Early Education & Care

Are you looking for Child Care?

Mass 211 Child Care Information and Referral Specialists are ready to guide you through the process by answering your questions.

Child Care Specialists:

• Search EEC's extensive database to match families with providers.
• Give information to help families make the best decision for themselves.
• Provide tips for selecting child care programs based on age and stage of development.
• Connect families with quality licensed child care in their community.
• Offer child care selections for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children.
• Assist parents/guardians with making accurate and informed choices.
• Are available to help families identify, secure, and maintain an appropriate child care placement.
• Serve callers with languages other than English, via interpreter services.
• Provide consumer education and eligibility screening for financial assistance.
• Promote the best interests of children.

Do you need help paying for child care?

There are many types of financial assistance to help pay for child care in Massachusetts. The Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) maintains a waitlist for families who are eligible for a state subsidy. Mass 211 Specialists screen for eligibility and add qualified families to the waitlist by phone 24/7.

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Disclaimer:

If you do not find the information or service you need, please contact us by simply dialing 211 or 877.211.6277.  (TTY: 508.370.4890).

PROVIDER COMPLAINT POLICY:

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is the agency responsible for licensing child care programs and monitoring standards of care. As part of your child care search, we encourage you to call EEC and ask about each program’s licensing history. (EEC) is also responsible for researching complaints against specific programs or providers. Please call EEC directly to report a complaint about a child care facility. Call the Department of Early Education and Care at: (617) 988-6600 to be connected to the licensing office for your community.

I&R SERVICE COMPLAINT POLICY:

Masss 2-1-1’s goal is for information and referral staff to deliver high-quality, family-centered services to each client who contacts Mass 2-1-1. Clients who express concern or dissatisfaction with Mass 2-1-1’s services will receive immediate attention, and every effort will be made to resolve the complaint to the extent of our ability.

We welcome your comments, and want to hear about your experience. If you have feedback or concerns about the services you received, please contact us at 508.370.4868 or email us at info@mass211.org

DISCLAIMER POLICY:

Mass 2-1-1 provides referrals, not recommendations. We do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider. Only you can determine the best quality setting for your child. You are urged to interview a provider and check the provider's references carefully before leaving a child in that provider’s care..

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY:

In the course of their work, Mass 2-1-1employees may learn or come into contact with confidential information related to Mass 2-1-1 callers. Information collected from callers is confidential and used only in the context of providing services through our programs and to insure quality control.  Any information shared outside of Mass211will exclude identifying data. Employees are strictly prohibited from disclosing confidential information about clients to anyone outside our agency.

All employees are expected to abide by this Confidentiality provision even after departure from or termination of employment at Mass 2-1-1.