Daycare License Requirements for Massachusetts
Worker requirements
Must be at least 21 years old or have a high school diploma or equivalent and have at least 9 months of supervised work experience with children under 7 years old and have a three credit course in Child Growth and Development; or have a Child Development Associate Credential; or have graduated from a two-year high school vocational program in early childhood education, approved by the Office for both the education and experience requirements and have been evaluated and recommended by the program instructor; or hold an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field and 3 months required work experience; or hold a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, and have 6 months required work experience, and have a three credit course in Child Growth and Development. To be considered an infant/toddler teacher, the required work experience includes time working with that age group.
Provider / Child Ratio
| Age Range | Ratio For Center-based Care |
| Infants | (1:3) and (2:4-7) |
| Toddlers | (1:4) and (2:5-9) |
| Preschool | (1:10) [full day center](1:12) [half day center] |
| School age | (1:13) |
| Mixed age group | (1:3) and (2:4-9)[Infants up to 2 yrs. 9 mos.](1:5) and (2:6-9)[15 months to 7 years]
(1:10) and (2:11-20) [2 yrs. 9 mos. to 7 years] (1:15) and (2:16-30) [4yrs. 9 mos. to 7 yrs] |
| Age Range | Ratio For Family Child Care |
| Infants | (1:3) [1 of the 3 infants must be at least 15 mos. and walking] |
| Under age of 7 years | (1:6) [includes children living in the home] |
Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services
600 Washington Street, Suite 6100
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-988-6600
Fax: 617-988-2451
Web site: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/
Family child care
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/family_child_care_regs.pdf
Child care centers
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/group_school_regs.pdf
Learn more about How To Start A Daycare
