Massachusetts ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Massachusetts EEC Standards for Licensure (606 CMR 7.00) regulations. Bloomily helps Massachusetts childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Massachusetts licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants birth to 15 months - strictest in U.S. | 1:3 | 7 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 15-24 months | 1:4 | 9 children |
toddler Toddlers 24-33 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 2.75 years to kindergarten | 1:7 | 20 children |
prek Pre-K 4-5 years | 1:10 | 20 children |
kindergarten Kindergarten | 1:12 | 24 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 6-14 years | 1:13 | 26 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Massachusetts childcare staff
Background Record Check (Massachusetts)
Massachusetts CORI, SORI, DCF, and fingerprint-based national check per 606 CMR 7.09
DCF Background Check (Massachusetts)
Department of Children and Families background check required
Director Qualification (Massachusetts)
Director I or II certification per 606 CMR 7.09
EEC Educator Qualification (Massachusetts)
Massachusetts EEC educator qualification at appropriate level
First Aid (Massachusetts)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Lead Teacher Qualification (Massachusetts)
Lead teacher must have EEC Lead Teacher or higher certification
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Medication Administration (Massachusetts)
EEC-approved medication administration training required
Pediatric CPR (Massachusetts)
Infant and child CPR certification required per 606 CMR 7.09
Professional Development (20 hours)
Massachusetts required 20 hours annual professional development per 606 CMR 7.09
Safe Sleep Training (Massachusetts)
Safe sleep training required for infant/toddler caregivers
Staff Health Statement (Massachusetts)
Health statement and physical exam required
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Massachusetts childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, and evacuation time
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills quarterly
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate site twice per year
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Severe Weather
Shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Massachusetts EEC Standards for Licensure (606 CMR 7.00) requirements
License posted in visible location
Ref: 606 CMR 7.03
License capacity not exceeded
Ref: 606 CMR 7.03
Operational policies current and available
Ref: 606 CMR 7.03
Parent handbook distributed to all families
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
EEC licensing inspection reports posted
Ref: 606 CMR 7.03
Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(4)
Outdoor play area meets minimum (75 sq ft per child)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(5)
Temperature maintained 65-75°F
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(3)
Adequate lighting and ventilation
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(3)
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(9)
Handwashing sinks accessible to children
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(9)
Drinking water readily available
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(9)
Napping equipment clean and appropriate
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(12)
First aid kit fully stocked and accessible
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(1)
Medications stored in locked cabinet
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(3)
Emergency medications (EpiPens) readily accessible
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(3)
Cleaning supplies stored out of reach
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(7)
Hazardous materials secured from children
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(7)
Emergency evacuation plan posted
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Fire drill log current (monthly drills)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Lockdown drill log current (quarterly)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Shelter-in-place drill log (quarterly)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Evacuation to alternate site drill (semi-annual)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(8)
Outdoor equipment safe and age-appropriate
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(6)
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(12)
Background Record Check (BRC) current for all staff
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
CORI/SORI/DCF checks current for all staff
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Fingerprint-based national check completed
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Director has EEC Director I or II qualification
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Lead teachers have EEC Lead Teacher qualification
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
All staff have current pediatric CPR certification
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
All staff have current First Aid certification
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Professional development (20 hours/year)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Mandated reporter training completed
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Medication administration training (EEC-approved)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.11(3)
Safe sleep training (infant/toddler staff)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.07(12)
Staff health statements on file
Ref: 606 CMR 7.09
Infant ratio maintained (1:3, max group 7)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10(5)
Young toddler ratio maintained (1:4, max group 9)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10(5)
Toddler ratio maintained (1:5, max group 10)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10(5)
Preschool ratio maintained (1:7, max group 20)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10(5)
Pre-K ratio maintained (1:10, max group 20)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10(5)
Emergency contact forms complete for all children
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Immunization records current (MIIS or provider)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Physical exam within 12 months (updated annually)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Lead screening documented (9-12 mo and 2-3 years)
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Individual Health Care Plans for children with conditions
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 606 CMR 7.10
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 606 CMR 7.04
Track your Massachusetts compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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