Montgomery Child Care Association is a non-profit organization advocating quality child care and play-based education. The focus is to provide professional training for providers, quality and affordable child care and better pay and benefits for child care professionals. MCCA is also involved in 14 school programs offering infant/toddler, preschool and pre/after care; the children accepted are between the ages of two months and 12 years. The centers use The Creative Curriculum and Developmental Continuum Toolkit, a research-validated child curriculum and assessment approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. This child-centered, play-based curriculum fosters growth and learning through activities that promote healthy development and long-term educational achievement. MCCA is affiliated with the United Way.