Child Care Utilization in Maryland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This research brief presents findings from a fall 2020 survey of parents in Maryland on child care needs, access to child care, continuity of care, and child care costs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey was conducted with families who received child care scholarships and families with children enrolled with a licensed child care provider. The survey defined “continuity of care” for young children as child care with the same provider before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; “continuity of care” has been associated with decreased parental and caregiver stress and stronger family-caregiver relationships.