Massachusetts city directory

Childcare centers in Dorchester, MA

Dorchester has 231 licensed childcare centers and homes in Massachusetts's licensing records. Among the 409 Massachusetts cities with listings, Dorchester ranks #7 by centers and homes on file. 211 of 231 centers and homes accept Child Care Financial Assistance. Each listing below opens that center's own page, and shows its address, facility type and capacity where the state record has them.

Data updated Nov 1, 2026 · Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (opens in a new tab) public records · Massachusetts childcare guide → · How we compile this →

  • 231licensed centers and homes in Dorchesteron file in the state's licensing records
  • 4,475licensed seatsof 231 centers and homes reporting capacity
  • 37%serve infantsof 41 centers and homes reporting ages
  • 91%accept Child Care Financial Assistanceof 231 centers and homes reporting
Ages
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Licensed childcare centers and homes in Dorchester

Showing 1 to 50 of 231 · sorted largest first · 50 per page

Paying for childcare in Dorchester

Three programs can help Dorchester families with the cost of care, and each has its own application. They are run by government agencies, not by Clear Day. Where a figure below says "In Dorchester", it counts Dorchester centers and homes; where it says "Across Massachusetts", it counts the whole state.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Federal programs for families with low incomes, from pregnancy through age five.

1%In Dorchesteraccept Head Start3 of 231 centers and homes reporting

1%In Dorchesteraccept Early Head Start3 of 231 centers and homes reporting

1%Across Massachusettsaccept Head Start112 of 9,347 centers reporting

1%Across Massachusettsaccept Early Head Start68 of 9,347 centers reporting

Head Start locator (opens in a new tab)

More in the Massachusettsguide →

Frequently asked questions about childcare in Dorchester

Answers use the numbers on this page.
How many childcare centers are in Dorchester?

Dorchester has 231 licensed childcare centers and homes in Massachusetts's licensing records. Among the 409 Massachusetts cities with listings, Dorchester ranks #7 by centers and homes on file. The records come from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Which Dorchester centers accept Child Care Financial Assistance?

211 of Dorchester's 231 centers and homes are listed as accepting Child Care Financial Assistance. Turn on the "Accepts Child Care Financial Assistance" filter above the list to see them. Statewide, 71% of Massachusetts centers in the directory are current Child Care Financial Assistance providers (6,614 of 9,347 centers reporting). Confirm with the center and your local office before you enroll.

How families pay for care in Dorchester →

How do I check a Massachusetts daycare license?

Look the center up in EEC Licensed Child Care Search, Massachusetts's public license lookup, and confirm the license is active. Match the address on the state record to the address on the center's page here, then read whatever inspection or compliance information the state posts.

Open EEC Licensed Child Care Search (opens in a new tab)

What is the child-to-staff ratio for infants in Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts table is in the Massachusetts guide.

Massachusetts ratios & requirements →

How we compile the data →

For center directors

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Other cities in Massachusetts

Lawrence517 centersSpringfield492 centersWorcester431 centersLowell293 centersLynn272 centersBrockton169 centersMethuen169 centersHaverhill150 centersEverett142 centersFramingham135 centersFitchburg127 centersRevere119 centersHyde Park116 centersCambridge108 centersFall River108 centersMalden108 centersPeabody95 centersChicopee93 centersQuincy90 centersLeominster87 centers
View all cities in Massachusetts

How this page is built. Listings, capacities and license types come from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (opens in a new tab) public records; the Data updated date shows the last import. The notice below covers accuracy and how to verify a license.

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 →