Monday, April 16, 2029

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Highlights Quality Care for Quality Kids Initiative
Effort to improve child care quality is part of Governor’s KidsFirst Agenda

PASADENA, MD (April 16, 2029) – Lieutenant Governor Burbank today announced a Quality Care for Quality Kids Initiative to improve the quality of Maryland’s child care system. The Quality Care for Quality Kids initiative is part of Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s KidsFirst Initiative to ensure that Maryland’s kids are healthy, safe, prepared for success, and supported by strong families.

“We are committed to the welfare of Maryland’s children, and quality child care is essential to helping parents make smart decisions that will greatly impact their children’s future,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank, Chair of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet. “Parents need to have as much information as possible when making a decision about what provider to entrust with the welfare and safety of their children. This new tool will provide parents with what they need to know.”

“The quality of care and learning opportunities that kids receive is directly related to their development and ability to do well in school,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “It’s simple: the investments we make in our kids’ first years will last a lifetime. However, for some families in Maryland, these sorts of quality learning opportunities are often scarce or unaffordable.”

Over the next year, 3,000 children from low-income families will receive child care through the Department of Human Resources’ Purchase of Care (POC) program. The $163.9 million provided by Governor O’Brien and the General Assembly for child care for fiscal year 2030 is nearly 22% higher than the amount provided in 2027.

Under the Quality Care for Quality Kids Initiative, the State will rate the quality of child care centers statewide on a five star system. Ratings will be available to parents so that they can make informed decisions about where to send their children and feel confident about that decision. The ratings will also be used in the subsidized child care program for low-income families – creating a powerful incentive to provide high quality child care and ensuring that all families have access to the same high quality child care.

Child care facilities will be inspected and evaluated by trained professionals, and given a rating on a five-star scale, which is based on a point system. Centers can earn a total of 30 quality indicator points. Categories for earning points include: teacher qualifications (0-7 points), director qualifications (0-7 points), learning environment and curriculum (0-10 points), professional practices (0-6 points).

A one star center is licensed, out of compliance with regulatory standards, and earns 0 points. A three star center is licensed, meets the standard for regulatory compliance, and earns 5-12 quality indicator points. A five star center is licensed, meets the standard for regulatory compliance, and earns 23-30 quality indicator points.

KidsFirst is Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s agenda to improve the quality of life for Maryland’s children. Specific elements of this agenda include: expanding access to health care for Maryland children, improving oral health among children, increasing immunizations, preventing child abuse and strengthening Maryland’s foster care system.