Maryland EXCELS is the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care and early education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. High-quality early childhood care is crucial for laying a strong foundation for cognitive, social, and emotional development, all of which support lifelong learning and success.
Maryland EXCELS promotes quality by awarding ratings to:
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Child Care Centers
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School-Age Child Care Programs
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Family Child Care Homes
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Public Prekindergartens
These ratings are made available to families, helping them make informed choices about the care and education of their children.
Maryland EXCELS participants earn quality ratings on a scale from 1 to 5, forming a pathway to excellence.
The standards cover a wide range of categories including:
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Licensing and Compliance
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Staffing and Professional Development
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Accreditation and Rating Scales
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Developmentally Appropriate Learning and Practice
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Administration Policies and Practices
A rating of 1 is awarded to providers and programs that successfully meet initial requirements. A rating of 5 is granted to those demonstrating the highest level of quality and who are state or nationally accredited.
All programs participating in Maryland EXCELS — at every level — demonstrate a commitment to quality improvement. Upon acceptance, programs are assigned a Program Quality Specialist who provides individualized coaching, support, and technical assistance.
Additionally, the Maryland EXCELS Online Toolkit provides programs with the resources and information needed to expand their skills and apply research-based best practices in their work.
For more information, please visit the Maryland EXCELS website or email [email protected].
