Massachusetts Child Care License Types: Requirements Comparison

	Large group & school age	Small group & school age	Family child care	FCC assistant
Characteristic	Details	Details	Details	Details
Defining characteristics
Children served	More than 10 enrollees, age 14 or younger (16 or younger for special needs)	10 or fewer enrollees, age 14 or younger (16 or younger for special needs)	Up to 10 enrollees, age 14 or younger (16 or younger for special needs)	Up to 10 enrollees, age 14 or younger (16 or younger for special needs)
Location	Non-residential facility	Non-residential facility	Private dwelling occupied full-time by licensee or known associate; or duplex/triplex where licensee resides	Private dwelling (same rules as FCC); assistant may work across multiple FCC locations
Basic qualifications
Experience required	No minimum experience requirement — qualifications set per educator role under 606 CMR 7.09	No minimum experience requirement — qualifications set per educator role under 606 CMR 7.09	1 year experience for up to 6 children 2 years for up to 8 children (incl. 2 school-aged) 3 years for up to 10 children	At least 1 year of child care experience
Potential Provider Training	Required within 12 months prior to application	Required within 12 months prior to application	Required within 12 months prior to application	Required within 12 months prior to application
First Aid & CPR	At least one staff member certified at all times during care	At least one staff member certified at all times during care	Current pediatric First Aid & CPR from in-person course required	Current pediatric First Aid & CPR from in-person course required
Professional Qualifications Registry	Current PQR number required for all educators	Current PQR number required for all educators	Current PQR number required	Current PQR number required
EEC Essentials training	—	—	Required	Required
Health documentation	Physical exam (within 1 year), immunization record, and statement of limitations — from each staff member's physician	Physical exam (within 1 year), immunization record, and statement of limitations — from each staff member's physician	Completed EEC medical form signed by applicant's physician	Completed EEC medical form signed by physician
Business documentation	Legal entity, structure, and officers Staffing plans (orientation, supervision, ratios) Enrollment procedure & non-discrimination statement Curriculum plan Diapering procedure Plan for avoiding child suspension/termination Background record check policies Financial documentation (projected budget) Copy of health care policy Plan for child transitions between classrooms	Legal entity, structure, and officers Staffing plans (orientation, supervision, ratios) Enrollment procedure & non-discrimination statement Curriculum plan Diapering procedure Plan for avoiding child suspension/termination	Copies of lead paint disclosure statement	—
Application process
How to apply	Contact regional EEC office to request a LEAD account, then apply through the portal	Contact regional EEC office to request a LEAD account, then apply through the portal	Apply for a LEAD account online directly	Apply for a LEAD account online directly
Physical location requirements
Building & fire inspections	Certificate from Dept. of Public Safety or local building inspector Fire inspection certificate Water source inspection (if private well) Lead paint inspection Integrated Pest Management compliance Pool inspections, if applicable	Certificate from Dept. of Public Safety or local building inspector Fire inspection certificate Water source inspection (if private well) Lead paint inspection Integrated Pest Management compliance Pool inspections, if applicable	At least two egresses to the outside Approved smoke detectors on all floor levels Adequate impact-absorbing material around playground equipment	Same as FCC home where care is provided
Indoor space minimums	35 sq ft of approved activity space per child; designated admin space separate from play areas	35 sq ft of approved activity space per child; designated admin space separate from play areas	150 sq ft minimum for 1–2 children 225 sq ft minimum for 3–6 children 35 sq ft per child for 7–10 children	Same as FCC home where care is provided
Outdoor space & bathrooms	75 sq ft of outdoor play space per child outside at any time; at least 1 toilet and sink per 20 children	75 sq ft of outdoor play space per child outside at any time; at least 1 toilet and sink per 20 children	No specific outdoor sq ft requirement; general safety standards apply	Same as FCC home where care is provided
Background checks
Who must be checked	All staff members	All staff members	Licensee, certified assistants, all household members age 15+, and any person regularly on the premises	Applicant (self)
Application fee
Fee	$275–$450Varies by licensed capacity	$175	$100	$75