Referral Services
LOCATE: Child Care at the The Maryland Family Network is a free service that helps families find programs that fit their needs. It is a free, confidential referral service that is designed to help families find regulated, high-quality child care to meet each family’s needs — including location, schedule, cost, and a child’s unique personality. It is the only state-sponsored, continuously updated search system that includes Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) licensing information.
The LOCATE database includes family child care sites, center-based child care sites, nursery schools, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and Head Start programs, after-school care sites and summer programs. Families can contact LOCATE directly by phone, text, or email to get started, or search the LOCATE database independently to explore available child care options.
- LOCATE: Child Care: Public Search
- Call: 1-877-261-0060
- Text: 410-752-7589
- Email: findchildcare@marylandfamilynetwork.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Visit the website for more information: marylandfamilynetwork.org/our-work/locate-child-care/
Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Information
Families seeking help paying for child care may be eligible for the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program. Learn more and apply through the Maryland State Department of Education.
Child Care Scholarship Program: earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-scholarship-program
Additional information such as basic questions to ask yourself, affordability and interviewing providers can be found at Division of Early Childhood - earlychildhood.msde@maryland.gov
Policy Statements
Confidentiality Statement
LOCATE: Child Care is a free and confidential service available to any parent searching for regulated child care. The users' names and telephone numbers are collected for follow-up purposes only and are never shared with other individuals or organizations.
Complaint Policies
If you believe a particular child care program is in violation of State child care licensing laws or regulations, you may file an official complaint against that program. To file a complaint, contact the Regional Licensing Office covering the county where the program is located.
As the Statewide Coordinating Entity, MFN will investigate the complaint and act on it appropriately.