Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 3-5

The Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other services to eligible Massachusetts families.

The Massachusetts Family Centers and the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Network offer free parent-child playgroups, education, and support for you and your child in your community.

Search online for licensed center-based and family-based child care programs and get information on licensing, location, and ages served.

Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) offer child care financial assistance to eligible families and resources for finding child care services.

The Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative provides free home visiting services to eligible families expecting a child or have young children from a family support specialist trained to understand the needs of pregnant and parenting families.

Healthy Families is a free support program for first-time moms and dads ages 23 and under. Young parents can sign up for the program from pregnancy until their baby reaches age 1.

F.O.R. Families is a home visiting program for families who are transitioning from homelessness to stable housing and receiving Emergency Assistance from the Division of Housing Stabilization.

FIRST Steps Together is a home visiting program in some communities that was created to support you as a parent working on your recovery. Each family is connected with a Family Recovery Support Specialist, who is a parent in recovery themselves.

ParentChild+ is a school readiness program that provides one-on-one reading support for young learners in some communities for families facing challenges. Early learning specialists meet one-on-one with you and your child.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education information offers an hub that includes a school finder tool for preschool programs as well as early learning information for families.

ParentChild+ is a school readiness program that provides home-based support in some communities for families facing challenges. Early learning specialists meet one-on-one with you and your child.

Public school districts provide early childhood special education services for eligible children ages 3-5 with disabilities who need special instruction or related services, and whose disabilities affect their ability to take part in typical preschool act

24/7 phone support for Massachusetts residents to get information on essential health and human service community resources, including childcare referrals and parenting support.

Read about child development from birth to age 5 and tools to track and spot concerns early.

Being a parent is challenging. Get parenting information and share ideas and information with other parents.

Tried and true tips for comforting your newborn. Watch videos and download a mobile app to get advice from experts and other parents.

Information for parents on caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being, including a Crisis Call and Text line.