Childcare Subsidies in Maryland
Financial assistance programs to help Maryland families pay for daycare and childcare.
Maryland Child Care Scholarship
Scholarships, not vouchers. Higher income limits than most states.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Maryland
Application Process
Apply for the Maryland Child Care Scholarship through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) online at earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org. Maryland calls its subsidy a 'scholarship' rather than a voucher. The online application is well-designed and guides you through each step. Documents needed include proof of income, Maryland residency, Social Security numbers, child birth certificates, and verification of work or education activity. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Maryland has one of the faster processing systems on the East Coast.
Co-Pay Structure
Maryland's co-pay structure is generous, reflecting the state's high cost of living and income ceiling ($74,076 for a family of four). Families below 25% SMI pay $0. Above that, co-pays are on a sliding scale and are assessed as a monthly amount per family. A family of four earning $50,000 might pay $100-$200/month total. Maryland recently committed to reducing co-pays so that no family pays more than 7% of income, making it one of the more affordable programs in the mid-Atlantic.
Waitlist Reality
Maryland eliminated its child care scholarship waitlist in 2023 and has maintained no-waitlist status since. All eligible families who apply are served. This was a major policy change after years of waitlists that sometimes exceeded 20,000 families. The state funded this expansion through a combination of federal ARPA dollars, CCDF funds, and state appropriations. However, watch for potential funding cliffs if federal dollars decrease.
Additional Programs in Maryland
Maryland's Pre-K Expansion program provides free pre-K for 4-year-olds from families at or below 300% FPL, and the state is working toward universal pre-K. Maryland Excels (the state's QRIS) rates providers on a 1-5 scale. Head Start is available in most Maryland jurisdictions. Montgomery County and Howard County have their own supplemental early childhood programs. Maryland also offers a state Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The Judy Centers (in Title I school zones) provide comprehensive early childhood services.
Tips for Maryland Parents
Apply online for the fastest processing. If your child is 4, check whether your county offers the Pre-K Expansion program (many do), which is free and can be combined with the scholarship for wraparound care. Choose a Maryland Excels Level 4 or 5 provider for the highest quality. Reauthorization is every 12 months; the MSDE system sends reminders, but set your own calendar alert 45 days before expiration. If you live in Baltimore City, also check Baltimore's Head Start and Judy Center programs for additional resources.
Federal Programs Available Everywhere
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. Reduces taxable income.
Head Start / Early Head Start
Free federally funded program for children from low-income families. Head Start: ages 3-5. Early Head Start: birth to 3.
Eligibility: At or below federal poverty level (family of 4: ~$31,200 in 2024).
See Daycare Costs in Maryland
Compare childcare prices across 24 counties in Maryland. Center-based infant care averages $14,631/year.
View Maryland daycare costs →