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Learn about Group and School Age Child Care programs

Group and School Age Child Care programs provide early education and care for young children in a community-based setting outside the home. Learn more about these programs and find a licensed provider near you.

Group and School Age Child Care programs provide early education and care for young children in a community-based setting outside the home. There are two sizes of licensed Group and School Age Child Care programs: small programs that can enroll up to 10 children, and large programs that can enroll over 10 children. Group and School Age Child Care programs may be licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or school age children, and may include before/after school and summer programs.

What is Group and School Age Child Care?

Group and School Age Child Care includes several types of early education and care programs, such as preschools, kindergarten, before/after school programs, and summer programs. Group and School Age Child Care programs are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

These programs are located in facilities in the community, including school buildings. There are two license types, Small and Large. A Small Group and School Age Child Care license is for up to 10 children, while the Large Group and School Age Child Care license can certify a program to care for 11+ children.

EEC Group and School Age Child Care licensing does not include any part of a public school system.

Program licensing

EEC is dedicated to helping all children build a strong foundation for healthy and productive lives. To get an EEC license, the program has to meet health, safety, supervision, and training standards, including:

  • Programs must provide a healthy and safe environment, and offer activities that help your child develop and grow.
  • Administrators and educators must be First Aid and CPR certified.
  • Administrators and educators must be trained in child development and curriculum implementation.
  • Programs must keep appropriate ratios of educators to children.
  • Programs must complete EEC’s Background Record Check requirements.

Find a provider

If you are looking for a licensed early education and care program for your child, you can find one online using our search tool. EEC created a geographic search tool to help you find licensed child care programs.

Some licensed programs choose to not be listed in the search tool. If a program that you are looking for doesn't appear in your search results, you can call your local EEC office to confirm whether the program is licensed. EEC can provide information about a program’s license history including non-compliance findings, and any current restrictions on a license.

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