Maryland allocates record funds to child care. For some families, it still may not be enough.

Mindy Bowman started online classes to get her psychology degree because she feels it will make her a better mom. To meet that goal, she sends her 2-year-old daughter to day care three days a week, which costs $474 a month. 

That’s after the child care scholarship Bowman receives as a single parent going to school full time, getting ready to start an internship and raising two other children. 

“It’s almost like you’re paying rent for your child to go to school,” Bowman said. “For a long time...