Early Childhood Development and Care
The early development of a child provides a strong foundation that can be key to a bright and fulfilling future. In response to local childcare becoming scarce and growing more expensive for working families, PGCDSS is launching an Early Childhood Development and Care program to ensure that every child in our community has access to care that will provide them with a strong, healthy start.
The Child Care Expansion and Quality Improvement Act (CB-014-2026) was recently enacted by the County Council, creating an Early Childhood Development and Care Navigator position at the Department. The Navigator we are strengthening the connection between the County government, early childhood educators, childcare providers, and families.
The goal of this initiative is to aggressively expand the availability, affordability, and quality of childcare in Prince George's County. By building community capacity and breaking down administrative barriers, the Navigator will be empowering providers to grow and ensuring parents have safe, enriching environments for their children to learn and thrive.
Key Impact Areas of the Navigator
- Accessibility: Expand the availability of high-quality, affordable childcare across the County.
- Support: Serve as a dedicated liaison and advocate for local childcare providers navigating the licensing and inspection process with respective government entities.
- Innovation: Develop comprehensive plans and reports for Child Care that maximizes current resources, outlines future expansion goals, and defines impact on the families and the industry.
- Collaboration: Streamline the use of County-owned public spaces and facilities for early childhood development and care.
- Quality: Hold our partners and ourselves accountable for ensuring that Prince George's County children are fully available to learn and succeed.
Implementation of the Navigator Mandate
A central component of the Child Care Expansion and Quality Improvement Act is the establishment of the Early Childhood Development and Care Navigator within the Department. This new role is designed to be the primary liaison between childcare providers and the County government, removing hurdles and fostering a collaborative network of care.
Activities & Strategies of the Child Care Navigator:
Provider Assistance and Liaison Support
The Navigator will provide direct assistance to current and prospective childcare providers in the County, guiding them through complex licensing, zoning, and inspection processes to promote sustainable business growth and high-quality care.
Strategic Plan for Child Care
The Navigator is tasked with developing and implementing a County-wide Strategic Plan for Child Care. This plan will identify critical gaps in service availability, explore opportunities for collaboration, and establish actionable future goals to address the rising costs and decreasing availability of childcare.
Public Facility Utilization & Inventory
To help providers find suitable operating spaces, the Navigator will compile, evaluate, and maintain an inventory of County-owned or controlled properties that are suitable for use as childcare facilities. The Navigator will also coordinate with appropriate County agencies to facilitate and streamline the use of public buildings for before and after-school care programs.
Capital Project Integration
Working alongside the Office of Management and Budget, the Navigator will help ensure that the impact of including childcare facilities is considered in future County capital projects, building early childhood development directly into the infrastructure of Prince George's County.
This is a developing page. Please check back regularly for updates.