Licensed Daycare in Massachusetts
Find the right daycare in Massachusetts in under 5 minutes. 9,050 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Free, no signup.
Massachusetts Childcare Licensing
In Massachusetts, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:3 for infants under 12 months, 1:4 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
Verify a license at Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)What's distinctive about Massachusetts: Massachusetts has the country's strictest ratios (1:3 infants, 1:4 toddlers) and the second-highest daycare costs ($2,300/mo). EEC financial assistance is income-based with sliding-scale copays.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
- Infant ratio
- 1:3
- Toddler ratio
- 1:4
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $2,300/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $1,640/mo
Top Cities for Daycare in Massachusetts
View all cities →Massachusetts Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Massachusetts families can apply for EEC Child Care Financial Assistance based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (617) 988-6600
Official Massachusetts & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Program Types in Massachusetts
Recently Verified Centers
View all 9,050 →The Belmont Nursery School
Belmont
Klever Kids Preschool & Extended Day Program
Gardner
Center for Early Education and Care - UMass/Amherst
Amherst
Mrs Perry's Preschool
Norwood
Bright Start Child Care
Foxboro
Children's Playhouse Daycare, Inc.
Everett
Bright Horizons Child Development Center
Hingham
Kinder Care Learning Center
Burlington
Children's Enrichment Center
Mansfield
New North Citizens Council Children & Family Center
Springfield
Champion Child Care
Springfield
Kinderbook Inc
Norwood
Daycare in Massachusetts — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Massachusetts is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Massachusetts?
How much does daycare cost in Massachusetts?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Massachusetts?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Massachusetts daycare?
Search 9,050 Licensed Massachusetts Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.