How to Start a Daycare with the Right Qualifications - post

Are you curious about how to start a #daycare with the right qualifications? We are here to help answer that and many more questions!

In Maryland, as in many other places, specific qualifications are required for individuals who want to start a daycare. These qualifications are in place to ensure the #safety, well-being, and #development of children in childcare settings. Here are some reasons why qualifications are typically necessary:

Why do I need to meet Education and Training qualifications?

• Child Safety and Well-being:
  • Regulations often include specific requirements related to health and safety standards to ensure that the environment is suitable for children and minimizes potential hazards.
• Educational and Developmental Needs:
  • Qualifications may involve education and training in child development, #early-childhood-education, or a related field. This helps ensure that caregivers understand the developmental needs of children and can provide appropriate learning opportunities. Qualified individuals are better equipped to create and implement age-appropriate educational and #developmental programs that support the #growth-and learning of children in your care.
• Health and Emergency Preparedness:
  • Qualifications may include training in first aid and CPR to address any emergencies that may arise. This is crucial for the well-being of the children in case of accidents or health-related incidents.
• Compliance with State Regulations:
  • Maryland has specific regulations and licensing requirements for daycare providers. Being qualified means that you are aware of and comply with these regulations, ensuring the legal and ethical operation of your daycare.
• Professionalism and Accountability:
  • Qualifications demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and accountability in the field of childcare. It helps build trust with #parents who entrust you with the care and development of their children.
• Parental Confidence:
  • Parents are more likely to trust and choose a daycare that employs qualified staff. Qualifications provide a level of assurance to parents that their children are in capable hands.

Maryland Licensing Regulations

Before starting a daycare in Maryland, it's important to thoroughly research and understand the licensing regulations and qualifications required by the state. The Maryland Office of Child Care (OCC) is responsible for licensing and regulating child care providers in the state, and they can provide detailed information on the specific requirements for starting and operating a daycare in Maryland.

Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch has developed licensing manuals for Child Care Centers, Family Child Care, and Large Family Child Care Homes. The Licensing Manuals are used as a reference for Office of Child Care (OCC) licensing staff, licensed and registered child care providers, and for those who apply to become child care providers.  Each Manual primarily provides assistance in interpreting and applying Code Of Maryland Regulation (COMAR) requirements when conducting compliance inspections of child care facilities.

Included in these manuals are staff requirements for employment which include education and training directors and family child care providers.

Maryland Training Requirements

Pre-Service Trainings for All Staff:

6 Hour Medication Administration

Gain skills to administer medications safely to children in child care centers and family child care homes. This state-approved curriculum provides 6 clock hours of MSDE Core of Knowledge: Health, Safety, and Nutrition and addresses NAEYC standards for program accreditation. Area's reviewed include practices and procedures for administering over-the-counter and prescription medications in accordance with state child care licensing requirements; instruction is provided by qualified health professionals. A Medication Administration handbook is provided in class. 

First Aid & CPR Blended

ChildCareEd is committed to ensuring the #safety and well-being of infants and adults through its First Aid and CPR AED Certification Course. The course covers techniques for responding to a variety of #emergency situations, including administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using automated external defibrillators (AEDs), controlling bleeding, and addressing injuries and illnesses until professional medical help arrives. Participants learn through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, enabling them to confidently and effectively respond to emergencies and potentially save lives. This comprehensive program, taught by an approved HSI trainer, equips individuals with essential life-saving skills while ensuring they meet OSHA requirements and industry standards. 

Course Format:

• Blended Learning: The course is divided into two parts – an online portion and a skills verification session with a live trainer.
• Online Portion: Students complete the first part of the course online, which can be done from home or office. The online link for this portion is provided separately. Upon completion, you will be issued a certificate that you will need to present on the day of the skills verification session. 
• Skills Verification: After completing the online portion, #students need to attend a skills verification session with a live trainer.

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

This course is currently aligned with Maryland's standards and regulations and meets the 6-hour #emergency- #preparedness training requirement under #COMAR regulations which require family childcare and/or at least one center staff to have.

Emergencies can happen at any time and to anyone. This in-depth course will help childcare providers learn what to do when disaster strikes and how to be better prepared.

Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act 

Participants will identify the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applicable to child care settings; demonstrate an understanding of inclusionary practices and accommodations based on research based best practices and national standards for child care settings; identify appropriate accommodations based on children’s individual needs; demonstrate awareness of appropriate resources. This 3-hour Instructor-Led Zoom training is designed to meet ADA and Inclusion training requirements for MSDE.

Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness

To meet state and federal requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), all child care providers must successfully complete a basic #health-and-safety training. In Maryland, this requirement extends to all staff, substitutes, and adults responsible for the care and safety of children in a licensed child care program.

SIDS: Saving Babies: A Change of Position, A Change in Tradition (for providers requesting approval to provide care for children younger than 24 months old)

The Child Care and Development Fund #health-and safety requirements for providers receiving federal financial assistance include training in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and the use of #safe-sleeping practices.

Losing a child is a devastating tragedy, especially if it is preventable. About 2,300 babies in the United States die of SIDS each year, and some of those deaths occur in childcare programs. We created this course to inform all childcare providers about safe sleep requirements and practices in an effort to save our most vulnerable.

Director Required Training:

45 Hours Director-Administration

Are you ready to take your child care career to the next level and step into a vital #administrative role? The 45-Hour Director-Administrator Course at ChildCareEd is your ticket to becoming a skilled leader who can expertly administer and manage a child care program in compliance with state and government regulations. The 45-Hour Director-Administrator Course at ChildCareEd is the gateway to a rewarding and impactful career in child care administration. As a leader, you will shape the future of the child care programs you oversee, ensuring they provide high-quality care and educational experiences for children. This comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to lead and manage a child care program. This 45 hour certification course satisfies the MSDE requirement for 45 hours of administrative training for child care center directors.

24 Hour Family Child Care Pre-Service Training ONLINE: 

This certification course satisfies the 24 Hour Family Childcare Pre-Service training. Gain a broad overview of major concepts, theories and research related to the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of the child from birth through age 12. This course covers 4 hours in each of the following domains, community, child development, special needs, curriculum, professionalism, and health safety and nutrition, required to meet MSDE Family Childcare training module outcomes. You must successfully complete all course requirements to receive a certificate. Aligns with MD Staff Credential levels 2-4. Students will earn 24 clock hours of approved training: for initial registration for #home-daycare. Students will receive 24 clock hours of approved MSDE training that includes 4 clock hours in each of the six core of knowledge competencies.

18-Hour Family Child Care Renewal Training:

During the first year of registration, 18 clock hours of approved training are required for Family child care providers These clock hours must include mixed-age instruction. By the end of each 12-month period after the first full year of registration, a total of 12 clock hours of approved continued training

Continued Education Requirements:

All providers are required to complete a minimum of 12 clock hours of continued training annually. The Maryland Department of Education requires that all childcare providers complete a minimum of 6 out of their 12 required clock hours of continued training in any of the following core of knowledge areas:

• Child Development
• Curriculum
• Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Special Needs
• Professionalism
• Community

Continued training for directors and family child care providers is essential for several reasons, as it helps maintain high-quality standards in #early-childhood education and childcare. Here are some key reasons why ongoing professional development and training are important:

Why is Ongoing Professional Development Important?

• Stay Informed on Best Practices:
  • The field of early childhood education is dynamic, and best practices evolve over time. Continued training allows directors to stay informed about the latest research, methodologies, and approaches in childcare and education.
• Adapt to Changing Regulations:
  • State regulations and licensing requirements for child care centers may change over time. Regular training ensures that directors are aware of and compliant with the latest regulatory standards. Success means not only learning how to start a daycare with success but also how to maintain that success and meet important regulation requirements.
• Enhance Leadership and Management Skills:
  • Directors are responsible for leading and managing a child care center. Ongoing training helps them develop and enhance their leadership, communication, and management skills, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the center.
• Address Emerging Challenges:
  • New challenges and issues may emerge in the field of childcare. Continued training provides directors with the tools and knowledge to address emerging issues, whether they relate to child development, staff management, or other aspects of center operations.
• Improve Program Quality:
  • Directors play a key role in shaping the educational programs offered at the child care center. Training allows them to continually refine and improve these programs to meet the developmental needs of the children in their care.
• Ensure Child Safety and Well-being:
  • Child care directors need to be well-versed in health and safety protocols. Regular training ensures that they are up-to-date on the latest safety standards, emergency procedures, and health guidelines to maintain a #safe-environment for children.
• Meet Professional Development Requirements:
  • Many licensing bodies and accreditation agencies require directors to engage in ongoing professional development as part of their licensing or accreditation requirements. Compliance with these requirements is essential for maintaining the center's legal standing.

By participating in continued training, child care center directors can ensure that they are well-equipped to provide a nurturing, educational, and safe environment for the children in their care. It's a proactive approach to professional development that benefits not only the directors themselves but also the entire child care community.

Read more about How to Open a Child Care Center or Pre-school in Maryland.