Child Care and Preschool Programs
- in Massachusetts -

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Click on a program name for more information:

Massachusetts child care and preschool programs give free or low-cost child care to low-income families with children. Families can choose the type of child care they want. Families can choose day care centers, family child care, in-home child care, or preschool. Early Intervention programs help infants and toddlers who need extra help. Most Massachusetts child care and preschool programs also offer family support services and referrals.

DTA Child Care Services

DTA child care is free or low-cost child care for current and former TAFDC families. Eligible families get first priority for child care vouchers and slots and do not have to put their names on a waiting list. DTA child care is for families who are working, looking for a job, in an approved education or job training program, or disabled.

Income-eligible Child Care

Income-eligible child care is subsidized child care for low-income non-TAFDC families who are working, looking for work, in an education or job training program, or disabled. The amount a family pays for child care depends on income and family size.

Head Start / Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start are free early childhood programs for pregnant women and for children from birth to age 5. These programs help children from low-income families get a healthy start and become ready for school. Both programs give children and their families a wide range of educational and social services.

Early Intervention

Early Intervention (EI) is a program to help infants and toddlers who are at risk of developmental delays. Early Intervention teams work with children and their families to figure out what services are needed and the best way to provide those services. Early Intervention services are free for Massachusetts families with limited incomes.

Homeless Child Care

Homeless child care gives child care assistance to families living in homeless shelters so that homeless parents have time to look for permanent housing, go to school or job training, or work.

Teen Parent Child Care

Teen parent child care programs provide free child care and support services to teen parents who are in high school, a GED program, job training, or working. The teen parent child care programs encourage teens to become self-supporting and responsible parents.

Other Early Childhood Programs

Child care resources in Massachusetts include other specialized programs for parents and caregivers seeking help with child care or preschools, or other early childhood concerns.