Licensed · State-verified

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.

9,050
Licensed Centers
$2,300/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,640/mo
Avg Preschool
1:3
Infant Ratio
Search 9,050 Massachusetts centers Estimate your monthly cost

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

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Lawrence
490 centers
Springfield
483 centers
Worcester
420 centers
Lowell
284 centers
Lynn
260 centers
Dorchester
221 centers
Boston
217 centers
Brockton
175 centers
Haverhill
148 centers
Methuen
147 centers
Framingham
140 centers
Everett
130 centers
Financial help

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

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Official Massachusetts & Federal Resources

Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.

License search
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Verify license & inspection history
Cost & quality data
ChildCare Aware Massachusetts
Annual cost report & advocacy
Federal · HHS.gov
Head Start Locator
Free programs for eligible families
Federal · ACF.gov
childcare.gov
National subsidy & CCDF info

Program Types in Massachusetts

Family Daycare
5,906 centers
Center Based Care
3,023 centers
Public School
86 centers
Private School
35 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 9,050 →
S Licensed Center

South Shore YMCA Quincy ASCP Marshall School

Quincy

2 years - 12 years Cap 78
B Licensed Center

Berkshire Family YMCA at Egremont

Pittsfield

2 years - 12 years Cap 26
C Licensed Center

Citizens for Citizens Ext Day-Greene School Site

Fall River

2 years - 12 years Cap 52
O Licensed Center

Old Colony Y - Cold Spring/Plymouth

Plymouth

2 years - 12 years Cap 26
O Licensed Center

Old Colony Y - Hedge/Plymouth

Plymouth

2 years - 12 years Cap 39
O Licensed Center

Old Colony Y-West Elementary

Plymouth

2 years - 12 years Cap 39
Y Licensed Center

YWCA @ Arlington Mills Enrichment Center

Lawrence

2 years - 12 years Cap 111
C Licensed Center

Community Kids Place - Guilmette

Lawrence

2 years - 12 years Cap 39
1 Licensed Center

18 Degrees Morningside Kids Club

Pittsfield

2 years - 12 years Cap 26
A Licensed Center

A Place to Grow at the Stratton School

Arlington

2 years - 12 years Cap 143
K Licensed Center

KIDSART!

Jamaica Plain

2 years - 12 years Cap 60
M Licensed Center

Mason Rice After School The Hut

Newton Center

2 years - 12 years Cap 42

Daycare in Massachusetts — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Massachusetts is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-licensed-child-care.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Massachusetts?
State minimums in Massachusetts are roughly 1:3 infants, 1:4 toddlers, and 1:10 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Massachusetts?
Full-time infant care averages about $2300/month; preschool runs around $1640/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Massachusetts trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Massachusetts?
Yes. The primary state program is EEC Child Care Financial Assistance, reachable at (617) 988-6600. Federal options like Head Start, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Dependent Care FSA also apply. See our subsidies guide for eligibility rules.
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Massachusetts daycare?
File a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

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