Helpful Resources

Child Care Resources

Childcare licenses are given by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care after an assessment of a program's health, safety, and education qualifications. For further information about criteria for state licensure, click here. If you have questions about a specific child care provider, you can find out how to contact your local EEC office by finding your city or town here.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children has an alternative set of criteria for accrediting child care facilities in addition to state licensure. The NAEYC accreditation is voluntary. It assesses child care programs based on the education and health of the children, the experience and credentials of the teaching staff, the leadership and management of the administration, and the strength of family and community partnerships. For more information about accreditation, call the national office at 800-424-2460.

Here are some helpful websites for organizations, national and local, that provide resources and advice concerning child care.

• Child Care Resource Center, Inc.
  Use this site to find information about different kinds of day care, summer camps, care for children with disabilities, financial assistance, and more.
  
  "CCRC works to ensure that children thrive. We promote the care and education of all children through advocacy and programs that serve families, professionals and communities. CCRC serves parents, early care and education professionals and employers with a broad spectrum of dependant care resource and referral programs, training, information and support services, and builds partnerships between community members and policy-makers to ensure the health and well being of children."- CCRC website
   
• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
  This website has information about financial assistance and grants for parents and families throughout the state. There is also information about regulations and policies for certified daycare in Massachusetts.
  
  "EEC is responsible for all licensing of early education and care programs, providing financial assistance for child care services to low-income families, information and referral services, parenting support for all families, and providing professional development opportunities for staff in the early education and care field." - EEC website
   
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  Also includes list of NAEYC accredited schools and day cares.
  
  "Whether you're looking for a quality child care program, preschool, or school for your child, or you're interested in activities you can do at home to encourage your child's development, NAEYC can help!" - NAEYC website
   
• Head Start
  Head Start's website lists resources and programs for parents of preschoolers.
  
  "The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school." - OSH website
   
• Tri-City
  Tri-City provides services in "children and family services," "advocacy and community services," and "energy services." Their website lists programs for children and families in the area.
  
  "The Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. is a multi-service, anti-poverty agency serving the cities of Malden, Medford, Everett, and surrounding communities." - Tri-City website
   
• BostonCentral
  This website includes a checklist for finding quality daycare, information about different types of daycare, and links to a variety of resources for families.