How do I get help paying for childcare?
The MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
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.
1. Income Requirement: You may be eligible for EEC financial assistance if your family’s gross (before taxes) annual income is at or below the amounts listed in the chart.
To see if you may be eligible: Find the column at the top with your family size. Read the next row (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. If your family’s gross annual income is at or below the income amount listed for your family size and type, you may be eligible for assistance.
2. 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.
The Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies are 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:
- access to child care voucher subsidies allowing parents to maintain jobs and training, including at-risk families
- 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
- offer families written materials in 10 different languages
- employ on-site staff who speak different languages
- enhanced consumer education regarding Early Education and Care Programs/Services, and the Strengthening Families Approach
Your local CCR&R agency 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. See below for a list of local CCR&R’s or search by town by clicking → 
 | New England Farm Workers Council
1628-1640 Main Street Mohawk Trail Unit 4 141 North Street Suite 106 |
 | Child Care Resources
799 West Boylston Street 480 John Fitch Highway |
 | Child Care Choices of Boston105 Chauncy St 2nd Floor |
 | QCAP-Community Care for Kids1509 Hancock St |
 | PACE Child Care Works105 William St. 4th Floor |
 | Child Care Network372 North Street |
 | Child Care Circuit190 Hampshire St |