Child Care Scholarship Program
Maryland child care subsidy. Administered by: Maryland State Department of Education
The program has a waitlist because demand exceeds available funding.
Maryland state guide
Childcare centers in Maryland
Maryland has 6,595 childcare centers and homes in its state licensing records, across 360 cities. Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch handles licensing. This guide covers how to check a license, how subsidy works, and how to find a center in your city.
Data updated October 1, 2026 · Source: Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch (opens in a new tab) public records · How we compile this →
Largest cities for childcare in Maryland
Ranked by centers and homes on file. Each city page lists every center in that city.
- 01Baltimore1,000 centers and homes
- 02Silver Spring341 centers and homes
- 03Frederick205 centers and homes
- 04Rockville172 centers and homes
- 05Columbia168 centers and homes
- 06Laurel150 centers and homes
- 07Gaithersburg137 centers and homes
- 08Germantown133 centers and homes
- 09Waldorf130 centers and homes
- 10Bowie110 centers and homes
- 11Hagerstown107 centers and homes
- 12Upper Marlboro98 centers and homes
Centers and homes listed per city, of 6,595 in Maryland.
All 360 Maryland citiesAll 360 cities in Maryland, A to Z
Jump to a letter, or open a group below.
A · 12 cities
B · 27 cities
- Baldwin1 center
- Balltimore1 center
- Baltimore1000 centers
- Barclay1 center
- Barnesville1 center
- Bel Air76 centers
- Bel Alton1 center
- Belair1 center
- Belcamp15 centers
- Beltsville24 centers
- Berlin17 centers
- Berwyn Heights6 centers
- Bethesda87 centers
- Bladensburg2 centers
- Boonsboro11 centers
- Bowie110 centers
- Boyds10 centers
- Brandywine20 centers
- Brentwood1 center
- Brookeville3 centers
- Brooklandville1 center
- Brooklyn Park4 centers
- Brunswick16 centers
- Bryans Road3 centers
- Bryantown3 centers
- Burtonsville20 centers
- Bushwood2 centers
C · 46 cities
- Cabin John1 center
- California20 centers
- Callaway3 centers
- Cambridge16 centers
- Camp Springs5 centers
- Capital Heights1 center
- Capitol Heights47 centers
- Carney1 center
- Carvel Beach1 center
- Cascade2 centers
- Catonsville29 centers
- Catosnville1 center
- Cecilton1 center
- Centreville17 centers
- Charlestown1 center
- Charlotte Hall4 centers
- Cheltenham2 centers
- Chesapeake Beach7 centers
- Chesapeake City3 centers
- Chester4 centers
- Chestertown11 centers
- Cheverly5 centers
- Chevy Chase16 centers
- Childs1 center
- Chillum1 center
- Church Hill8 centers
- Churchton3 centers
- Churchville7 centers
- Clarksburg48 centers
- Clarksville13 centers
- Clear Spring4 centers
- Clements2 centers
- Clinton40 centers
- Cobb Island1 center
- Cockeysville18 centers
- College Park16 centers
- Colora4 centers
- Columbia168 centers
- Conowingo1 center
- Cordova5 centers
- Cresaptown3 centers
- Crisfield4 centers
- Crofton15 centers
- Crownsville8 centers
- Crumpton1 center
- Cumberland33 centers
D · 13 cities
E · 12 cities
F · 16 cities
- Fairplay3 centers
- Fallston13 centers
- Federalsburg11 centers
- Finksburg12 centers
- Forest Heights1 center
- Forest Hill19 centers
- Forestville10 centers
- Fork1 center
- Fort Washington51 centers
- Frederick205 centers
- Freeland1 center
- Friendship1 center
- Frostburg10 centers
- Fruitland11 centers
- Fulton7 centers
- Funkstown3 centers
G · 19 cities
- Gaithersburg137 centers
- Galena2 centers
- Gambrills21 centers
- Garrett Park3 centers
- Germantown133 centers
- Glen Arm1 center
- Glen Burnie92 centers
- Glenarden3 centers
- Glenelg4 centers
- Glenn Dale6 centers
- Glenwood3 centers
- Glyndon3 centers
- Goldsboro4 centers
- Grantsville1 center
- Grasonville5 centers
- Great Mills12 centers
- Greenbelt11 centers
- Greensboro6 centers
- Gwynn Oak24 centers
H · 19 cities
- Hagerstown107 centers
- Halethorpe8 centers
- Hampstead15 centers
- Hancock3 centers
- Hanover27 centers
- Harford2 centers
- Harwood3 centers
- Havre de Grace15 centers
- Hebron7 centers
- Helen1 center
- Henderson3 centers
- Highland2 centers
- Hollywood17 centers
- Hughesville8 centers
- Hunt Valley4 centers
- Huntingtown29 centers
- Hurlock25 centers
- Hyattsville54 centers
- Hydes1 center
J · 5 cities
K · 7 cities
L · 21 cities
- La Plata22 centers
- Landover23 centers
- Landover Hills5 centers
- Lanham52 centers
- LaPlata9 centers
- Largo7 centers
- Laurel150 centers
- Lavale2 centers
- Laytonsville2 centers
- Leonardtown18 centers
- Lexington Park26 centers
- Lineboro3 centers
- Linthicum13 centers
- Linthicum Heights1 center
- Lisbon1 center
- Loch Lynn1 center
- Lonaconing1 center
- Lothian5 centers
- Lusby18 centers
- Lutherville18 centers
- Lutherville-Timonium1 center
M · 26 cities
- Manchester11 centers
- Marbury2 centers
- Mardela Springs3 centers
- Marriottsville8 centers
- Marydel4 centers
- Maryland1 center
- Maugansville1 center
- Mechanicsville27 centers
- Michellville1 center
- Middle River10 centers
- Middletown19 centers
- Millers1 center
- Millersville17 centers
- Millington5 centers
- Mitchellville16 centers
- Monkton7 centers
- Monrovia14 centers
- Montgomery Village27 centers
- Monvrovia1 center
- Morningside3 centers
- Mount Airy39 centers
- Mount Rainier6 centers
- Mountain Lake Park1 center
- Mt Airy3 centers
- Mt Lake Park1 center
- Myersville8 centers
N · 12 cities
O · 10 cities
P · 23 cities
- Park Hall1 center
- Parkton3 centers
- Parkville26 centers
- Parsonsburg5 centers
- Pasadena57 centers
- Perry Hall9 centers
- Perryville7 centers
- Phoenix5 centers
- Pikesville22 centers
- Pittsville3 centers
- Pocomoke5 centers
- Pocomoke City2 centers
- Point of Rocks2 centers
- Pomfret2 centers
- Poolesville6 centers
- Port Deposit3 centers
- Port Republic5 centers
- Port Tobacco1 center
- Potomac42 centers
- Preston14 centers
- Prince Frederick18 centers
- Princess Anne16 centers
- Pylesville1 center
R · 16 cities
S · 33 cities
- Sabillasville3 centers
- Saint Inigoes1 center
- Saint James1 center
- Saint Leonard10 centers
- Saint Michaels1 center
- Salisbury69 centers
- Sandy Spring4 centers
- Savage3 centers
- Scaggsville1 center
- Scotland1 center
- Seabrook2 centers
- Seat Pleasant4 centers
- Secretary1 center
- Severn46 centers
- Severna Park29 centers
- Shady Side7 centers
- Sharpsburg4 centers
- Sharptown1 center
- Silver Spring341 centers
- Smithsburg12 centers
- Snow Hill4 centers
- Solomons3 centers
- Sparks4 centers
- Sparrows Point2 centers
- Spencerville3 centers
- Springdale7 centers
- Stevensville20 centers
- Street2 centers
- Sudlersville4 centers
- Suitland23 centers
- Sunderland3 centers
- Swanton1 center
- Sykesville23 centers
T · 9 cities
U · 5 cities
W · 23 cities
- Waldorf130 centers
- Walkersville18 centers
- Welcome2 centers
- West Friendship2 centers
- Westernport1 center
- Westminster42 centers
- Westover2 centers
- Whaleyville2 centers
- Wheaton4 centers
- White Hall3 centers
- White Marsh6 centers
- White Plains28 centers
- Whiteford2 centers
- Whitemarsh1 center
- Willards3 centers
- Williamsport11 centers
- Windsor Mill29 centers
- Wittman1 center
- Woodbine4 centers
- Woodlawn1 center
- Woodsboro4 centers
- Woodstock3 centers
- Worton3 centers
Maryland childcare centers by county
24 Maryland counties have licensed centers or homes on file, ranked here by how many. Montgomery County has the most, with 1,196 centers and homes.
- Montgomery County1,196 centers and homes
- Prince George's County880 centers and homes
- Baltimore County855 centers and homes
- Baltimore City663 centers and homes
- Anne Arundel County524 centers and homes
- Howard County422 centers and homes
- Frederick County392 centers and homes
- Harford County280 centers and homes
- Charles County227 centers and homes
- Washington County165 centers and homes
- Carroll County160 centers and homes
- Saint Mary's County138 centers and homes
- Wicomico County117 centers and homes
- Calvert County116 centers and homes
- Cecil County88 centers and homes
- Queen Anne's County71 centers and homes
- Caroline County61 centers and homes
- Dorchester County52 centers and homes
All 24 Maryland counties, A to Z
- Allegany County50 centers and homes
- Anne Arundel County524 centers and homes
- Baltimore County855 centers and homes
- Baltimore City663 centers and homes
- Calvert County116 centers and homes
- Caroline County61 centers and homes
- Carroll County160 centers and homes
- Cecil County88 centers and homes
- Charles County227 centers and homes
- Dorchester County52 centers and homes
- Frederick County392 centers and homes
- Garrett County19 centers and homes
- Harford County280 centers and homes
- Howard County422 centers and homes
- Kent County18 centers and homes
- Montgomery County1,196 centers and homes
- Prince George's County880 centers and homes
- Queen Anne's County71 centers and homes
- Saint Mary's County138 centers and homes
- Somerset County23 centers and homes
- Talbot County44 centers and homes
- Washington County165 centers and homes
- Wicomico County117 centers and homes
- Worcester County34 centers and homes
License types in Maryland
Maryland’s licensing records use these categories. Each listing shows which one applies.
Child Care Center
2,421 listingsLarge Family Child Care Home
57 listings
How to check a daycare license in Maryland
Every licensed center in Maryland has a public record with Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch. Here is how to read it.
Search the state’s site
Open Check Child Care Maryland (opens in a new tab) and look the center up by name and city. Confirm the license type and that its status is active.
Read the inspection information
Open the center’s record and read whatever inspection or compliance information the state posts for it.
Compare with Clear Day’s center page
Our page shows the license type and capacity next to the hours and programs the center lists, so you can weigh the state’s record beside what the center offers.
Open Check Child Care Maryland (opens in a new tab)
Each Clear Day center page in Marylandlinks to that center’s state record when the state publishes one, so step 3 starts one click from step 1.
Paying for childcare in Maryland
These programs help Maryland families pay for care. Which one fits depends on income, your child’s age and where you live.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Federal programs for families with low incomes, from pregnancy through age five.
Frequently asked questions about childcare in Maryland
Answers use the numbers on this page, as of October 1, 2026.
How many childcare centers are in Maryland?
Maryland has 6,595 childcare centers and homes in the state licensing records Clear Day reads, across 360 cities. Baltimore has the most, with 1,000, followed by Silver Spring (341) and Frederick (205).
How do I check if a daycare is licensed in Maryland?
Look the center up in Check Child Care Maryland, the state's public license lookup. Confirm the license is active, then read whatever inspection or compliance information the state posts for that center. Clear Day center pages link to the state's record for that center when the state publishes one.
Does Maryland help pay for childcare?
Yes. Maryland's child care subsidy program is Child Care Scholarship Program. The program has a waitlist because demand exceeds available funding.
What is Maryland EXCELS?
Maryland EXCELS is Maryland's quality rating program for child care. The ratings are the state's. Clear Day does not rate or review centers.
Where does this data come from?
Center records come from Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch public records. Every share on the page names the number of centers it is counted over, and the methodology page explains how.
When was this data last updated?
The state records on this page were last imported October 1, 2026. Each center page shows its own record date. See the methodology for details.
For center directors
Run a center in Maryland?
Your center is already listed here, built from state records. Claim it free and get a free enrollment website built from your listing.
Other state guides
Maryland is one of 35 states in the directory: 173,052 centers and homes across 13,878 cities. Each state has its own guide with its own rules, agency and license lookup.
- New York17,433 centers and homes
- Texas15,702 centers and homes
- California13,334 centers and homes
- Florida11,913 centers and homes
- Massachusetts9,440 centers and homes
- Ohio8,707 centers and homes
- Minnesota7,814 centers and homes
- Michigan7,700 centers and homes
- Pennsylvania7,670 centers and homes
- Georgia6,970 centers and homes
- North Carolina5,084 centers and homes
- Wisconsin4,687 centers and homes
- Colorado4,602 centers and homes
- New Jersey4,083 centers and homes
- Connecticut3,983 centers and homes
- Virginia3,569 centers and homes
- Iowa3,203 centers and homes
- Nebraska2,652 centers and homes
- Oklahoma2,636 centers and homes
- Missouri2,619 centers and homes
- Washington2,581 centers and homes
- Arizona2,536 centers and homes
- Tennessee2,303 centers and homes
- South Carolina2,300 centers and homes
- Idaho2,149 centers and homes
- Kentucky2,001 centers and homes
- Alabama1,841 centers and homes
- Utah1,793 centers and homes
- Delaware1,260 centers and homes
- North Dakota1,088 centers and homes
- Vermont1,048 centers and homes
- South Dakota714 centers and homes
- Nevada590 centers and homes
- District of Columbia452 centers and homes
- All 35 states173,052 centers and homes
Where this data comes from
Center records come from Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch public records. Every percentage on this page names the number of Maryland centers it is counted over. This page is a guide, not legal advice. Clear Day does not rate, rank or review centers.
- Last updated
- October 1, 2026
This information is sourced from public records and may be incomplete or out of date. For the most current and accurate details, please verify directly with Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch or contact the center directly. Clear Day does not rate, rank or endorse any center.
Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · Source: Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch public records · Maryland license lookup (opens in a new tab) · How we compile this →