Family, Large & Small Group, and School-Age Child Care Licensing

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in its capacity as a licensing agency, licenses all child care programs in Massachusetts. EEC enforces strong licensing standards for the health, safety and education of all children in child care. Our goal is to ensure that all providers offer the same high level of child care.

If you would like to care for children, not related to you, on a regular basis in your home you need a Family Child Care License.

You need a Small Group and School Age Child Care License if you would like to care for ten or fewer unrelated children on a regular basis in a center or building that is not your home. (If you wish to do so in your home, please see the requirements for Family Child Care Programs.)