Daycare in Howard County, Maryland
Licensed daycare for children six weeks to twelve years, across Howard County, MD.
Maryland-licensed for ages 6 weeks to 12 years · 5 Howard County communities · weekdays 7am – 6:30pm
FIVE COMMUNITY HUBS
Find daycare near you in Howard County.
One campus on Clarksville Pike serves families across five Howard County communities. Each location page lists neighborhoods, drive times to the campus, and tour info.
Daycare in Highland, MD
Highland · Cattail Creek · 20777
Our main campus on Clarksville Pike. Direct on-site location for Highland and Cattail Creek families.
Daycare in Clarksville, MD
River Hill · Clarksville Square · 21029
Five minutes from the campus. Direct route for River Hill, Clarksville Square, and Route 32 commuters.
Daycare in Columbia, MD
Town Center · Wilde Lake · Hickory Ridge · 21044 / 21045
A short commute from Town Center, Wilde Lake, and Hickory Ridge via the 29/175 corridor.
Daycare in Fulton, MD
Maple Lawn · Scaggsville · 20759
A short commute from Maple Lawn and Scaggsville families via Route 216.
Daycare in Laurel, MD
North Laurel · Russett · 20723 / 20724
A short commute from North Laurel, Russett, and South Howard County families.
Neighborhoods we serve
Inside our classrooms
A few moments from a real day.
Families receive regular updates from the classroom, so you can stay connected to your child’s learning, activities, and daily moments. During weekday tours, we’re also happy to walk you through our classrooms so you can see the environment for yourself.
Morning · Circle time
Art · Easel painting
Reading · Story corner
Outdoor · Playground
Pre-K · Letters
Snack · Family-style
Sensory · Water playWhy families choose us
What sets Highland Playschool apart from chain daycare centers.
Highland Playschool is an independently owned daycare in Howard County with low staff-to-child ratios, consistent lead teachers across every milestone, and full Maryland Department of Education licensing.
Known
by name.
Small, family-feel Classrooms
Every child is greeted by the same lead teacher each morning. Lead teachers stay with the same classroom through every developmental milestone, often for the full year or longer.
"It feels like a boutique daycare to us, with the structure and resources of a larger center, but the warmth and personal care of a home."— Brooke B., parent review
1 : 3
Lower ratios than the state requires
Our infant rooms cap at one educator per three babies — meeting Maryland's strictest MSDE limit, every day. Smaller groups mean every infant gets the individual attention they deserve.
Daily
updates.
Real-time photos, milestones & messages
You’ll stay connected with your child’s day through regular classroom updates, including meals, naps, activities, milestones, and teacher notes. Families receive updates throughout the day using the school’s parent communication system.
COMAR
13A.16
Maryland-licensed, inspection-ready
A fully licensed child care center under Maryland COMAR 13A.16 — meeting every state standard for safety, staffing, facility, and curriculum. Our license and inspection record are posted on-site.
Our Programs
One program for every age, infant through pre-K.
Seven age-grouped programs — each with its own ratio, daily rhythm, and developmental focus. Tap any program for full details, daily schedule, and what to expect.
Infants
Small-group, low-ratio care built around your baby's feeding, sleep, and sensory rhythm.
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Toddlers
First steps, first words, first friendships — a hands-on classroom for new walkers.
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Twos
Routine-rich days for big personalities — potty training, vocabulary, self-help skills.
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Preschool
Where curiosity meets structure. Early literacy, math, and STEAM through guided play.
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Pre-K
Kindergarten-readiness through reading, writing, math, and executive-function routines.
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Before & After Care
Reliable mornings and afternoons with snacks, homework support, and outdoor play.
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Summer Program
STEAM, adventure, culture, and teamwork — themed weeks all summer long.
Learn more →View All Programs
See ratios, age ranges, and city availability at a glance.
View all →How to choose
Nine things parents weigh before enrolling.
Based on what Howard County families ask on tours. Use these as a personal checklist when comparing daycares — including ours.
State license & inspection record
Confirm an active MSDE Office of Child Care license is posted and ask to see recent inspection results.
Staff-to-child ratio by age
Lower ratios for infants and toddlers mean more individual attention and better safety.
Curriculum & teaching philosophy
Ask whether the program is play-based, Montessori, Reggio-inspired, or academic-led, and what that means in daily practice.
Teacher tenure & training
Long-tenured lead teachers usually signal a healthy center culture and consistent care.
Tuition & fees structure
Compare tuition, registration, supply fees, and meal costs — not just the headline number. Ask what is included.
Hours & schedule fit
Match center hours and holiday closings to your work schedule and commute. Full-day, part-day, or before/after care.
Health, safety & illness policy
Ask about secure entry, allergy protocols, illness exclusion criteria, and emergency procedures.
Daily reports & parent app
How will you know about meals, naps, milestones, and incidents? Look for an app or daily written report.
How the space feels
Tour during a regular morning — observe transitions, teacher tone, and child engagement, not just the lobby.
Daycare vs Preschool
How daycare differs from preschool.
One of the most common questions on a first tour. Both serve young children — but the schedule, intent, and audience are different.
Side-by-side
Definitions, schedules, and the families each is designed for.
| Daycare | Preschool | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Care, routine, and early learning | School readiness and early learning |
| Typical ages | Infants to pre-K | Usually ages 3 to 5 |
| Hours | Often full-day and year-round | Often part-day or school-year based |
| Curriculum | Play-based, age-appropriate learning | Structured early learning and kindergarten readiness |
| Meals & nap | Often includes meals, snacks, and nap/rest time | Varies by program |
| Best for | Families needing consistent care and development support | Families focused on school readiness |
Enrollment
Tour, hold, enroll — in four steps.
Most families go from first tour to first day in 2–6 weeks. Waitlists vary by classroom and city; infant rooms fill earliest.
Schedule a tour
Choose your city and pick a 30-minute weekday slot. Bring your child if you can — we love meeting them.
See the classroom
Walk the room your child would join. Meet the lead teacher. Ask the hard questions.
Hold your spot
A refundable deposit holds your enrollment spot — or moves you to the top of the waitlist.
First-week transition
We build a transition plan with you: short visits, longer days, then full schedule.
What you should know
Questions Howard County parents ask us most.
Pulled from real tour conversations, our family interest list, and Google's "People Also Ask" for Howard County daycare searches.
How much does daycare cost in Howard County?
Howard County daycare cost varies by age, hours, and program. Tuition is usually shared during a tour or by inquiry so parents see the full picture — including what's included, sibling discounts, and any scholarship support.
The cheapest daycare isn't always the right daycare — compare licensing, ratios, and teacher tenure alongside price.
When can my baby start daycare?
Most Howard County daycares enroll infants starting at six weeks. We accept infants from eight weeks; some families wait until 3–4 months to align with parental leave.
What is the staff-to-child ratio for infants in Maryland?
Maryland MSDE sets the infant maximum ratio at 1 teacher per 3 infants, with a group-size cap of 6 infants per room. Our ratios meet or exceed the state standard.
Is daycare the same as preschool?
What is play-based learning?
Play-based learning means children learn through hands-on activities, imagination, movement, and guided discovery. Instead of sitting at desks for long periods, children build important skills through stories, songs, art, building, pretend play, outdoor time, and classroom routines.
Inside a play-based classroom, your child can:
- Build language skills through stories, songs, and conversation
- Develop early math thinking through counting, sorting, patterns, and measuring
- Strengthen motor skills through art, climbing, movement, and outdoor play
- Learn social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and problem-solving
- Practice focus, independence, and follow-through through daily routines
What does a typical day look like?
Each day is thoughtfully structured around play-based learning, meals, outdoor time, and rest. The exact rhythm varies by classroom and age, but a typical preschool day includes:
- Morning welcome & free play · 7:00–9:00 AM — gentle drop-off, quiet activities
- Circle time · 9:00–9:30 AM — songs, stories, conversation, calendar
- Learning through play · 9:30–11:00 AM — hands-on centers, small-group lessons
- Outdoor time · 11:00–11:30 AM — playground, gross motor, fresh air
- Lunch & rest · 11:30 AM–1:00 PM — family-style meal, then nap
- Afternoon activities & pickup · 1:00–6:00 PM — art, music, small-group play
How do I help my child adjust to daycare?
A staged transition usually works best: start with short visits the week before, build to half days, then full days. Predictable dropoff routines, a comfort item, and matter-of-fact goodbyes reduce separation anxiety.
What should I pack for my child's first day?
For infants: bottles, formula or labeled breastmilk, extra clothes, diapers, wipes, and a comfort item. For toddlers and up: change of clothes, water bottle, weather-appropriate outerwear, and a small bedding set for nap.
Do you take Maryland Child Care Scholarship?
Yes. All five of our centers accept the Maryland Child Care Scholarship (CCS). Eligibility is based on household income and work or school status. We can walk you through the application during your tour.
Ready to visit?
Tour any of our five Howard County centers this week.
Pick your city, pick a 30-minute weekday slot. Most families enroll within a month of touring.