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Independent guide, not a government website. Verify licensing with the state: official search by state.

Licensed child care in Massachusetts

How child care licensing works in Massachusetts, where to verify a license and the cities we cover with the state's official data.

8,859programs in the data
3,018centers and programs
5,841family homes
2cities with pages

Who licenses child care

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

Massachusetts publishes whether each program accepts EEC financial assistance; family child care is listed without addresses on our pages.

EEC Find Child Care

License types in the data

Type (as named by the state)Programs
Family Child Care5,841
Center-based Care3,014
Public School2
Private School2

Source: EEC Current Licensed and Funded Programs, Mass open data, data of October 29, 2026.

Massachusetts cities

Boston230Worcester410

Cities with the most programs in the state data: Lawrence, Springfield, Worcester, Lowell, Lynn, Boston, Dorchester, Methuen.

Help paying

Child Care Financial Assistance, EEC. See child care assistance by state and daycare costs.

Questions

Who licenses child care in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Its official search is "EEC Find Child Care".

How many licensed child care programs are in Massachusetts?

The state data we use (October 29, 2026) lists 3,018 centers and programs and 5,841 family child care homes with an active license.

Is there help paying for child care in Massachusetts?

Yes. The main program is Child Care Financial Assistance, EEC. Eligibility depends on income, family size and work or school hours.