Licensed Daycare in Boston, Massachusetts
200 licensed daycares in Boston, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Massachusetts licensing records.
Boston listings updated May 2026 from official Massachusetts records.
Daycare in Boston: what parents should know
Families in Boston can choose from 200 licensed childcare providers, with Family Daycare the most common type (about 61% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Massachusetts license at indexing time, sourced from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
Licensed care in Boston spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 61% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Together, licensed providers in Boston report capacity for roughly 5,765 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Boston childcare by the numbers
The Boston childcare landscape
Boston is one of the most expensive childcare markets in the country — but it also runs a city-funded universal pre-K program, so the 4-year-old year can be free even where infant care is steep. The split between high private prices and strong public/subsidized options defines the Boston market.
Boston Universal Pre-K (UPK)
The city's Universal Pre-K (UPK) initiative offers free, full-day pre-K for Boston 4-year-olds through Boston Public Schools and a growing network of community-based providers. It has expanded steadily, so a free, high-quality pre-K year is increasingly the default for Boston families.
Subsidies and Head Start
Massachusetts helps eligible families through Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) vouchers and contracted slots, accessed via local resource agencies. For income-eligible infants and preschoolers, ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) runs one of the city's largest Head Start and Early Head Start networks.
How licensing works
Child care in Massachusetts is licensed and inspected by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Licensing status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before you enroll.
Neighborhoods and cost
Boston is at the top of the national price range — full-time infant care commonly runs $2,000–$2,800/month. The Back Bay, South End, and Seaport are the priciest; Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan have more subsidized and Head Start options; and nearby Cambridge and Somerville are separate but heavily used adjacent markets.
When to start looking
Apply for UPK through Boston Public Schools on its enrollment cycle. Boston infant rooms are among the hardest to secure in the country — waitlists often open during pregnancy, so tour and list as early as possible.
Childcare costs in Boston
ChildCare Aware reports the Massachusetts average full-time cost at $2,300/month for infant care and $1,640/month for preschool. City-level prices in Boston vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Massachusetts families may also qualify for EEC Child Care Financial Assistance (intake: (617) 988-6600).
Full Massachusetts licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
- Infant ratio
- 1:3
- Toddler ratio
- 1:4
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 28 kids
Program types in Boston
Largest licensed centers in Boston
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Boston licensed centers
Page 3 of 6Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Boston, Massachusetts?
What's the average daycare cost in Boston?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Boston daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Boston?
How do I verify a Boston daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Boston
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programEEC Child Care Financial Assistance can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(617) 988-6600 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
Official license searchChildcare resources for Boston
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Boston, Massachusetts are compiled from official Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 200 Licensed Centers in Boston
Free, no signup, verified directly with Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).