A daycare license in Massachusetts is issued by Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: License renewal required every 2 years. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Massachusetts childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Any program caring for more than 6 children under age 7 must be licensed. Massachusetts has a dedicated standalone agency (EEC) for early childhood, separate from K-12 education. SB 2265 (2025) added an educator loan forgiveness program for EEC-licensed center staff.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 15 months) | 1:3 | 9 |
| Toddlers (15–33 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| Preschool (33 months–school age) | 1:10 | 20 |
| Kindergarten | 1:13 | 26 |
| School age | 1:13 | 26 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Massachusetts EEC
EEC Health and Immunization Record
Massachusetts-specific health record and immunization form required for all enrolled children.
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information, parent/guardian contacts, and authorized pickup authorization.
Emergency Contact Card
Medical contacts and authorized pickup persons required for all enrolled children.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Transportation AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization if transportation is provided.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Massachusetts EEC
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Massachusetts EEC
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) background checks required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Bachelor's degree in ECE or related field, OR associate's degree plus experience, OR EEC Lead Teacher certification required.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must obtain EEC certification within a set timeframe.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
20 hours of professional development annually required for all staff.
Director Qualifications
Director must hold EEC Director I or Director II certification depending on program size.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Massachusetts EEC
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually. EEC may conduct additional inspections based on complaints.
License Renewal
License renewal required every 2 years.
Application Process
Submit application to EEC regional office. Includes background checks, health and safety inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact EEC for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Massachusetts EEC
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Massachusetts EEC
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in New England.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.