Q. What is Maryland EXCELS?
A. Maryland EXCELS is the state’s quality rating and improvement system for licensed child care and early education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. Maryland EXCELS rates the quality of child care and early learning programs on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest rating. To be eligible for Child Care Scholarship reimbursement, the child care program must be participating in Maryland EXCELS.
Q. I submitted my Maryland EXCELS Application. What happens next?
A. When you submit your application, you are now participating in Maryland EXCELS. In 2 to 4 weeks, you will receive notification that your account has been created, you have been assigned a Program Coordinator, and you may begin working in the system.
Q. Who do I call if I need help?
A. There are many people available to assist you with Maryland EXCELS. You may contact your assigned Program Coordinator (PC), your regional Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS), or your local Child Care Resource and Referral Center (CCRC). Technology Support is also available 24/7. For more information on where to get help, please visit the Maryland EXCELS website and access the Support Contact Information.
Q. What do I do if I don’t have an email address?
Email is an important and necessary tool for programs participating in Maryland EXCELS. There are many free email services. You can try one of these to get started, or find another one that works best for you:
Q. Can I fax or mail my documents?
A. We are unable to accept documents sent as a fax or through the mail. Technical assistance is available to help you submit your evidence to the Maryland EXCELS online system. You may also contact your Quality Assurance Specialist.