Child care in Maryland

A crisis for children, parents, and providers

Quality early education makes a profound difference in the lives of children and enables parents to work and support their families. But the struggle to find and afford quality child care is a growing problem for families in Maryland.

Care for two preschool children can cost between $8,550 and $18,600 per year. As family budgets are squeezed by the rising cost of basic needs, such as health care and utilities, quality child care is harder than ever for parents to afford.

The Purchase of Care subsidy program, which helps working families afford child care, pays well below the market rate, severely limiting child care options for families. Providers who accept POC vouchers often cannot afford to deliver the high-quality care kids need to thrive.

Maryland family child care providers earn, on average, an estimated $15,840 per year—less than the poverty line for a family of three—after accounting for direct operating expenses. One in three registered providers does not have health insurance through her business or spouse.

With no formal voice in the state decisions that affect kids and family child care homes, experienced providers are leaving the profession. Between 1994 and 2005, Maryland communities lost almost 3,000 licensed family child care providers, or 23 percent of child care homes. This loss continues even as the need for their services continues to grow.

Family providers are joining together in SEIU Kids First for a stronger voice to help working parents find and afford quality child care.