Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 3-5

This page, Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 3-5, is offered by
Department of Early Education and Care
Department of Public Health
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Children’s Trust

Having a preschooler is different for every person, whether you're a parent, grandparent, guardian, or caregiver. You may have questions about child development, growth, nutrition, early learning, special education, child care, and more. Find support services and self-help resources below.

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 3-5

Food Assistance

Parenting Support & Education

Child Care

In Home Visiting Services

Early Learning & Special Education

Information Resources from Partner Organizations

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Resources for Parents and Caregivers: Children Ages 3-5

Get free healthy foods and nutrition support through WIC + 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.

Find free play groups and education information + 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 for licensed child care + Search online for licensed center-based and family-based child care programs and get information on licensing, location, and ages served.

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

For Families in Massachusetts + 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.

For Young First-Time Parents + 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.

For Families Experiencing Homelessness + 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.

For Parents in Recovery + 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.

For Young Learners’ Reading Support + 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.

Get Information about Public Schools and Programs + 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.

Get one-on-one reading support for young learners + 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.

MA 2-1-1 + 24/7 phone support for Massachusetts residents to get information on essential health and human service community resources, including childcare referrals and parenting support.

CDC: Track your child’s health and development + Read about child development from birth to age 5 and tools to track and spot concerns early.

One Tough Job: Information and ideas for caregivers + Being a parent is challenging. Get parenting information and share ideas and information with other parents.

All Babies Cry: Tips for comforting your newborn + Tried and true tips for comforting your newborn. Watch videos and download a mobile app to get advice from experts and other parents.

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

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