Building the Childcare Workforce: Why It Matters for Frederick County

By Micha Hagans, Employment & Training Manager, Resilient Frederick County, Program Manager

Aaron and Patti manning the Frederick County Workforce Services resource table at the Childcare & Youth Services Job Fair. Flyers describing services provided are on a table drapped with a blue tablecloth.

Childcare is essential for families and for our local economy. When parents can’t find reliable care, they often can’t work or have to reduce their hours. At the same time, employers struggle to fill open jobs. That’s why building up the childcare workforce is more important now than ever before.

The Frederick County Childcare Initiative is working to change that. In partnership with the Department of Family Services, Child Care Choices, Frederick Community College, and The Child Care Company, we’ve launched several efforts to grow the local childcare workforce and support new providers. So far, we’ve:

  • Helped nine people gain preschool certifications to start working in licensed care.

  • Trained 16 people to open or expand family-owned childcare programs, with another 6 currently in training.

  • Supported two individuals who are planning to open new childcare center in Frederick County.

  • Partnered with online and hybrid training providers to give more flexible certification options.

  • Hosted a childcare job fair with eight employers, leading to multiple interviews for job seekers — and one candidate began full-time employment at Kiddie Academy shortly after the event.

  • Division of Economic Opportunity/FCWS support of a new childcare facility opening (Young Horizons) and connecting them to training professionals in the field.

This work is just getting started. We will continue to support job seekers, providers, and local businesses as we strengthen the childcare system in Frederick County.

Want to learn more? Visit our Childcare Initiative page to see current opportunities, upcoming trainings, and ways to get involved.

A man is talking to a women from Church of the Brethern, who is standing by a table with a red stand covered in photos showing their childcare center. Bowls with pens and mints are on a blue tablecloth.
Job seeker talking to two women from FCG's Parks & Recreation, seated at a table with pamphlets about their organization and a Jenga game. A yellow retractable banner saying We are Hiring is on the left.
Job seeker talking to two women from Kiddie Academy, seated at a table with pamphlets about their organization.
Childcare Initiative, Job Seekers, BusinessJessica Mills