Childcare Assistance

How Do I Get Help Paying for Childcare?

The MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)9122008_14513_0 helps eligible families find and pay for early education and care and out-of-school time programs. Due to limited funding, eligible families may be placed on the EEC waiting list for financial assistance until funding is available.

In order to be eligible for EEC Financial Assistance, all parents/guardians in your household must meet both an income and an activity requirement.

Income Requirement

To be eligible for EEC financial assistance, your family’s gross (before taxes) annual income is at or below the amounts listed in the chart. Find the column at the top with your family size. Look at the row on the bottom (50% SMI) to find the income eligibility amount for your family. You may be eligible at a slightly higher income level if certain circumstances are present in your family such as: child or parent with a documented disability or special need.

Activity Requirement

If you meet the income requirement above, all parents/guardians in the household must also be participating in one of the following activities: Working, seeking employment, or enrolled in an education or training program (not including graduate, law, or medical school) for at least 20 hours per week for part-time care, and at least 30 hours per week for full-time care; Retired (if older than 65 years only); or You or your child has a diagnosed and documented disability or special need.

How can I get on the EEC Wait List?

To be placed on the State’s Centralized Waitlist, please contact Mass211 by calling 211 or toll free at (877) 211-6277.  You can also contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency to get on the list.  If you are already on the EEC Wait list and registered you can update your information through EEC’s Self Service Household Access Program.

Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agencies

Funded through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) that provides child care services to families and providers in every city and town in Massachusetts. These services include:

  • Fiscal accountability and monitoring of eligibility for assistance of over $257M annually to meet state and federal guidelines through the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
  • Resource & referral and consumer education to families seeking child care, including families with disabilities and at risk families
  • Access to child care voucher subsidies allowing parents to maintain jobs and training, including at-risk families
  • Multi-lingual staff and written materials
  • Enhanced consumer education regarding Early Education and Care Programs/Services, and the Strengthening Families Approach
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Find a Local CCR&R

Local CCR&R agencies keeps information on all licensed and licensed-exempt programs including child care centers, family child care providers, preschools, and out-of-school-time programs. A search can be tailored to your specific need and consultation provided on how to look for quality child care. Additional data such as age-specific vacancies, special services, financial assistance options and parenting information is also available.

Find Your Local CCR&R

New England Farm Workers Council

1628-1640 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 272-2207

21 Mohawk Trail Unit 4
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 475-3656

141 North Street Suite 106
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 236-5890

Child Care Resources

799 West Boylston Street
Worcester, MA 01606
(508) 755-2340

1480 John Fitch Highway
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 343-7395

Child Care Choices of Boston

105 Chauncy St 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 348-6465

QCAP-Community Care for Kids

1509 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 657-5302

PACE Child Care Works

105 William St. 4th Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 999-9930

Child Care Network

372 North Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 778-9470

Child Care Circuit

190 Hampshire St
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 722-2572