI Language Models for Trainers
- Using Toys to Support Learning
- Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light
- Watch Me Grow: School Age Development ONLINE
- Ways to Serve: Leadership
- Working Together: Teachers & Preschoolers
- Working With Mixed Age Groups
- Writing Training Goals & Objectives
- Writing Workshop Proposals & Assessments
- You're Not My Friend Anymore: Learning Conflict Resolution
In-person/blended trainings
- 24-Hour Family Child Care Pre-Service Training
- 3 Hour Aide Orientation
- 45 Hour Child Growth and Development
- 45-Hour Director-Administration
- 45 Hour Infant and Toddler Methods and Materials
- 45 Hour Preschool Methods and Materials
- 45 Hour School Age Methods and Materials
- 6 Hour Medication Administration Training (MAT)
- A Better Space For All
- Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting
- Access for All: Inclusion and the ADA
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- Active Supervision: A Strategy That Works
- Addressing Bullying Among School Age Children
- Administering Basic Health and Safety Overview
- Adult/Child CPR AED and Adult First Aid Blended
- A Great Place for Education Includes ALL
- An Introduction to Child Development Theorists
- Are They Ready for Kindergarten?
- Art from the Heart for Preschoolers: Open Ended Art Projects that Build Self-Esteem
- Assessing through Observation
- Asthma, Allergy and Anaphylaxis Prevention and Management Training for Early Education Providers
- Authentic Montessori in Action
- AVERT (Active Shooter Skills)
- Baby Steps to Milestones
- Balancing Act: Teacher & Child
- Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Providers In-Person
- Basic Science in Early Childhood
- BBP (Bloodborne Pathogens)
- Beautiful Junk: Using Recycled Materials in the Classroom
- Behind the Scenes: Baby Routines
- Best Practice: Supervising Children
- Bridging Intent and Response: Communication
- Building Bridges for Dual Language Learners
- Business Planning: Family Child Care
- CDA Preparation: From Training to Application
- Child Care Orientation
- Childhood Basics: Discipline, Curriculum and Development
- Children at the Wheel: Emergent Curriculum
- Classroom Arrangement: The Second Teacher
- Classroom Designers
- Classroom Positivity
- Classroom Tools for Emergent Literacy
- Cooking up Success in the Preschool Curriculum
- CPR (Adult, Child, Infant), AED & Pediatric First Aid In Person
- CPR & AED Adult, Child, Infant
- CPR & AED Adult only
- Creating Routines for Love and Learning
- Curriculum Planning
- DAP for Family Child Care
- DAP for Preschool
- Designing Your School Age Classroom
- Developing Program Tranquility
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education
- Effective Supervision in Child Care
- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
- Emergent Learning & Development
- Engaging Families During a Pandemic
- Engaging Indoor Activities for Inclement Weather
- Enhancing Life & Development
- Exceptional Children and Early Intervention
- Facilitating Learning in the Preschool Classroom
- Family (or Parent) Conferencing: Developing Trust
- FIRST AID
- First Aid & CPR: RSV
- From Stress to Wellness
- From Tantrums to Triumphs: Equipping Preschoolers with Self-Regulation Skills
- Health and Nutrition
- Health & Nutrition
- Healthy Habits From the Start
- Help Me Sleep Safety: SIDS/SUID Prevention
- How To Keep A Healthy Class: Six Tips for Germ Control
- Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Key Elements of an After School Program
- Know Me For My Abilities
- Let's Talk: Skills for Effective Communication
- Look What I Can Do! Developmental Disabilities Overview
- Making Families Welcome
- Management Basics: Leadership, Planning and Budgeting
- Mandated Reporters
- Marketing Your Family Child Care
- Milestones: By Leaps & Bounds
- Module I - Budgets, Projections, and Planning for Center-Based Child Care Providers
- Module I - Budgets, Projections, and Planning for Family Child Care
- Module II - Financial Reports and Internal Controls for Center-Based Child Care Providers
- Module II - Financial Reports and Internal Controls for Family Child Care
- Module III – Marketing Your Program for Center-Based Child Care Providers
- Module III - Marketing Your Program for Family Child Care
- Module IV – Recruiting and Retaining Staff for Center-Based Child Care Providers
- Montessori Made Simple: For Today's Teachers
- More than one Way to Look at it: Types of Early Childhood Education Programs
- Moving About the Classroom: Effective Transitions for Everyday
- Nurture Me: Child Development for Young Children
- One World, Many Cultures!
- Ouch! Biting & Hitting Hurts
- Our School Age Family Tree: Children, Staff, & Parents
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support):
- Pediatric First Aid & CPR Adult, Child, Infant Blended
- Playful Learning: Infant & Toddler Activities
- Playful Spaces: Designing the Infant & Toddler Classroom
- Play, Learn, Grow
- Positive Attention: Interactions & Supervision for Infants & Toddlers
- Potty Training Made Simple
- Power of Art: Bldg Self-Esteem & Positive Behavior for ALL Abilities
- Quality Care...Supporting Families with Integrity
- Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Risk Reduction: Infants and Toddlers in Family Child Care
- Safe Haven: Health & Safety in Family Child Care
- SAFE SITTER (Safe Babysitting, ages 11-14)
- School Age Regs and Professionalism
- Seeing All of Me: Overview of Autism and ADHD
- Setting the Stage: Story Time
- Shifting Gears To RESPECT
- SIDS: Saving Babies: A Change of Position, A Change in Tradition
- Staff Supervision, Observation & Feedback
- Stay Alert! Steps for Emergency Prep
- Stressbusters: Stress Management for Childcare Providers
- Success in Safety for Babies
- Super Special School Agers
- Supporting Little Hearts: Divorce and Separation in the Child Care Setting
- Supporting School Age Development
- Supporting Social Learning: Creating Classrooms that Care
- Teach the Montessori Way: A Practical Guide
- Teach with Respect!
- Team: Together Everyone Achieves More
- The Balancing Act for Administrators: Managing Responsibilities
- The Best Promotion is Play
- The Montessori Classroom: Theory to Practice
- Theories on How I Grow
- The Subtle Teacher: Nonverbal Communication in the Classroom
- Toddlers and Theories
- Training Guide for Families from Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds
- Transportation and Field Trip Safety
- Turning Behavior Around for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Using AI Language Models for Trainers
- Watch Me Grow: School Age Development
- What Makes Me Special: An Overview of Autism and ADHD
- Wings of Independence