How many childcare assistance resources are in Massachusetts?

Men's Corner tracks 9 childcare assistance resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.

Are childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts free?

7 of the 9 listed childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Massachusetts have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Boston, Taunton, Lawrence, Worcester.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts?

Featured entries include Massachusetts Child Care Financial Assistance, Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Head Start - Springfield (HCS), YMCA of Greater Boston - Childcare, Child Care Choices of Boston.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

8 of 9 Massachusetts childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.

What is a childcare subsidy?

A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.

What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?

Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.

Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?

Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.

Where do I find quality care I can trust?

Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.

Best Childcare Assistance in Massachusetts — 9 resources

About Childcare Assistance

Childcare assistance for US fathers includes the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy, Head Start and Early Head Start, state pre-K programs, and sliding-scale nonprofit childcare. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services or a dedicated office) and help families pay for childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. Eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3. State pre-K is free or low-cost in most states and offered through public schools and partner providers. Many community action agencies run sliding-scale childcare for working parents. For single dads, CCDF subsidies and Head Start are the two most consistent free options. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, local Head Start programs, and resource and referral agencies.

9 Resources

1. Massachusetts Child Care Financial Assistance — Free

State-funded childcare subsidy through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) for low-income working parents, parents in school, or parents in approved activities such as job search and parenting programs. Covers part of the cost of licensed center-based, family, and in-home care. Apply through your regional Child Care Resource & Referral agency; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates for children, and proof of work, school, or approved activity.

617-988-6600 · Apply through local Child Care Resource & Referral agency · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) — Free

Statewide network coordinated by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) helping Massachusetts parents find quality, licensed childcare providers (centers, family child care, afterschool) and understand financial assistance options. Each CCR&R serves specific regions and maintains waitlists for subsidies. Free services for parents. Find your regional CCR&R on the EEC website; call or visit to start a provider search or subsidy application. Bring photo ID and proof of income.

617-988-6600 · Regional offices across Massachusetts · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Head Start - Springfield (HCS) — Free

Free early childhood education for income-eligible Springfield-area families with children 0-5 through Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start at multiple Hampden County centers. Provides full- and part-day preschool, Early Head Start for infants and toddlers, health screenings, family support, and parent engagement. Apply at an HCS center; bring photo ID, proof of income, birth certificate, immunizations, and proof of residency. Priority for families at or below federal poverty guidelines.

413-788-6522 · Multiple Springfield-area locations · Mon-Fri (varies by center) · Visit Website

4. YMCA of Greater Boston - Childcare

Provides before-school care, after-school care, licensed preschool, full-day childcare, and summer day camp programs at multiple Boston-area YMCA branches including Roxbury, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Waltham, and East Boston. Accepts EEC childcare subsidies and offers financial assistance based on family income. Call the local branch or visit the Y website to tour a program and enroll; bring photo ID, proof of income for financial assistance, and child's birth certificate and immunizations.

617-927-8060 · Multiple Greater Boston locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm (varies) · Visit Website

5. Child Care Choices of Boston — Free

Boston-area Child Care Resource & Referral agency (a program of Associated Early Care and Education) helping Boston parents find quality licensed childcare providers, afterschool programs, and summer camps and navigate EEC financial assistance applications. Free services for parents. Call or visit to start a provider search or subsidy application; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates for children, and proof of work, school, or approved activity.

617-548-4800 · Boston, MA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Child Care Circuit (Southeastern MA) — Free

Regional Child Care Resource & Referral agency serving southeastern Massachusetts (Plymouth, Bristol, and Norfolk Counties including Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, and Brockton) with provider searches, subsidy info, and EEC financial assistance applications. Free services for parents. Call or visit to start a provider search or subsidy application; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates for children, and proof of work, school, or approved activity.

800-681-1412 · Taunton, MA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Community Care for Kids (Lowell/Merrimack Valley) — Free

Child Care Resource & Referral agency serving Merrimack Valley families (Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, and surrounding towns) with licensed provider referrals, quality ratings, EEC subsidy applications, and parent education. Free services for parents. Call or visit to start a provider search or subsidy application; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates for children, and proof of work, school, or approved activity. Bilingual staff available.

978-686-4288 · 190 Hampshire St, Lawrence, MA 01840 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Worcester Community Connections (CCR&R) — Free

Child Care Resource & Referral agency for Worcester County (operated by Seven Hills Foundation) helping parents find licensed providers, apply for EEC child care subsidies, and access parent education. Free services for parents. Call or visit to start a provider search or subsidy application; bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, birth certificates for children, and proof of work, school, or approved activity. Waitlists for subsidies vary.

508-757-1503 · Worcester, MA 01608 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Care.com - Massachusetts Childcare Search

National online platform for finding and hiring babysitters, nannies, part-time caregivers, and childcare providers in Massachusetts, with optional background check add-ons, rate transparency, and message-based screening. Families pay a monthly subscription to message caregivers; caregivers set their own rates. Does not replace EEC subsidies (most Care.com providers are not subsidy-eligible). Best for families paying out of pocket for in-home or occasional care.

Online/app-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in Massachusetts?: Men's Corner tracks 9 childcare assistance resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.
Are childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts free?: 7 of the 9 listed childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Boston, Taunton, Lawrence, Worcester.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Massachusetts?: Featured entries include Massachusetts Child Care Financial Assistance, Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Head Start - Springfield (HCS), YMCA of Greater Boston - Childcare, Child Care Choices of Boston.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 8 of 9 Massachusetts childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.
What is a childcare subsidy?: A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.
What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?: Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.
Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?: Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.
Where do I find quality care I can trust?: Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.