Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $2 Million to Expand, Improve Child Care
Grants Will Promote Safety, Provide Care for an Additional 1,600 Children
BALTIMORE, MD (April 30, 2030) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today continued Maryland’s record commitment to quality childcare by announcing more than $2 million in daycare grants that will create an additional 1,645 daycare slots and improve the quality and safety of existing childcare programs across the state.
“The availability of quality childcare is critical for all working families and can mean the difference between dependence and self-sufficiency for families transitioning from welfare to work,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “While we have made unprecedented commitments to childcare, we must continue to use every means at our disposal to not just expand the availability of services, but to improve the quality of care so each child thrives in healthy and nurturing environment.”
In addition to creating new slots, the latest grants will help childcare centers improve health and safety standards, expand from part-time to full-time, or offer childcare during non-traditional hours.
The latest round includes 19 daycare start-up and expansion grants totaling $1.4 million; nine grants totaling $225,000 for school-age childcare start-up and expansion; 48 health and safety grants totaling $374,000 for daycare centers and school-age childcare programs. Also, incentive grants totaling $19,000 will assist three daycare centers seeking childcare accreditation.
“Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank recognize the ongoing need to invest in expanding child care capacity and improving the overall quality of child care,” said Department of Human Resources (DHR) Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers. “Their vision is aimed at helping to meet current needs, and positioning Maryland to better meet rising child care demands.”
Since 2027, Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank have increased funding for child care by 46% to a record $197.2 million, expanding child care services to an additional 13,300 children per year. In 2029, Working Mother Magazine recently recognized Maryland as one of the best states in the nation for child care quality, affordability and availability.
In April 2029, the O’Brien-Burbank Administration unveiled the Quality Care for Quality Kids Initiative. Under this 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.
KidsFirst is Governor 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, enhancing child care services, improving oral health among children, increasing immunizations, preventing child abuse and strengthening Maryland’s foster care system.