Leaving your child in the care of another so you can go to school or work is a big decision for any parent or caregiver. 

Finding Child Care

The Maryland Family Network provides licensed child care location services for families in our region, using funding provided by the Maryland Department of Education.

• Tips for Choosing Child Care
• Locating Child Care
• Special Needs Child Care 
• Servicio Especial en Español

Paying for Child Care

• Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program: Provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland.

Preparing for Child Care

• Tips for Preparing Infants and Toddlers for New Child Care Settings

The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program provides early intervention services to help children under 3 with special needs, along with their families. Children from birth to age 3 who may be experiencing a delay in development, or who have a diagnosed condition that has a high probability of delay may be eligible for this program. 

The program is provided at no cost to eligible families and provides coordinate services across multiple county and state agencies. 

Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program

Enrolling your child in a high-quality early childhood education program as soon as you are able can give your child a head start on entering kindergarten ready to learn. Early childhood education programs help children develop their social-emotional skills through play-based learning and lay the foundation for school success. 

There are many options for publicly funded early childhood education in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties, including Maryland Judy Centers, Head Start and Early Head Start, and public prekindergarten programs for 3- and 4- year olds. WIC families will meet income eligibility requirements for these programs, which often offer services and support to the whole family, in addition to the enrolled child. 

Caroline County 

• Public Schools Judy Centers & Early Head Start
• Public Pre-Kindergarten (3- and 4- Year Old Programs)
• Parents as Teachers First and Best Home Visiting Program (PAT)
• MRDC Head Start 

Dorchester County Public Schools

• Early Learning (Judy Centers)
• Pre-Kindergarten (3- and 4- Year Old Programs), Contact Julie C. Lewis, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, lewisju@dcpsmd.org, (410) 228-4747, extension 1035
• Shore Up! Head Start

Talbot County Public Schools

• Judy Center Partnership
• Talbot County Early Head Start
• Shore Up! Head Start
• Pre-Kindergarten (3- and 4- Year Old Programs), Contact the School Office for Enrollment Information