Great Starts

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.

• Infants: Under 15 months
• Toddlers: 15 months to 2 years and nine months
• Preschoolers: 2 years and nine months to kindergarten

• Children to be cared for in groups with other children of the same age.
• A structured, classroom-like environment.
• A wider variety of equipment, supplies, and activities.
• Many adults present to care for children.

• Family child care (FCC) providers are small business owners with a background in early childhood who provide child care in their homes. In Massachusetts, FCC providers are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care for 6-10 children and may serve infants through preschoolers in the same space.
• The current license for all these programs will be posted in a prominent location, so look for the license.

• Infants: Under 15 months
• Toddlers: 15 months to 2 years and nine months
• Preschoolers: 2 years and nine months to kindergarten

• A home-like setting and small group size.
• Greater caregiver consistency because children do not move to different classrooms with different staff like they might in a center-based setting.
• More flexible hours, such as evening and weekend care.
• For siblings to be together rather than separated into different age groups. Less expensive rates than center-based care.
• Childcare that mirrors the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the communities they serve.

Boston Pre-K is a high-quality, public pre-kindergarten program for Boston families, funded and administered by Boston Public Schools.

Designed for children ages 3 and 4, this program offers a diverse portfolio of options, including Boston Public Schools, community-based organizations, independent schools, and family childcare providers.

Boston Public Schools is a public school district committed to transforming the lives of all students, Pre-K through Grade 12 and beyond, through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of 119 innovative, welcoming schools, including early education centers, elementary schools, Pre-K through Grade 8 schools, and high schools.