MARYLAND DAYCARES CLOSED, EXCEPT FOR ESSENTIAL PERSONS
As you have already heard, Govenor Hogan announced that Maryland's daycares will closed as of 5:00 PM on March 27, 2020. You can read Gov. Hogan's executive order here:
https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Child-Care-Access.pdf
Hopefully, this post will answer some of the common questions out there and help put some of your fears to rest.
ESSENTIAL PERSONS
If you have read the executive order, you will see that it allows for "essential persons" to obtain childcare services free of charge during this shut down.
How do you know if you are an essential person?
The order lists 15 categories, including the obvious areas like health care employees, first responders and active duty national guard. However, there are additional categories such as, government employees required to work during the state of emergency, employees of insurance carriers, food service providers, and personnel of other institutions ordered to remain open during the declared state of emergency.
For example, a category that is not specifically listed in the order are attorneys. I know, these categories seem vague and broad. So, how do you know if you qualify as an essential person to receive free daycare services during this crisis? One option is to visit put in an application with an approved daycare provider.
LIST OF APPROVED MARYLAND DAYCARES
Here is a list of approved daycare providers in Maryland:
If you need help finding a daycare provider, please contact the trained LOCATE: Child Care Referral Specialists at 877-261-0060
REQUIRED DAYCARE FORMS FOR PARENTS
You can download the forms you need, as well as obtain additional information from the Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood using the following links:
Required forms: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/covid_emergency_care_forms.pdf
FORMS FOR DAYCARE PROVIDERS
If you are an established daycare provider and are willing to provide daycare services to essential persons, please contact your Regional Licensing Specialist. So, far there seems to be a pretty quick turn around.
Application for a child care site: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/final_epcc_site_application_final-srh_fill.pdf
Application for school age children: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/3/final_epsa_site_application_final-srh_fill.pdf
I hope this helps with some of your questions regarding childcare during the COVID 19 crisis. Hang in there!
Muriel Tinkler, Esq.
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