The information provided on this page is a basic outline of Maryland Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of Maryland. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.
MARYLAND Child Care Licensing Requirements
Child Care license obtained from:
Maryland Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development Office of Child Care
306 W Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 332-0813
License renewal is required once every two years.
Indoor Space Requirements: 35 sf per Child
|
|
Infants |
30 Mos.- 2 Years |
2 Years |
3-4 Years |
5 + Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Required Teacher: Child Ratio |
1:3 |
1:3 |
1:6 |
1:12 |
1:15
|
|
|
Required Max. Group Size |
6 |
6 |
12 |
24 |
30 | |
|
Recommended Classroom Capacity |
6 |
6 |
12 |
24 |
30 | |
|
Recommended Staff per Classroom |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Recommended Min. Classroom Area |
210 sf. |
210 sf. |
420 sf. |
840 sf. |
1050 sf. | |
Outdoor Space Requirements: 75 sf per child
- The approved outdoor play area must be close enough to the child care building that vehicle transportation is not required.
- If certain types of hazards, like swimming pools, traffic, cliffs and more are near the outdoor play area, there must be a fence or a barrier that is at least four feet tall.
- Play areas must be well drained.
- Commercially manufactured indoor/outdoor equipment specifically designed to be stable and safe without being fastened to the ground.
Building Code Requirements
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CHILD FIXTURES |
ADULT FIXTURES |
DRINKING FOUNTAINS |
MOP SINK |
BATH TUB/ SHOWER |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
1: 15 |
1:50 |
1:100 |
1 |
1 |
Fire Code Requirements
|
16 |
A staff member may not be younger than 16 years old. |
21 |
To qualify as a director of a child care, an individual has to be 21 years old and up. |
14 |
No child is in attendance for more than 14 hours without the prior approval of the Regional Office. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Did you know . . .
 |
Written information about the child’s individual needs, that was supplied by the parents, is used by the operator to meet the child’s individual needs. |  |
A child is allowed to travel without adult supervision if the child is above 1st grade and the parent and director both agree it is safe. |  |
A license is nontransferable and remains the property of the office. It may be issued to a specific application for operations of the child care at a specific location. |
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Research completed by Calbert Design Group, LLC. Updated 2019