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Office of Child Care
Credentialing Branch
Credentialing Branch
There are Six Programs in the Credentialing
Branch
• The Maryland Child Care Credential
• Tiered Reimbursement
• Training Approval
• Child Care Career and Professional Development
Fund
• Voucher/Tuition Reimbursement
• Accreditation Support
Overview - The Maryland Child
Care Credentialing Program
The Maryland Child Care Credential program started
July 01, 2001. The Credential program is a
pathway to professional development. The
program recognizes child care providers who go
beyond the requirements of the licensing and
registration regulations by participating in
training, professional activity units and continuing
to work in child care. There are six staff
credential levels and four administrator
credential levels.
Goals
• Produce a well-qualified workforce.
• Increase the overall quality of child care
programs.
• Improve the status and increase
compensation for child care providers.
• Recognize for-credit and non-credit
career preparation.
• Provide a structure for professional
growth through professional competencies.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to participate in the credential program
you must be:
• A registered family child care provider in the
State of Maryland,
• An operator, director, or staff member in a
licensed child care center in the State of
Maryland.
• Participate in Professional Activities related to
the child care profession.
• Continue working in the child care setting for no
less than one year from the date you are
accepted into the credential program.
• Complete continued training for the applicable
credential level.
Persons who are not
Eligible to apply
• Applicants or participants may not be the
subject of any sanction imposed by OCC.
• Substitutes or volunteers, whether
working in a registered family child care
home or licensed child care center are not
eligible to participate.
• Child Care Center employee who do not
work directly with children on a daily basis
are not eligible to participate.
Core of Knowledge
There are six Core of Knowledge:
• Child Development
• Curriculum
• Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• Special Needs
• Professionalism
• Community
Training that has been completed within the past
five years of application may be accepted as
determined by the Office of Child Care. College
course work for credit or non-credit and preservice training will be accepted regardless of
when completed.
The Core of Knowledge
Core of Knowledge Training means:
• Training that meets the requirements of the
Maryland Child Care Credentialing program.
• Training identified as Child Development,
Curriculum, Special Needs, Professionalism,
Community or Health, Safety, and Nutrition.
• The participant has successfully completed the
training, including an appropriate assessment.
• A certificate is awarded to each participant
stating that the participant has “successfully
completed” the training.
Pre-Service
Pre-Service Training means:
• Training that meets the 45 or 90
clock hour requirements of
COMAR13A.16.06 if taken for:
• College credits; or
• Non-credit from a college or a
trainer approved by the Office.
Continued Training
Continued Training means:
• Training given to meet the requirements of
licensing regulations for child care homes and
centers, but does not meet core of
knowledge/credentialing requirements.
• Participants have attended a training session to
complete a number of clock hours.
• Training as identified as Child Health Issues,
Child Development, Age-Appropriate Activities, or
Business Practices.
• A certificate is awarded to each participant that
states that the participant has “participated in”
or “attended” training.
Staff Credential
Levels One and Two
• Meet CCA Licensing or Registration Requirements
• There are no incentives at Level One.
To Achieve:
• 45 clock hours Core of Knowledge training that
includes:
– A minimum of 20 clock hours in child development
• 1 professional activity unit
To Maintain:
– 12 clock hours of continued training, and
– 1 professional activity unit (PAU)
• Bonus amount - $200 (one time only)
Staff Credential
Level Three
To Achieve:
• 90 clock hours Core of Knowledge training that includes:
– A minimum of 20 clock hours in child development, and
– 20 clock hours in curriculum methods.
• 2 professional activity units, and
• 1 year of experience or 1 year of college
To Maintain:
– 18 clock hours of continued training, and
– 2 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $300 (one time only)
The 45 clock hours completed at level two carries over to level three.
Staff Credential
Level Four
To Achieve:
• 135 clock hours Core of Knowledge training
consisting of:
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45 clock hours child development
30 clock hours curriculum methods
20 clock hours health, safety & nutrition
15 clock hours special needs
15 clock hours professionalism
10 clock hours community issues
• 3 professional activity units, and
• 2 years of experience
To Maintain:
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 3 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $500 (one time only)
The 90 clock hours completed at level three carries over to level four.
Staff Credential
Level Four Plus
To Achieve:
• Level Four requirements plus:
Option One –
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Current accreditation through the National Association for Family
Child Care (NAFCC), and
At least two year of experience
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15 semester hours of approved coursework,
Coursework in child development and curriculum planning, and
At least 9 years of experience
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Enrollment in an approved college course of study toward a degree,
Accumulate 55 points by earning 5 points for each early childhood
course and/or each additional year of experience (a minimum of two
years of experience required)
Option Two –
Option Three –
• 4 professional activity units
To Maintain:
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24 clock hours of continued training, and
4 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $600 (annually)
Staff Credential
Level Five
To Achieve:
Option One –
• An Associate Degree with 15 semester hours of approved coursework
• Course work in Child Development and Curriculum Methods, and
• At least two years of experience and Four PAUs
Option Two –
• 30 semester hours of approved coursework that includes: Child
Development, Curriculum Planning, Health and Safety, Special Needs,
School Age, Infant Toddler, Language and Literacy, and Child Care
Administration, and
• At least two years of experience and Four PAUs
Option Three –
• 15 semester hours of approved college coursework,
• Enrollment in an approved college course of study toward a degree,
• Accumulate 45 points by earning 5 points for each early childhood
course and/or each additional year of experience (a minimum of two
years experience required) and Four PAUs
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4 professional activity units
To Maintain:
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• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 4 PAU’s
Bonus Amount - $750 (annually)
Staff Credential
Level Six
To Achieve:
Option One –
• Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in:
• Early childhood education , Elementary education, Special education, Family studies, Child
development, or A related discipline (must include a minimum of 15 credit hours of approved
coursework)
• At least two years of experience
Option Two –
• Bachelor’s, Masters, Doctorate (non-related field),
• 30 semester hours of approved coursework that includes Child Development & Curriculum
Methods, and
• At least two year of experience
Option Three –
• Associate or higher degree with 15 semester hours of approved coursework,
• Enrollment in an approved college course of study toward a higher degree, and
• Accumulate 45 points by earning 5 points for each early childhood course and/or each
additional year of experience (at least two years experience required),
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5 professional activity units
To Maintain:
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 5 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $1,000 (annually)
Administrator Credential
Level One
To Achieve:
• 240 clock hours of core of knowledge training, consisting of:
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45 clock hours in child development;
45 clock hours in curriculum development;
45 clock hours in health, safety, and nutrition;
45 clock hours in special needs;
45 clock hours in professionalism; and
15 clock hours in community issues
Four Professional Activity Units (PAUs), and
2 years working directly with children in an approved setting
To Maintain:
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 4 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $600 (one time only)
Administrator Credential
Level Two
To Achieve:
• Successful completion of 240 clock hours of core of knowledge training
consisting of:
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45 clock hours in child development;
45 clock hours in curriculum development;
45 clock hours in health, safety, and nutrition;
45 clock hours in special needs;
45 clock hours in professionalism; and
15 clock hours in community issues
• Achievement of at least one of the following:
– Completion of the National Administrator’s Credential; or
– Successful completion of at least 30 semester hours of college coursework in an
approved course of study;
• 2 years working directly with children in an approved setting, and
• 5 PAUs
To Maintain:
• 30 clock hours of continued training, and
• 5 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $750 (Annually)
Administrator Credential
Level Three
To Achieve:
• An associate degree from an accredited college, that includes:
– A minimum of 15 semester hours of course work related to business
management, administration, and
– Completion of at least one course in each of the following areas: Child
development; Curriculum development; and Administration of Child Care
Programs
• At least 4 years working directly with children in an approved
setting, and
• 5 PAUs
To Maintain:
• 30 clock hours of continued training, and
• 5 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $1,000 (Annually)
Administrator Credential
Level Four
To Achieve:
• A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited
college or university in:
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Business Administration;
Public Administration and Management:
Public School Administration; or
A related discipline;
• Completion of at least one course in each of the following: Child
development; Curriculum development; and Administration of Child
Care Programs
• Completion of 45 clock hours of training in the area of mentoring
and coaching staff.
• At least 5 years working directly with children in an approved
setting, and
• 6 PAUs
To Maintain:
• 30 clock hours of continued training, and
• 5 PAU’s
• Bonus Amount - $1,500 (Annually)
Professional Activity Units
• PAUs are earned for participating in
activities related to the child care
profession.
• PAUs must be earned within the previous
twelve month period.
• PAUs must be maintained for continued
participation in the program.
Incentives
• Bonuses
• Achievement bonus – one-half of the
bonus is paid when the credential level is
awarded (Level Two or higher)
• Maintenance bonus – the second half of
the bonus is paid at the time of renewal
Credentialing Bonus Payment Schedule
All bonuses are paid contingent on the verification of meeting and maintaining all requirements.
Staff Credential
Level
Bonus
At time of Level
Achievement
At time of Renewal
One
No
Bonus
(one time only)
Two
(one time only)
Three
(one time only)
Four
Four Plus
Five
Six
$100
$150
$250
$300
$375
$500
$100
$150
$250
$600
(each year)
$750
(each year)
$1,000
(each year)
Administrator Credential
One
Two
Three
Four
At time of Level
Achievement
$300
$375
$500
$750
At time of Renewal
$300
Level
Bonus
(one time only)
$750
(each year)
$1,000
(each year)
$1,500
(each year)
Application Process
• Complete application, sign and date
• Attach all required documentation:
• Training Certificates
• PAU information
• Experience
• Send to:
MSDE
OCC – Credentialing Branch
200 West Baltimore Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore MD 21201
Training
Vouchers/Reimbursement
• Only those participating in the
credential program at Level Two and
higher are eligible to receive training
vouchers and/or reimbursement.
• A participant may receive no more than
$400, during any year of participation.
• Each voucher is issued for one specific
course, workshop or conference.
Eligibility Requirements
• An application form must be complete and
signed with blue ink.
• Documentation of the training for which the
voucher will be used must include a copy of
the:
– Course catalog description;
– Completed registration form; or
– Training advertisement.
• Application is received at least 60 days prior
to the training date.
• Amount requested does not exceed $400.
• Applicant is eligible to receive a voucher.
Training Reimbursement
• They are participating in the credential
program at Level Two or higher;
• The training is approved as meeting the
Core of Knowledge;
• The training was successfully completed
no more than 4 months before the date
of the request; and
• The individual has not received training
vouchers up to $400 during the previous
12-month period.
Awards
• Awards are assigned according to the incomes
of all applicants who are eligible for an award,
with higher priority given to lower income
applicants.
• The Office of Child Care will make training
voucher and reimbursement awards according to
assigned award priority.
• An award has been made to each eligible
applicant; or
• As long as funds are available.
Tiered Reimbursement
Overview
The Maryland Child Care Tiered
Reimbursement recognizes child care
programs that go beyond the requirements
of state licensing and registration
regulations. This program pays additional
incentives to child care programs approved
for Tiered Level 2 or higher and who
receives vouchers from the Subsidy
program. There are fours levels of tiered
reimbursement.
Program Goals
• Promote a well-qualified workforce.
• Increase the amount of subsidy payments
to family child care providers and child
care programs.
• Promote a high level of program quality
through the application of standards for
program accreditation and ERS.
• Encourage parent involvement in child care
setting.
Program Information
• Reimbursement is paid only for
Subsidy vouchers receipted by the
family child care provider or child
care center.
• The accreditation organization used
must meet the criteria set and
approved by the Office of Child Care.
Eligibility Requirements
• Maintain compliance with all applicable child care regulations
• Develop, evaluate and revise program goals.
• Actively pursue program accreditation
• Participate in the credential program at level two or higher.
• Program schedule
• Parent Involvement
• Assessed program using the environmental rating scales
• Parent evaluations
• Continued training
Center:
• Incremental salary scale
• Benefit package
• Staff evaluations
Components
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Accreditation Status
Staff Credentialing
Learning Environment
Parent Involvement
Program Evaluation
Staff Compensation
Components - Continued
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Staff Credentialing- At tiered reimbursement Level 2 or higher,
family child care providers and at least 60% of lead staff persons
in child care centers must have Maryland Child Care Credential at
the appropriate level. Lead staff persons in child care centers
include the director, senior staff, and group leaders.
Continued Training- Continued training is required at each of the
tiered reimbursement levels based on the position held in the child
care facility and must be maintained throughout the period of
approval at each tiered reimbursement level.
Learning Environment- Participation in the tiered reimbursement
program requires that child care facilities enhance the learning
environment beyond the regulatory requirements. Programs must
include in their daily activities at least 15 minutes of reading
activities per day for all ages of children served.
Staff Compensation- Child care centers are required to include in
their business plan, incentives for staff including an incremental
salary scale based on education and experience. Child care centers
participating in the highest level of tiered reimbursement need to
have a benefits package for staff as well.
Components - Continued
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Parent Involvement- Parents are an important component of
quality child care services. Family child care providers and child
care centers participating in the tiered reimbursement program
are required to include and involve parents in a variety of ways.
Each facility has the option to use a variety of activities and
opportunities for parent involvement, including but not limited to:
parent bulletin boards
open door policy
parent handbook
parent/staff conferences
classroom helpers
newsletters
workshops
programs
field trips
preparing materials at home
support of the program operation
suggestion box
Component - Continued
• Program Evaluation- Each family child care home
and child care center will use an appropriate early
childhood environment rating scale to assess the
program.
• Family child care providers will use the Family Day
Care Environment Rating Scale (FDCERS).
• Child care centers will use the Infant/Toddler
Environment Rating Scale (ITERS), the Early
Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and
the School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale
(SACERS). The scale to be used will be
determined by the type of program, home or
center, and the ages of the children served.
Tiered Reimbursement
Level 2
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Accreditation self-study begun
Credentialed at level 2 or higher
(center staff – 60% of teachers).
Meets licensing requirements plus 15
minutes of reading activities per day
with the children
Involved parents in at least 2 ways
Self assessment using the ERS
Staff evaluation developed and
implemented( child care centers
only)
Incremental salary scale based on
education and experience (center
only)
Continued training
Assistant group leaders and aides
must complete 6 clock hours per
year.
Tiered Reimbursement
Level 3
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Accreditation self-study completed
Credentialed at level 3 or higher
(center staff – 60% of teachers).
Meets licensing requirements plus 15
minutes of reading activities per day
with the children
Involved parents in at least 4 ways
Independent assessment using the
ERS - average score per group assessed
of 4 or higher
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Staff evaluation used regularly
implemented( child care centers only)
Incremental salary scale based on
education and experience (center only)
Benefit Package (center only)
Continued training
Assistant group leaders and aides
must complete 9 clock hours per
year.
Tiered Reimbursement
Level 4
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Accreditation self-study completed
Credentialed at level 4 or higher
(center staff – 60% of teachers).
Meets licensing requirements plus 15
minutes of reading activities per day
with the children
Involved parents in at least 6 ways
Independent assessment using the
ERS - average score per group assessed
of 5 or higher
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Staff evaluation used regularly( child
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Incremental salary scale based on
education and experience (center
only)
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Benefit Package (center only)
Continued training
Assistant group leaders and aides
must complete 12 clock hours per
year.
care centers only)
Application process
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Complete application, sign and date using blue ink
Attach all required documentation:
• Accreditation
• Registration/Licensing certificate
• Credentialing certificate/s
• Program daily schedule
• Verification of parent involvement
• ERS score sheet
• Staff evaluations
• Staff and parent survey
• Verification of incremental salary
• Benefit package
• Continued training
Send to:
MSDE
OCC – Credentialing Branch
200 West Baltimore Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore MD 21201
POC Differential
Type of
Setting
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
11%
10%
22%
21%
29%
28%
22%
10%
37%
19%
44%
26%
FAMILY CHILD
CARE
Under 2
2 and Over
CHILD CARE
CENTER
Under 2
2 and Over
Accreditation Support
• Funds are available to registered family
child care providers and licensed child
care centers to pay for the cost of the
program accreditation application fee.
• Awards made through this fund may not be
used for any other cost of meeting the
requirements of program accreditation.
Application Fees
An applicant may receive no more than:
The actual cost of the accreditation application
fee up to a maximum of:
• $700 for a family child care home, or
• $1,000 for a child care center.
A family child care provider or child care center
may apply for accreditation support to pay for:
• The initial accreditation application, including the
self-study phase; or
• A renewal accreditation application.
• A program may receive more than one award
during the availability of the fund, but no more
than one award per year.
Accreditation Support
Awards
Awards are assigned a priority by the Office
of Child Care, with the highest priority
given to programs serving Title 1 school
districts.
OCC will make accreditation support
awards:
• Until an award has been made to each
eligible applicant; or
• As long as funds are available.
Accreditation Organizations
recognized by MSDE
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For Family Child Care Providers
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For Child Care Centers
– The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
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American Montessori Internationale/USA (AMI/USA)
American Montessori Society (AMS)
Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
Middle States Commission – Early Ages (MSCES-Early Years)
Middle States Commission of Elementary Schools (MSCES)
National Accreditation Commission (NAC)
National Afterschool Association (NAA)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
Web-Sites E-mail Addresses
MSDE – Maryland State Department of Education
www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/credentials
NAEYC – National Association for the Education for Young Children
www.naeyc.org
NECPA – National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
www.necpa.net
NAA – National After School Association
www.naaweb.org
NAFCC – National Association for Family Child Care
www.nafcc.org
NCCIC – National Child Care Information Center
www.nccic.org
NECTAC – National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
www.nectac.org
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
www.fpg.unc.edu