Step 1: 45-hour Growth & Development
Step 2: choose one 45-hour Curriculum course by age group
Step 3: add additional requirements
The Maryland 90-hour child care certification is a common name for the pre-service training that child care teachers need in Maryland. It includes 45 hours of Child Growth and Development and 45 hours of Curriculum or Methods and Materials. This training helps you understand how children grow, learn, and develop, and how to plan age-appropriate learning experiences.
What Is Included in the 90 Hours?
The first half is Child Growth and Development. This course covers development from birth through age 12, including physical growth, language, social-emotional development, thinking skills, observation, and assessment. You only need to take this 45-hour course one time.
The second half is Curriculum or Methods and Materials. This is the age-group course. It focuses on planning activities, setting up the learning environment, choosing materials, and using teaching strategies that fit children’s ages and stages.
Choose the Age Group You Want
You take the Curriculum or Methods and Materials course that matches the children you want to work with:
If you want to qualify in just one age group, you take Child Growth and Development once and then the matching Curriculum or Methods and Materials course for that group. If you want to build qualifications across multiple age groups, you can keep your 45-hour Child Growth and Development course and add the other age-group curriculum courses later.
What Other Training Does a Maryland Lead Teacher Need?
In addition to the 90-hour certification, Maryland lead teachers must complete:
- 9 Hour Communication Course
- Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness, completed within 90 days of employment
Where to Take Approved Training in Maryland
Approved training can be taken through MSDE-approved trainers and training organizations.
ChildCareEd is listed by Maryland as an approved training organization and an approved online training organization. It is also listed on Maryland’s approved 45-hour course list for Child Growth and Development, Infant/Toddler Curriculum, Preservice Curriculum, and School-Age Curriculum.
Can You Take the Maryland 90-Hour Certification Online?
Yes. ChildCareEd is an approved online training organization and our online 45 hour trainings are approved to fulfill these training requirements.
How to Get Started
Start by choosing the age group you want to work with. Then complete 45 hours of Child Growth and Development and the 45-hour Curriculum or Methods and Materials course for that age group. If you want to add another age group later, just add the new age-group course.
ChildCareEd offers Maryland-approved online training for these pathways, which can make it easier to start now and add more age groups later if your career goals grow.
