Massachusetts
Working families in Massachusetts need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Massachusetts. But too many working families in Massachusetts are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Massachusetts economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
In the state, 73% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $26,343 a year (or $2,195 per month).
More than 13,500 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 12% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $284 a month.
11.5K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 12% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 34% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 143.1K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $4.6 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity.
Massachusetts: In The Headlines
New study from Harvard offers a solution to the child care crisis: Pay workers more
Boston Globe | aUGUST 12, 2026
The results of a new survey add to increasing evidence that affordability is the key barrier to expanding access to formal child care in Massachusetts.
Child care deserts: the high cost of early education for parents and daycares
WGGB | jULY 30, 2026
Official data from the Commonwealth shows about 70% of infants and 43% of toddlers live in an access desert.
Rising food costs squeeze child care providers, report finds
WWLP | August 25, 2026
Child care providers are financially struggling to keep up with escalating food costs.
Massachusetts Resources & News
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FFYF 2026 Head Start State Fact Sheets
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FFYF’S 2023 State Fact Sheets
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FFYF’s 2022 Child Care & Early Learning State Fact Sheets
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High-quality early childhood education is proven to dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future—particularly children from low-income families—while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. To …
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Congresswoman Katherine Clark introduces bill to revitalize child care industry
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Massachusetts: Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
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