Baltimore, December 23, 2025
In response to a shortage of child care facilities, Baltimore has launched a new program through the Family Tree’s Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center. This initiative aims to establish licensed child care centers, creating thousands of additional slots for families in need. By providing training and support to new providers, the program seeks to address the pressing demand for quality child care in the community, facilitating the establishment of 60 centers and creating 410 child care slots since its inception in September 2022.
Baltimore Launches Initiative to Expand Child Care Services
Baltimore, Maryland – In response to a significant shortage of child care facilities, Baltimore has initiated a program to establish new licensed child care centers, aiming to create thousands of additional slots for families in need.
Program Overview
The initiative is spearheaded by the Family Tree’s Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center, which has been instrumental in opening numerous new child care centers across the city. This effort addresses the pressing demand for child care services, as many parents have struggled to find adequate care options for their children.
Impact on the Community
Tracy Harris, director at the Family Tree, emphasized the critical role of accessible child care in enabling parents to work and support their families. She noted that quality early learning programs significantly contribute to children’s readiness for school and overall development.
Program Details
The Family Tree’s mission focuses on preventing child abuse by supporting child care providers. Through the Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center’s Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care program, the organization offers training, technical assistance, and coaching to individuals interested in opening family child care programs. This support not only increases the number of child care slots but also fosters local entrepreneurship in the child care sector.
Success Stories
Bonita Bordley, a former public school teacher, utilized the program to open Little Troopers Preschool in Sandtown. She highlighted the importance of providing foundational education in underserved neighborhoods and the value of business training in managing a child care center effectively.
Program Achievements
Since its inception in September 2022, the Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care program has facilitated the opening of 60 licensed child care centers, creating 410 new slots for children. To participate, individuals must be at least 18 years old and own their own home or have landlord approval.
Background Context
Prior to this initiative, Baltimore faced a significant gap in child care availability. With over 37,000 children under five years old in the city, there were insufficient slots to meet the demand, leaving many families without reliable child care options. The new program aims to bridge this gap by supporting the establishment of additional child care centers, thereby enhancing access to quality early education for Baltimore’s children.
Related Initiatives
In November 2025, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a $500,000 grant to The Fund for Educational Excellence to expand and improve the quality of Pre-K and child care programs in Baltimore. This investment is part of a broader effort to increase access to early childhood education and care, building upon previous investments in child care support. The grant will be used to gather data on access and enrollment, drive awareness campaigns, and help providers improve care through training to support young children with special needs.
Conclusion
The launch of this program marks a significant step toward addressing the child care shortage in Baltimore. By providing comprehensive support to new child care providers, the initiative aims to create a more robust and accessible child care system, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to start their educational journey on a strong foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care program?
The Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care program, operated by the Family Tree’s Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center, provides training, technical assistance, and coaching to individuals interested in opening family child care programs in Baltimore. This support helps increase the number of licensed child care centers and slots available to families in need.
How many new child care centers have been established through this program?
Since September 2022, the program has facilitated the opening of 60 licensed child care centers, creating 410 new slots for children in Baltimore.
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Individuals interested in opening a family child care program must be at least 18 years old and own their own home or have landlord approval to participate in the program.
What support does the program offer to new child care providers?
The program offers comprehensive support, including training, technical assistance, and coaching, to guide individuals through the licensing process and help them establish and operate successful family child care programs.
How does this initiative address the child care shortage in Baltimore?
By supporting the establishment of new licensed child care centers, the program aims to increase the availability of quality child care options, thereby reducing the gap between the number of children needing care and the available slots in Baltimore.
Key Features of the Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care |
| Operated By | Family Tree’s Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center |
| Support Offered | Training, technical assistance, and coaching for individuals opening family child care programs |
| Number of Centers Opened | 60 licensed child care centers |
| New Slots Created | 410 new child care slots |
| Eligibility | Individuals aged 18 or older who own their own home or have landlord approval |
| Program Start Date | September 2022 |
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