How to Start a Daycare in Massachusetts (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a daycare in Massachusetts means meeting some of the strictest childcare regulations in the country. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licenses all childcare programs, with rigorous background checks (CORI, DCF, SORI, fingerprinting), detailed staff-to-child ratios (as tight as 1:3 for infants), and specific facility requirements (minimum 35 sq ft per child indoors, 75 sq ft outdoors). The good news: childcare services are not subject to Massachusetts sales tax, and licensing fees are modest ($100-$450 depending on program type and size). The biggest financial hurdle is the $500-$520 LLC formation fee plus $500-$520 annual report. This guide covers every requirement from official Massachusetts sources.

Daycare Requirements in Massachusetts at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation (Certificate of Organization)	Secretary of the Commonwealth	$500-$520	1-2 business days (online)
EEC Childcare License (Family)	Dept. of Early Education and Care	$100	2-4 months
EEC Childcare License (Large Group, 11-26)	Dept. of Early Education and Care	$275	2-4 months
EEC Childcare License (Large Group, 40-99)	Dept. of Early Education and Care	$430	2-4 months
Background Checks (fingerprinting)	EEC / DCJIS	$35/person	Days to weeks
CPR/First Aid Certification	Approved Provider	~$75-$150	1-2 days
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	DIA (private carriers)	Varies by payroll	Before hiring first employee
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	~$800-$3,500/year	Before starting operations
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

How to Start a Daycare in Massachusetts (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the Secretary of the Commonwealth ($500 by mail, $520 online). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS. File a Business Certificate with your city/town clerk if operating under a trade name ($25-$65).

Step 2: Attend a Potential Educator Meeting (PEM)

Before you can apply for a license, you must attend a Potential Educator Meeting at your EEC regional office. This orientation covers licensing requirements, regulations, and the application process. Sign up through the StrongStart platform or by calling your regional office.

Step 3: Complete Training and Background Checks

Training: Complete EEC Educator Orientation training and CPR/First Aid certification (must include adult, child, and infant CPR with hands-on practical skills). At least one certified staff member must be on-site at all times. Family childcare providers also need qualifying experience (6 months to 1 year depending on training hours completed).

Background Record Checks (BRC): All staff, volunteers with unsupervised access, and household members age 15+ (family childcare) must complete comprehensive background checks through EEC:

CORI – Criminal Offender Record Information (state criminal records)
DCF check – Department of Children and Families (abuse/neglect records)
SORI – Sex Offender Registry Information
Fingerprint-based national criminal history (FBI + NSOR database) – $35/person

Background checks must be renewed every 3 years. See EEC Background Record Checks for details.

Step 4: Prepare Your Facility

Your facility must meet 606 CMR 7.00 standards:

Indoor space: Minimum 35 sq ft of approved activity space per child (excludes hallways, bathrooms, adult-only areas)
Outdoor space: Minimum 75 sq ft per child who may be outdoors at one time
Bathrooms: At least 1 toilet and sink per 20 children
Safety: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, at least 2 separate exits (family childcare)
Inspections: Fire inspection and water source inspection required before licensing

Step 5: Apply for Your EEC License

Submit your application through the LEAD Portal with all supporting documentation. EEC will review your application and schedule a pre-licensing visit. License types and fees:

License Type	Capacity	Fee
Family Child Care	Up to 10 children	$100
Small Group & School Age (Provisional)	1-10 children	$150
Small Group & School Age (Regular)	1-10 children	$175
Large Group & School Age (Regular, 11-26)	11-26 children	$275
Large Group & School Age (Regular, 27-39)	27-39 children	$330
Large Group & School Age (Regular, 40-99)	40-99 children	$430
Large Group & School Age (Regular, 100+)	100+ children	$450

Staff-to-child ratios (center-based programs under 606 CMR 7.10):

Age Group	Staff:Child Ratio
Infants (under 15 months)	1:3
Young Toddlers (15-24 months)	1:4
Older Toddlers (24-33 months)	1:4
Preschool (33 months – 4 years)	1:10
Pre-K / Kindergarten (4-6 years)	1:10 to 1:15
School Age (6-8 years)	1:13

Step 6: Get Insurance and Register for Taxes

General liability insurance ($1M per occurrence recommended) covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. Professional liability is recommended for claims related to care decisions. Workers’ compensation is mandatory for all employers through DIA-regulated private carriers.

Childcare services are not subject to Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax. Register through MassTaxConnect for income tax withholding, unemployment insurance (2.42% on $15,000 wage base), and PFML contributions (0.88% total).

Cost to Start a Daycare in Massachusetts

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Certificate of Organization	$500-$520	One-time filing fee
Annual Report	$500-$520/year	Due annually on formation anniversary
EEC License (Family Child Care)	$100	Lowest cost option
EEC License (Large Group, 11-26)	$275	Center-based
Background checks (fingerprinting)	$35/person	All staff + household members 15+
CPR/First Aid certification	$75-$150/person	Must include infant CPR
Federal EIN	Free	IRS, immediate online
Business Certificate (DBA)	$25-$65	Filed with city/town clerk
General liability insurance	$800-$3,500/year	$1M/$2M coverage
Professional liability insurance	$500-$2,000/year	Recommended
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required at 1+ employees
Facility setup/renovations	$5,000-$50,000+	Varies widely by space

Estimated total startup cost: $7,835-$57,370+ (family childcare on the low end; center-based with renovations on the high end)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to open a daycare in Massachusetts?

You need a license from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). License types include Family Child Care (home-based, up to 10 children, $100), Small Group (center-based, up to 10, $150-$175), and Large Group (center-based, 11+, $275-$450). All require background checks, training, and facility inspections.

What are the staff ratios for daycare in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has some of the strictest ratios in the country: 1:3 for infants (under 15 months), 1:4 for toddlers (15-33 months), 1:10 for preschool (33 months-4 years), and 1:13 for school age (6-8 years).

What background checks are required for daycare workers in Massachusetts?

All staff, volunteers, and household members 15+ must complete CORI (state criminal records), DCF (abuse/neglect), SORI (sex offender registry), and fingerprint-based national criminal history checks ($35/person). Checks must be renewed every 3 years.

Are daycare services taxable in Massachusetts?

No. Childcare services are exempt from Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax. Childcare falls under the personal services exemption.

How much space do I need per child for a daycare in Massachusetts?

Minimum 35 sq ft of approved activity space per child indoors (excluding hallways, bathrooms, and adult-only areas) and 75 sq ft per child outdoors. At least 1 toilet and sink per 20 children.

How much does it cost to start a daycare in Massachusetts?

A home-based family childcare can start for around $7,835+ (LLC formation, EEC license, background checks, insurance, basic setup). A center-based program with renovations can cost $50,000+. The $500 LLC formation fee and $500/year annual report are among the highest in the nation.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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