Click on the links below to find the answers to the commonly asked questions about participating in Maryland EXCELS.
- Can I participate if I have a license but currently no children are enrolled in my program?
- Can I participate if my program was licensed one month ago?
- What does it means to participate in Maryland EXCELS?
- Why should I participate in Maryland EXCELS?
- Am I required to participate in Maryland EXCELS?
- Can I participate if I have a Letter of Compliance?
Q. Can I participate if my program was licensed one month ago?
A. Yes, you can participate in Maryland EXCELS as soon as your program is licensed or registered. When you receive your license or registration from your regional licensing office, you can register to participate immediately and begin accepting children whose families are eligible for Child Care Scholarship.
Q. What does it means to participate in Maryland EXCELS?
A. Participating in Maryland EXCELS means that your program is committed to continuous quality improvement by working to meet standards that exceed the state’s licensing requirements. This continuous improvement process includes evaluating your program with feedback from families and staff, and making improvements to increase the quality of the services you provide.
Q. Why should I participate in Maryland EXCELS?
A. All programs participating in Maryland EXCELS demonstrate a commitment to quality improvement. As an added benefit and a way of supporting the effort to improve quality, Maryland EXCELS participating programs have access to a variety of resources such as:
- Increased Child Care Subsidy reimbursement at published Levels 3, 4, and 5
- Access to funds from MSDE’s Credentialing Branch, Accreditation Support Fund, and Quality Incentive Grants
- Discounts from various vendors and organizations
- Professional Activity Units (PAUs)for the Child Care Credential program
- Marketing and free advertising on the Maryland EXCELS website
- Technical assistance and support, online and face-to-face
- Professional development opportunities
Q. Am I required to participate in Maryland EXCELS?
A. No. You are not required to participate in Maryland EXCELS unless you wish to enroll a child whose family is eligible for Child Care Subsidy. To receive reimbursement through the Child Care Subsidy Program you must be a Maryland EXCELS participant.
Q. Can I participate if I have a Letter of Compliance?
A. Yes. Any licensed or registered child care program that is open and operating is eligible to participate in Maryland EXCELS.