looking for childcare or preschool?

Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.

Every parent wants to give their children the best possible start in life, especially when it comes to the hours they spend away from us every day. Deciding which kind of childcare is best can be stressful, and choosing the right program from a sea of options can be confusing and frustrating. Making that process faster and easier means you can get back to what’s important: spending time with your family.

Great Starts is designed to offer families a streamlined, simplified dashboard of all of your options. Explore programs based on the things important to your family: the size of the program, a cozy home environment or a classroom, hours that match your work schedule, and the activities that will help your child thrive.

Great starts here.

what to expect

  • Need care for ages 0-3 years old? Center-based programs and family child care might be the right fit for your family.

    Looking for a spot for your 3-4 year old? Preschool is where your early learner will thrive.

  • Are you looking for a program that offers afterschool care? Would you prefer a location close to home, or close to your workplace?

    All of these factors are important when finding care that works for your family.

  • Feel like you know exactly what you want? Use the button below the best fit for your family to find explore options available near you.

center-based care

  • 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. Child care 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 organizations and community organizations. They usually offer full-time child care 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

  • Family child care (FCC) providers are small business owners with a background in early childhood who provide child care in their home. 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.

preschool

  • Preschool is also known as Pre-Kindergarten, or Pre-K. Preschools focus on preparing children for kindergarten. Typically outside of a childcare center these programs are open during the school year and operate like most school districts. A variety of organizations may offer prekindergarten programs, including schools, nonprofit organizations, child care centers and family child care providers.

    In Boston, we proudly have Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), a program that is funded by the City of Boston and promises to deliver on high-quality choices that are free of cost to Boston’s three and four year old children.

    UPK is a 6.5-hour school day for 180 days per year. Depending on the setting, parents may also be able to pay for wrap around care that covers the full work day. Boston offers UPK in child care centers, schools and family child care.

    • 3-5 years old

  • Any child is eligible for UPK if they are:

    • Three or four years old, as of September 1st of the school year for which you are seeking to enroll

    • A resident of Boston