Choosing care

How to compare, tour and check programs.

Start here

How to find a good daycare: 4 steps that work
Tour questions to ask, plus how to check a license
Home daycare or center? How to compare

Search licensed programs near you: Massachusetts child care search (state site)

Quick answers

How do I know if a daycare is licensed in Massachusetts?

Look it up in EEC’s Child Care Search. Licensed programs must also post their license in a prominent spot, per EEC’s family guide. If a program isn’t listed, call your EEC regional office. Read the full guide →

Is a home daycare as safe as a center?

Licensed family child care homes and centers both follow EEC regulations and get unannounced state visits. Neither is automatically better. Check each program’s inspection history, ask about ratios and pick the setting that fits your child. Read the full guide →

Can I visit my child’s daycare without notice in Massachusetts?

Yes. Licensed programs must permit unannounced parent visits while your child is in care, and must tell you that in writing before enrollment. If a program discourages drop-ins, ask why. Read the full guide →

Does a home daycare follow the same rules as a center?

Mostly. Both are licensed under 606 CMR 7.00. Homes have extra sections on things like exits, space and lead paint, and center ratios come from a separate fixed-age table. Read the full guide →

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Search the state’s free database, call your referral agency, check inspection records and work the waitlists. Find a good daycare in Massachusetts.