Office of Child Care

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Office of Child Care

• Credentialing Branch

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
  pre-service training will be accepted regardless
  of when completed.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Staff CredentialLevels 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)

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Staff CredentialLevel 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 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 300 (one time only)
• The 45 clock hours completed at level two carries
  over to level three.

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Staff CredentialLevel Four

• To Achieve
• 135 clock hours Core of Knowledge training
  consisting of
• 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 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 500 (one time only)
• The 90 clock hours completed at level three
  carries over to level four.

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Staff CredentialLevel Four Plus

• To Achieve
• Level Four requirements plus
• Option One
• Current accreditation through the National
  Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and
• At least two year of experience
• Option Two
• 15 semester hours of approved coursework,
• Coursework in child development and curriculum
  planning, and
• At least 9 years of experience
• Option Three
• 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)
• 4 professional activity units

• To Maintain
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 4 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 600 (annually)

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Staff CredentialLevel 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
• 4 professional activity units
• To Maintain
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 4 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 750 (annually)

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Staff CredentialLevel Six

• To Achieve
• Option One
• Bachelors, masters, 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
• Bachelors, 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),
• 5 professional activity units

• To Maintain
• 24 clock hours of continued training, and
• 5 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 1,000 (annually)

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Administrator CredentialLevel One

• To Achieve
• 240 clock hours of core of knowledge training,
  consisting of
• 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 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 600 (one time only)

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Administrator CredentialLevel Two

• To Achieve
• Successful completion of 240 clock hours of core
  of knowledge training consisting of
• 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 Administrators
  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 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 750 (Annually)

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Administrator CredentialLevel 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 PAUs
• Bonus Amount - 1,000 (Annually)

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Administrator Credential Level Four

• To Achieve
• A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from
  an accredited college or university in
• 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 PAUs

• Bonus Amount - 1,500 (Annually)

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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.

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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

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Credentialing Bonus Payment Schedule All bonuses
are paid contingent on the verification of
meeting and maintaining all requirements.
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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Components

• Accreditation Status
• Staff Credentialing
• Learning Environment
• Parent Involvement
• Program Evaluation
• Staff Compensation

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Components - Continued

• 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.

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Components - Continued

• 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

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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.

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Tiered Reimbursement Level 2

• 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.

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Tiered Reimbursement Level 3

• 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
• 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.

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Tiered Reimbursement Level 4

• 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
• Staff evaluation used regularly( 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
  12 clock hours per year.

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Application process

• 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

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POC Differential
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Accreditation Organizations recognized by MSDE

• For Family Child Care Providers
• The National Association for Family Child Care
  (NAFCC)
• For Child Care Centers
• 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)

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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