Massachusetts State Requirements

Qualifications: Teachers: 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    Ratios for Center Based Care in Massachusetts State
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
Schoolage    (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 mos 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    Ratios for Family Child Care in Massachusetts State
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

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 988-6600
Fax: (617) 988-2451

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper St. 4th Floor
Boston, MA, 02210
Phone: (617) 988-7817
Fax: (617) 988-2451

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Massachusetts Child Care Resource and Referral Network
c/o Child Care Circuit
190 Hampshire Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 722-2529
Toll Free: (800) 660-2868
Fax: (978) 927-8083

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 988-6600
Fax: (617) 988-2451

Child Care Food Program Agency
Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Phone: (781) 338-6479
Fax: (781) 338-3399

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Child Support Enforcement Division
Department of Revenue
PO Box 6561
Boston, Massachusetts 02114-9561
Phone: (617) 626-4064
Fax: (617) 887-7550