Child Care Support Services

Child Resource Connect improves the quality of child care for children from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds through professional development and technical assistance opportunities for 2,500 early child care providers each year. We hold approximately 250 trainings for early child educators annually which cover all Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements for quality child care service delivery, including the 45-Hour Infant/Toddler Pre-Service Course and social-emotional trainings for both preschool age children and infants and toddlers.

We also offer more individualized coaching and technical assistance to child care providers including on-site and virtual consultations for child care centers and family child care homes. Additionally, we hired a full-time business coach in 2022 and offer intensive training for prospective child care owners and operators through small-group cohorts. These opportunities are designed to ensure that individuals have the knowledge and skills necessary to launch successful child care businesses, increase the number of available child care slots, and create high-quality child care opportunities in the communities most in-need of this critical infrastructure.

Also new in 2022, we now have three Family Resource Specialists who are dedicated to helping parents find child care that meets their needs. These team members play a critical role in helping families access the Child Care Scholarship, Maryland’s child care voucher.

Become a Licensed Child Care Provider

Child Resource Connect is a member organization of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network with funding from the MSDE through Maryland Family Network. Our Community Programs division supports families and children through educational programs and technical assistance for the child care provider community. For information on becoming a licensed child care provider, call your MSDE’s local Office of Child Care - Anne Arundel County Region 1 at 410.305.9890 or Prince George's County Region 4 at 301.333.6940 .

Take Advantage of Our Resource Centers

Our Resource Centers offer a variety of services to support early childhood educators as they start and expand programs, as well as the day-to-day maintenance of program standards. This includes telephone consultation as well as site visits to both child care centers and family child care homes. Technical assistance coordinators work closely with the early childhood mental health consultants to provide services to caregivers who are experiencing behavioral issues with children in their programs and/or providers experiencing issues with caring for children with special needs.

For information or assistance contact: Jacqueline Johnson at 202.641.5023 - Largo Office, or Stacey King at 443.782.5005 - Annapolis Office

Training

Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC)

The GOFCC program is uniquely designed to support aspiring family child care providers in obtaining their registration within a four-month timeframe. Each cohort consists of 10 dedicated participants, all working towards securing their registration from the Office of Child Care. The program offers the following benefits:

- One-on-One Support: Receive personalized guidance from a dedicated Coordinator and benefit from peer mentorship.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow participants and industry professionals.
- Monthly Cohort Meetings: Four monthly sessions, with dates and times provided in advance.
- Bi-Weekly Check-ins: Regular one-on-one progress assessments scheduled every two weeks.
- Free Training: Includes CPR/First-Aid, Medication Administration, ADA compliance, Emergency Preparedness, SIDS awareness, Basic Health and Safety, Supporting Breastfeeding, and a 24-hour pre-service training.
- Free Background Check: All participants receive a complimentary background check.
- Paid Inspections: Coverage for necessary inspections, including Use and Occupancy, Zoning, and Fire Inspections.
- Free Business Training: Comprehensive training to support your child care business.
- Pre-Inspection and Application Review: Ensures readiness before the Office of Child Care inspection.
- $300 Stipend: $150 awarded upon registration with the Office of Child Care, with an additional $150 provided during Phase 2 after enrolling in business coaching, Maryland Excels, Maryland Credentialing, and completing your 18-hour service training.
- Free Equipment and Resources: Includes a laptop, printer/scanner, resource swag bag, and a Bright Wheel subscription, provided upon receiving registration from the Office of Child Care.
- Cozy Corner Start-Up Kit: Free items to support social-emotional development in children.

This program is designed to empower participants, providing them with the resources and support needed to successfully launch their family child care business.

Flyer (English and Spanish)

Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC)

Complete this form if you are a potential family child care provider and are interested in joining a GOFCC cohort.

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73760

Technical Assistance: Infant & Toddler Services

Visit or Reserve our Resource Rooms

We offer Resource Rooms at both our Largo and Annapolis locations for workshops, materials, and tools to support your work. The rooms are available for use during our regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5pm), and can also be reserved for evening workshops. Please arrive at least twenty minutes before scheduled workshops to browse through informational tables and displays.

Within each Resource Room are samples of MSDE-approved curriculums, an Accu-cut machine, book-binding machine, paper cutter, heavy duty stapler, waxer and laminating machines, as well as reference materials and children’s books. Use of the equipment is free; however, there is a small fee for certain supplies.

Contact our Largo location | Contact our Annapolis location

Assistance with Maryland Excels

The publication was produced as a work for hire for the benefit of and with funds from Maryland State Department of Education.

Child Resource Connect is a member of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network with funding provided from the Maryland State Department of Education, through Maryland Family Network.

Child Care Support Services

Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC)

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