Silver Spring, MD is the fourth largest community in Maryland, with a population of 78,000 people. There is a great deal of variation in the tuition rate for the 332 licensed child care facilities in Silver Spring, MD. That being said, no matter which type of program and which area of Silver Spring is considered, child care is a significant chunk of the budget for families. In Silver Spring, tuition rates go as high as $500 per week (a shocking $26,000 per year!) On average, full time child care in
home daycares costs $295 per week for infants ($15,340 per year) and $255 per week for 4-year-olds ($13,260 per year).
Child Care Centers are more expensive than family child care programs since a center-based program will cost $330/week for infants and $220/week for a 4-year-old preschooler ($17,160 and $11,440 per year, respectively). To find out the average cost of daycare in your zip code, click here to use our
daycare cost calculator.
Many Silver Spring residents are commuters due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. The urbanized section of Silver Spring is the oldest area and a significant business hub that lies just north of Washington, D.C. The community has recently undergone a significant revitalization, with the addition of major retail, residential, and office buildings that have breathed new life into town.
State-licensed facilities consist of 235 family child care homes and 97 child care centers. There is a wide variety of different types of child care programs to accomodate the needs of each family: 76 peanut free daycare can accomodate children with peanut allergies. A religious environment is provided in 13 religious daycares and 26 language immersion of bilingual child care programs support various ethnic backgrounds with lessons in a foreign language as well as learning a different culture through arts, and music. There are also 87 inclusive child care facilities that are designed to welcome children with special needs.
It is crucial that parents fully understand what steps are taken to protect their child's wellness and safety in a licensed child care facility. The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) requires that formal child care for one or more unrelated children be licensed. Child care providers and all adults working and living on the premises are required to undergo a State and Federal background check. Registered offenders in abuse and neglect of children and adults are not allowed to work in the facility. All licensed child care homes and centers are inspected at least once a year, including health, safety, and fire inspections. Routine monitoring and complaint inspections are unannounced. Licensed directors must have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field. Home-based caregivers are required to have training including face-to-face orientation, emergency preparation, medication administration training and at least one staff member certified in first-aid and CPR must always be on the premises.
Financial assistance is available through the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program that is managed by the Child Care Subsidy Central. Eligible working families must meet the income guidelines, willing to have their child immunized according to Maryland state standards and be ready to provide proof of identity for all members within the household composition. CCS Central grants child care vouchers which contain the subsidy rate that the State will be paying for child care tuition fees, with up to 12 months validity. Vouchers are accepted in more than 113 licensed early education programs participating in the Government subsidy program.