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MSDE proposes 90‑day childcare plan to expand inclusive childcare, emphasizes COMAR training requirements
Summary
MSDE recommended a 90‑day 'plan for a plan' to improve access to inclusive childcare for infants and toddlers with disabilities, including accessible provider training on ADA/compliance, resourcing for inclusion, and workforce strategies such as apprenticeships and higher-education partnerships.
MSDE staff told the work group that improving access to inclusive childcare for young children with disabilities requires a short, concrete planning timeline and clearer statewide supports.
Liz Zagby described a set of recommendations asking MSDE to develop “a plan for a plan within 90 days with specific tasks and timelines to improve access to high quality, inclusive childcare for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities.” The proposal focuses on accessible training for childcare providers, materials about ADA requirements, practices beyond behavior‑only approaches, and staffing built through partnerships with higher education and high school programs.
Dr. Cook (MSDE) clarified the regulatory baseline during Q&A: “This is mandatory under COMAR,” and MSDE’s stated goal is to make the required training more accessible and more frequent, not to introduce a new unfunded mandate. Staff also pointed to model programs (for example, a Kennedy Krieger model supported with ARP funds) and noted growth in registered apprenticeship programs for the early childhood workforce—four registered apprenticeship programs were created in the last two years.
Why it matters: Participants said many families struggle to find and keep childcare for children with disabilities because of lack of provider training, insufficient staffing, and barriers such as language and transportation. Work group members pressed for both short‑term access improvements and longer‑term workforce development.
Next steps: MSDE will fold these recommendations into the draft report and move forward with a 90‑day planning process to define tasks, timelines and partners for implementation.
