What is Medical Child Care?

Medical child care is the provision of skilled nursing services in a child care setting for children who have complex medical conditions and whose needs cannot be met in traditional child care programs.

The Office for Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needs supports the operation of two medical child care centers in Maryland.

Who is eligible for Medical Child Care?

Maryland’s medical child care centers can serve children ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age who have complex medical conditions and a need for skilled nursing care. Examples of conditions that may be eligible include congenital heart defects, seizure disorders, failure to thrive, and complications of prematurity such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Children who require management of various types of medical equipment such as tracheostomies, gastrostomy tubes, and central lines may also be eligible.  In all cases, the child’s health must be deemed stable enough for a group setting. Although the centers are located in Baltimore and Montgomery County, children from all counties may be served.

What services are provided at the Medical Child Care Centers?

The centers are staffed by licensed pediatric nurses, trained child care providers, and a family worker. Services provided at the centers include the following:

• Comprehensive, specialized childcare program
• Daily nursing assessments and interventions
• Special education
• Physical, occupational and speech/language therapy services if appropriate
• Family counseling and support
• Service coordination with other agencies and health care providers
• Educational transition services as the children prepare to leave the center

Please click on the links below to find out more information about Maryland’s Medical Child Care Centers:

PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs

FICCC: Family Infant, and Child Care Center

You may also contact us for more information at 1-800-638-8864.