Origin: Maryland Excels

Resources created and maintained by Maryland Excels

Recognized Accreditations

Accreditation is a method by which a program demonstrates to an outside organization or agency that the program is meeting the quality standards set by that organization. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) recognizes national accrediting organizations as aligning with the overall mission and high standards for early childhood, public prekindergarten and school-age child care programs. Quality Assurance Specialists offer guidance and support to programs seeking accreditation. Additionally, the Accreditation Support Fund is available to assist programs with the cost of national accreditation fees and reimbursement of expenses related to Maryland Accreditation.

To recognize the importance of meeting and demonstrating standards at this highest level of quality, Maryland EXCELS participating programs must achieve accreditation in order to reach a Quality Rating 5. In addition, accredited programs entering Maryland EXCELS will receive credit for requirements already demonstrated to the accrediting organization.

Recognized Accrediting Organizations

Child Care Centers

Family and Large Family Child Care Homes

School-Age Only Programs

Public Prekindergarten Programs

Updated: August 2025

Maryland EXCELS Payments

Maryland EXCELS Payments reward your program for providing high-quality services to families using Child Care Scholarship. At Maryland EXCELS Quality Ratings 3, 4, and 5, your program will receive increased reimbursement amounts ranging from 10% to 44% based on the age of the child, the type of care, and your program’s quality rating. 

The chart below shows the percentage of payments to programs. On the Invoice Detail Report, Maryland EXCELS Payments are shown as “EXCELS” payments for each child.

Maryland EXCELS Payments Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating
Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Family Child Care

Under 2 years of age

 11% 22% 29%

2 years of age and over

 10% 21% 28%
Child Care Center

Under 2 years of age

 22% 37% 44%

2 years of age and over

 10% 19% 26%

 

Supporting Children of All Abilities

Child care providers play a vital role in the lives of young children and their families, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment benefits everyone. In a setting where all children—regardless of their abilities—share the same routines, playtime, and learning experiences, every child has the chance to grow and thrive together. These practices can offer peer role models, provide opportunities to learn and teach new skills, foster a sense of community, and encourage empathy. In such environments, the individual needs of children with special health care needs or disabilities are acknowledged and thoughtfully supported.

To learn more about developing a policy that demonstrates how you support children of all abilities for your family handbook, please visit the Maryland EXCELS Toolkit.

Support Team Contact Information

Program Coordinator Contact Information

Quality Assurance Specialist Contact Information

Find Your Child Care Resource Center

24/7 Technology Support

In general, we encourage programs and providers to seek help from

Program Coordinators when you need:

  • Brief help navigating the Maryland EXCELS System and this assistance can be provided over the phone or via email;
  • Guidance on the standards, documentation and Additional Achievements;
  • Documents you have uploaded to be reviewed and rated; and
  • To give feedback about the standards, website, or the online system.

Quality Assurance Specialists when you need:

  • Face to face, on-site, or telephone/email support with the system, standards, or documentation including assistance with registering for Maryland EXCELS;
  • Assistance with other MSDE initiatives such as: Maryland Accreditation, CLASS/Maryland EXCELS Assessments, etc.; or
  • Training or support related to Maryland EXCELS.

NOTE: Quality Assurance Specialists also conduct Continuous Quality Improvement Visits to published programs to verify implementation of Maryland EXCELS standards. QASs also provide follow up and technical assistance related to Continuous Quality Improvement Visit observations.

Child Care Resource Centers when you need:

  • Assistance with the accreditation process;
  • Help scanning, uploading documents, and/or computer use;
  • Approved professional development;
  • Support and technical assistance related to licensing regulations;
  • Early Childhood Mental Health and Behavior Consultation assistance; or
  • Program improvement.

24/7 Technology Support when you need:

  • Assistance using the Maryland EXCELS System, such as resetting a password;
  • Support with technology, such as Microsoft applications, tablets, etc.

 

Updated: September 2025