Licensed Daycare in Baltimore, Maryland
105 licensed daycares in Baltimore, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Maryland licensing records.
Baltimore listings updated August 2026 from official Maryland records.
Daycare in Baltimore: what parents should know
Our directory lists 105 licensed childcare providers in Baltimore, Maryland, with Preschool the most common type (about 15% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Maryland license at indexing time, sourced from Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care.
For age coverage, 11 centers in Baltimore report infant care (roughly 10% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 16 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 12 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Baltimore spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 14% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Baltimore providers are approved for approximately 6,734 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Baltimore childcare by the numbers
The Baltimore childcare landscape
Maryland pairs tight quality standards with a recognized rating system and a distinctive network of family-support hubs — the Judy Centers — built around schools. Baltimore families combine those with the state's expanding pre-K and a child-care scholarship.
Pre-K, Judy Centers and Head Start
Maryland is expanding free public pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds (prioritizing income-eligible families) through Baltimore City Public Schools. The state's Judy Centers — school-based early-childhood and family-support hubs — are a Maryland hallmark, connecting families to preschool, health, and parenting resources, alongside federal Head Start.
Subsidies and quality (Maryland EXCELS)
Maryland's subsidy is the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program for eligible working and in-school families. Check a provider's Maryland EXCELS rating — the state quality system — alongside any NAEYC accreditation; Maryland's tight 1:3 infant ratio also pushes providers toward higher standards.
How licensing works
Child care in Maryland is licensed and inspected by the State Department of Education (MSDE) Office of Child Care. Licensing status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Full-time infant care in Baltimore commonly runs $1,300–$1,800/month. North Baltimore neighborhoods (Roland Park, Hampden, Mount Washington) are family-dense and higher-end; the city core and east/west neighborhoods carry more subsidized and Head Start options; and Baltimore County suburbs add capacity.
When to start looking
Apply for public pre-K and Judy Center programs ahead of the fall. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists; with Maryland's tight infant ratios, infant rooms are limited and fill first.
Childcare costs in Baltimore
ChildCare Aware reports the Maryland average full-time cost at $1,500/month for infant care and $1,080/month for preschool. City-level prices in Baltimore vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Maryland families may also qualify for Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS) (intake: (877) 227-0125).
Full Maryland licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care
- Infant ratio
- 1:3
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 64 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Baltimore?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
What to pack for the first day
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Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
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Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
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Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
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Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
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Needed if the center does not provide meals; look for one that fits an ice pack.
Browse options on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are the same for you. Full list by age in our daycare supply checklist.
Largest licensed centers in Baltimore
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Baltimore? Widen the search
Waitlists are normal in high-demand areas. Centers one ZIP code over often have space, and part-time or in-home options may open sooner — start by checking nearby ZIP codes.
Found a center in Baltimore? Here is what to pack
Bottles, name labels, nap bedding and spare clothes — our checklist by age covers what centers ask you to bring, and what they ask you not to send.
All Baltimore licensed centers
Page 7 of 7Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Baltimore, Maryland?
What's the average daycare cost in Baltimore?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Baltimore daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Baltimore?
How do I verify a Baltimore daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Baltimore
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programMaryland Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(877) 227-0125 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Baltimore
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Baltimore, Maryland are compiled from official Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · August 2026 · methodology
Search 105 Licensed Centers in Baltimore
Free, no signup, verified directly with Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care.