Child care centers provide care for groups of children, usually placed in classrooms by age, and they typically have teams of staff members who care for children. They are managed by a center director, who oversees the program and its staff.
Childcare centers are usually located in commercial buildings and operated by individual owners, for-profit chains, government agencies, public schools, or nonprofit entities such as faith-based and community organizations.
They usually offer full-time childcare services but may offer part-time as well. In Massachusetts, child care centers are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.