Thinking about a career in teaching or working with children in a child care setting? - post

Are you considering a career teaching or working with children in Maryland child care? This article summarizes Maryland training and certification paths for new and experienced child care staff. It also lists ChildCareEd courses that commonly support those steps. Start with our 45-Hour Growth and Development Buy Now $399.00 course and complete required health and safety training with Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness Buy Now ~~$35.00~~$30.00. If you aim for an assistant role, see our guide Early Years Teaching Assistant Courses: What to Know. Below we explain Maryland expectations, how to earn the MSDE 90-hour certification, and how to meet annual training requirements.

What training and education does Maryland require to work in child care?

Maryland requires combinations of education, approved coursework, and experience that vary by role and age group served. Community-college programs, certificate paths, and credentialing options support entry and advancement. For an accessible summary of common child-development career paths and typical degree/training expectations, see the examination of careers in child development from Western Governors University. For an example of community-college training paths that align with state-recognized credentials, see the College of DuPage program description.

References: WGU: 15 Best Careers in Child Development, College program example (Community college ECE).

How do I complete the MSDE 90-hour certification and which courses help?

Most people meet MSDE's 90-hour requirement by taking two 45-hour courses: one in Growth & Development and one age-specific curriculum course (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, or School-Age). ChildCareEd offers these courses both online and instructor-led. Examples include the 45-Hour Growth and Development Buy Now $399.00 and the 45-Hour Preschool Curriculum Buy Now ~~$399.00~~$199.00. For details on preschool training content, see our guide What should preschool teacher training cover and how do we deliver it well?. If you plan to use an MSDE voucher, confirm the voucher expiration and allowed delivery formats with your MSDE contact before you register.

If you need help choosing courses that match your credential goals, contact our registration team or your licensing specialist. Our guide Your Childcare Career with a CDA Credential shows sample training sequences and portfolio steps.

image in article Thinking about a career in teaching or working with children in a child care setting?

Maryland Child Care Center – Staff Requirements*

Position

Age

Education

Course Work

Experience1

Other Requirements

Continued Training

Aide

None

Within 6 months after hire complete an orientation session

6 clock hours4

Assistant
Child Care Teacher

(School-age)

• High school diploma, certificate of high school equivalency
or
• Successful completion of college courses for credit

3 semester or 45 clock hours or equivalent of approved coursework relating to school age children and→

400 hours3 working with school age children in an approved setting4

• At least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public5

6 clock hours6

15 clock hrs of approved college coursework, and→

600 hours3 working with school age children in an approved setting4

No coursework, and→

800 hours3 working with school age children in an approved setting4

Child Care Teacher

(Infant/Toddler)

• High school diploma, certificate of high school equivalency
or
• Successful completion of college courses for credit

• 6 semester, 90 clock hours2 or equivalent of approved early childhood coursework
For examples of approved preschool coursework materials that strengthen language and literacy skills, see our Language and Literacy Preschool Curriculum.
And

• 1 year of experience working with infants/toddlers and/or preschoolers in an approved setting3
or
• 1 year of college (30 semester hours),
or
• Combination of experience and college equal to 1 year

• At least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public5

12 clock hours6

• 3 semester, 45 clock hours or the equivalent of approved infant/toddler coursework

• 6 semester, 90 clock hours2 or equivalent of infant/toddler specific coursework

Child Care Teacher

(Preschool)

• High school diploma, certificate of high school equivalency
or
• Successful completion of college courses for credit

• 6 semester, 90 clock hours2 or equivalent of approved early childhood coursework
or

• 1 year of experience working with preschoolers in an approved setting3 or
• 1 year of college (30 semester hours),
or
• Combination of experience and college equal to 1 year

• At least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public5

12 clock hours6

• Approved as a teacher or educational Director for nursery school through third grade,
or

• Hold a teaching certificate from MSDE or any other state for nursery school through third grade

Child Care Teacher

(School-Age)

• High school diploma, certificate of high school equivalency

• 6 semester, 90 clock hours2 or equivalent of approved school-age coursework
Or

• 400 hrs of experience working with school-age children in an approved setting3
or
• 1 year of college (30 semester hours),
or
• Combination of experience and college equal to 1 year

• At least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public5

12 clock hours6

• Approved as a teacher or educational Director for kindergarten or grades 1-8, or

• Successful completion of college courses for credit

• Hold a teaching certificate from MSDE or any other state for kindergarten or grades 1-8

1 – If approved or certified to teach (Infant/Toddler and Preschool N, K-3 or School-Age K, 1-8) no experience is required.

2 – Approved coursework ½ child development and ½ curriculum planning.

3 – This requirement may be met through the following alternatives: Hold the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, Hold an Associates or higher degree with approved coursework in early childhood education, Approved as a teacher for grades Nursery-3, or Hold a teaching certificate from MSDE or any other state for early childhood in grades N-3. For more on what the CDA covers and how it supports careers, see Child Development and the Role of the CDA.

3 – One year (30 semester hours) may be substituted for up to 400 hours of experience.

4 – Approved setting means - licensed child care center, nursery school, church operated school, recreation and park program, registered family child care home or similar setting

5 – May be met through the successful completion of at least 1 academic college course taken for credit

6 – Continued training is to be completed each year of employment according to the Professional Development Plan, with a minimum of one-half in the Core of Knowledge and a maximum of one-half in elective training.

*Information obtained from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) child care licensing pages. Verify specific requirements and approvals on MSDE's site or with your licensing specialist.

What are the next steps and where can I find more help?

Decide which credential you want. Then enroll in the two 45-hour courses (Growth & Development plus an age-appropriate curriculum course) to satisfy the MSDE 90-hour pathway. Always confirm voucher rules and whether MSDE will accept the course format before you register. If you plan to pursue a CDA, the 30-hour Bridge Bundle can help with coursework and portfolio preparation. For sample training sequences, help documenting courses on a resume, or portfolio advice, contact our registration team.

What are the key takeaways and next steps?

1. Choose your target credential (assistant, teacher, or CDA) and confirm Maryland-specific requirements with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) or your licensing specialist.

2. Complete the 45-hour Growth & Development course and an age-appropriate 45-hour curriculum course to follow the MSDE 90-hour pathway, or use approved alternatives where applicable.

3. Maintain required annual professional development hours, record training in your professional development plan, and verify reporting rules with your employer or registry.

In summary, plan your credential pathway, enroll in the core 45-hour courses (Growth & Development plus an age-appropriate curriculum course), and confirm MSDE voucher eligibility and course-format acceptance before you register. For help with sequencing, resumes, or CDA portfolio steps, contact our registration team or your licensing specialist.

Topics: #Maryland #MSDE #ECE #CDA #Certification

Check the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Child Care licensing pages or your licensing specialist for the most current state requirements and approvals.

What should I do next?

Confirm the specific MSDE pathway for the role you want. Complete the two 45-hour courses (Growth & Development and an age-appropriate curriculum course) or other approved alternatives, and keep annual professional development current. Contact MSDE, your licensing specialist, or our registration team for voucher rules, documentation, and to verify acceptance of course formats.

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