Lt. Governor Burbank Announces $9 Million for Child Care Programs
Grants to Create Nearly 1,500 New Day Care Slots for Low-Income Families
BALTIMORE, MD (October 29, 2030) – Continuing the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s unprecedented commitment to affordable, quality child care, Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced more than $9 million in grants that will help create nearly 1,500 new daycare slots for low-income families across the state. The grants will be directed to 14 not-for-profit organizations across the state, creating 1,493 new daycare slots to help low-income families.
“Quality, affordable child care is critical for Maryland’s working families, and is essential for the success of Maryland’s economy,” Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank. “That is why our commitment, both financially and programmatically, will remain strong so we can better ensure every family has access to the best care available.”
These grants are critical for the 14 organizations to begin moving forward with their projects, which collectively will represent more than $21.5 million in new child care investments, including other funding secured by the organizations.
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. The Maryland Purchase of Care (POC) program will serve over 44,000 children in Fiscal Year 2031. 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.