MSDE previews regulatory package on childcare staffing, KRA, licensing and restraint/seclusion rules

Maryland State Department of Education staff presented a package of proposed COMAR regulatory changes at the Education Policy Committee's first meeting, describing amendments on school‑age childcare group size and staffing, the kindergarten readiness assessment, probationary teacher licensing, licensing documentation, and restraint and seclusion rules.

Dr. Akila Aileen, executive director for governmental affairs, education policy and external relations at MSDE, outlined the school‑age childcare proposal and said the department would allow a center located in a school building to use a higher maximum group size with enhanced staffing. "Under the current regulations, a group of school‑age children 5 and older must have a staff‑child ratio of 1 to 15, and a maximum group size of 30," Aileen said. "Under the proposed amendment ... a center located in the school building may also utilize a maximum group size of 45, but this is only if the staffing is set as at least 1 teacher, 1 assistant teacher, and 1 aide."

Aileen also described adjustments to first‑aid and CPR staffing requirements and explained staff aim to reduce confusion across different program types by standardizing ratios. She noted that some language in the draft attempts to reconcile multiple existing ratios and that program leads will present detailed definitions and monitoring plans at the full board meeting.

On kindergarten readiness assessments, Aileen said proposed changes would require every incoming kindergarten student to take a department‑approved KRA, moving from a representative sample to a statewide administration consistent with Blueprint legislation. "We're saying that LEAs are required to administer ... a department‑approved assessment," she said; MSDE staff added that the department will consult with the Accountability and Implementation Board as statutorily required when adopting that regulation.

MSDE also proposed a probationary‑teacher pathway allowing individuals who are new to Maryland and meet minimum age, education and training criteria to be employed for a six‑month probationary period while they complete prerequisite semester hours and training; failure to complete required coursework during that period would require reassignment or termination. The department described this as a step to expand the childcare provider workforce while ensuring training requirements are met.

On licensing, staff proposed removing the requirement that applicants provide a Social Security number and instead allow an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) so prospective providers without SSNs are not barred from licensure; staff said public comments documented how SSN requirements had been a licensing barrier for some prospective providers.

Finally, Aileen summarized proposed amendments to align COMAR with statutory changes from House Bill 1255, including revised definitions of restraint and seclusion and new sections on notice, review, assessment and corrective action. She said the regulatory text now explicitly includes students covered under Section 504.

MSDE staff and committee members flagged several follow‑up items: staff will bring full draft regulations and definitions to the board meeting for detailed review, Dr. Cook will present monitoring and enforcement details for probationary and home‑based providers, and the committee will review public comments uploaded to board docs. The package will return to the State Board for permission to publish and for adoption at future meetings.