MarylandTransforms-StrategicPlanGuidebook - Flipbook - Page 30
30 MARYLAND TRANSFORMS - STRATEGIC PLAN
PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES, AND STRATEGIES
PRIORITY 1: READY FOR KINDERGARTEN
Provide increased access to early childhood programs through a Mixed-Delivery System comprised
of private and public providers and ensure affordability by subsidizing the cost for families.
Expand early learning hubs, such as Judy and Patty Centers, that utilize a Two-Generation Approach
to ensure families are supported in the development of their children ages 0-5.
Develop Early Learning Standards that implement age-appropriate learning practices and materials,
and foster high-quality learning environments for children’s social, emotional, and academic growth.
Utilize Maryland’s Comprehensive Early Childhood Assessment System to monitor readiness and
measure the quality of early learning programs to ensure culturally responsive, academically
and developmentally appropriate materials and resources are provided to support and empower
educators to be successful.
MIXED-DELIVERY SYSTEM
A Mixed-Delivery System is a model that co-delivers
high-quality Pre-K in both private provider-and schoolbased settings through partnerships with child care
centers, family child care providers, Head Start, faithbased providers, private schools, public charter schools,
and college/university early learning centers.
TWO-GENERATION APPROACH &
PRE-K ACCESSIBILITY
& AFFORDABILITY
Under the Blueprint, income eligibility for prekindergarten
enrollment is based on a system of tiers ranging from no
cost, subsidized, to full cost Pre-K. The Maryland State
Department of Education is implementing a sliding scale
to offset the cost for families depending on their income.
Maryland has also increased the income limits as well as
the value of scholarships in the Child Care Scholarship
Program to allow more families to qualify.
MARYLAND EXCELS
EXPANSION OF EARLY LEARNING HUBS
Judy Centers and Patty Centers are comprehensive hubs
that leverage a Two-Generation Approach where families
of children ages 0-5 can participate in learning experiences
and receive support. The Blueprint expands Judy Centers
to include nine new additional Centers each year over the
next five fiscal years, and then doubles the expansion,
as well as expands Patty Centers to include three new
additional Centers each year over the next five fiscal years.
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. The system rates the quality
of child care and early education programs on a
scale of 1 to 5 based on: staffing and professional
development, accreditation and program improvement,
developmentally appropriate practice, compliance with
licensing regulations, and administrative practices.