Massachusetts has 9,506 childcare centers and homes in its state licensing records, across 409 cities, with about 259,000 licensed seats at the 9,347 centers that report capacity. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care handles licensing. Ratios and rules here are quoted from 606 CMR 7.00. This guide covers the rules that apply, how to check a license, how subsidy works, and how to find a center in your city.
Data updated November 1, 2026 · Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (opens in a new tab) public records · How we compile this →
Centers and homes listed per city, of 9,506 in Massachusetts.
All 409 Massachusetts citiesJump to a letter, or open a group below.
Child care provided in someone's home where the caretaker is not related to the children. These programs are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. Source: MA Department of Early Education and Care, Licensed and Funded Programs dataset (opens in a new tab)
Early education and care for young children in a non-residential setting such as a school or community center. Also called group and school age programs. Source: MA Department of Early Education and Care, Licensed and Funded Programs dataset (opens in a new tab)
A private school that takes part in the state's child care financial assistance program. It is funded through that program rather than licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. Source: MA Department of Early Education and Care, Licensed and Funded Programs dataset (opens in a new tab)
A public school that takes part in the state's child care financial assistance program. It is funded through that program rather than licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. Source: MA Department of Early Education and Care, Licensed and Funded Programs dataset (opens in a new tab)
| Age | Staff : children | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 months | 1:3 | 606 CMR 7.10(9)(b) (up to 15 months) (opens in a new tab) |
| 15–32 months | 1:4 | 606 CMR 7.10(9)(b) (15-33 months) (opens in a new tab) |
| 33–71 months | 1:10 | 606 CMR 7.10(9)(b) (33 months to school age, full day) (opens in a new tab) |
These are the state’s minimums for licensed child care centers, and a center can staff richer. Read the linked rule text before relying on a figure: regulations change.
Open EEC Licensed Child Care Search (opens in a new tab) and look the center up by name and city. Confirm the license type and that its status is active.
Open the center’s record and read whatever inspection or compliance information the state posts for it.
Our page shows the license type and capacity next to the hours and programs the center lists, so you can weigh the state’s record beside what the center offers.
Each Clear Day center page in Massachusettslinks to that center’s state record when the state publishes one, so step 3 starts one click from step 1.
Massachusetts child care subsidy. Administered by: Department of Early Education and Care (EEC); waitlist via MyChildCareMA, managed by Mass211 with CCRRs
71%are current subsidy providers6,614 of 9,347 centers reporting
Massachusetts pre-K. Administered by: Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
100%accept pre-K7,386 of 7,386 centers reporting
About Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (opens in a new tab)
Federal programs for families with low incomes, from pregnancy through age five.
1%accept Head Start112 of 9,347 centers reporting
1%accept Early Head Start68 of 9,347 centers reporting
Massachusetts has 9,506 childcare centers and homes in the state licensing records Clear Day reads, across 409 cities. Lawrence has the most, with 517, followed by Springfield (492) and Worcester (431).
For children 0–14 months in licensed child care centers, Massachusetts allows up to 3 children per staff member, a ratio of 1:3 under 606 CMR 7.10(9)(b) (up to 15 months). For 15–32 months it is 1:4. The full table is on this page.
Look the center up in EEC Licensed Child Care Search, the state's public license lookup. Confirm the license is active, then read whatever inspection or compliance information the state posts for that center. Clear Day center pages link to the state's record for that center when the state publishes one.
Yes. Massachusetts's child care subsidy program is Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA). 6,614 of the 9,347 centers in our directory that report subsidy status (71%) are current providers. Public pre-K is a separate option: Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative.
Center records come from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care public records. Every share on the page names the number of centers it is counted over, and the methodology page explains how.
The state records on this page were last imported November 1, 2026. Each center page shows its own record date. See the methodology for details.
Your center is already listed here, built from state records. Claim it free and get a free enrollment website built from your listing.
Massachusetts is one of 36 states in the directory: 174,867 centers and homes across 14,128 cities. Each state has its own guide with its own rules, agency and license lookup.
Center records come from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care public records. Every percentage on this page names the number of Massachusetts centers it is counted over. Requirements are quoted from 606 CMR 7.00 and cited beside each one. This page is a guide, not legal advice. Clear Day does not rate, rank or review centers.
This information is sourced from public records and may be incomplete or out of date. For the most current and accurate details, please verify directly with Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care or contact the center directly. Clear Day does not rate, rank or endorse any center.
Data updated Nov 1, 2026 · Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care public records · Massachusetts license lookup (opens in a new tab) · How we compile this →