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The following information is effective July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. Any change to the end-date will be communicated in advance of it.
How can programs increase their Maryland EXCELS quality ratings without the Child Care Credential Program?
Programs that are unable to obtain the required STF 1 documentation may have an interim STF 1 rating applied to the program’s online profile if STF is the only content area preventing the program from reaching a higher quality rating. When all other requirements have been met, the program may submit STF 1 with a comment saying that they are unable to obtain the required staff documentation.
STF 1 is the only subcategory where I have not achieved a level 2 (or 3) rating. Can I submit it for review without documentation?
If you have equivalent training documentation that would enable you to meet the requirements of STF 1 at level 2 (or 3), please upload that and submit it for review. Expired Child Care Credential certificates and a number of other options may be used to meet the requirements of levels 2 and 3.
If you do not have any of the documentation that can be used to meet the requirements of STF 1 at level 2 (or 3) and have achieved level 2 (or 3) ratings in all other subcategories, you may submit STF 1 for review with a comment saying that you are unable to obtain the required staff documentation. An interim STF 1 rating will be applied.
STF 1 is the only subcategory where I have not achieved a level 4 (or 5) rating. Can I submit it for review without documentation?
If you have equivalent training documentation that would enable you to meet the requirements of STF 1 at level 2 or level 3, we encourage you to upload and submit that and add a comment saying that you are unable to obtain the documentation required at levels 4 and 5. An interim STF 1 rating will be applied.
If you do not have any of the documentation that can be used to meet the requirements of STF 1 at any level and have achieved level 4 (or 5) ratings in all other subcategories, you may submit STF 1 for review with a comment saying that you are unable to obtain the required staff documentation. An interim STF 1 rating will be applied.
I intend to remain at a Quality Rating 1. Should I submit STF 1 for review?
If you have a valid Maryland Child Care Credential or equivalent training documentation that would enable you to meet the requirements of STF 1 at level 2 or level 3, we encourage you to upload and submit that. This will allow families to see your STF content area rating in your Find a Program entry.
If you do not have any of the documentation that can be used to meet the requirements of STF 1 and have not completed all other level 2 requirements, do not submit STF 1 for review. We do encourage you to reconsider taking steps to achieve a Quality Rating 2 and our support team is available to assist you.
What happens if the Child Care Credential Program is reinstated?
If the Child Care Credential Program is reinstated, the Maryland State Department of Education will provide a timeline for individuals to resume participation. Maryland EXCELS will reinstate the requirements of STF 1 in a way that aligns with this timeline.
On my Progress Grid, STF 1 is showing an expiration date of June 30, 2025. What do I have to do prior to that expiration date to re-meet the requirements?
Information will be shared with you prior to June 30, 2025, explaining what is needed to either re-meet or retain the rating.