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 →Magical Beginnings Middleton-Maple
Middleton
Magical Beginnings Middleton-River
Middleton
Magical Beginnings South Hamilton
South Hamilton
Magical Beginnings Wakefield
Wakefield
Precious Ones Childcare After School @ WCS
Whitinsville
Lopez, Meribhet
Haverhill
BASEC @ BMHS
Belmont
Navarro Meran, Karen
Haverhill
Pineda Vargas, Milagros
Indian Orchard
Cambridge Brillante Academy
Cambridge
Haverhill YMCA Seeds to Grow After School Program
Haverhill
Lowe, Briana
East Longmeadow
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.