Massachusetts Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes (2024–2026)

Safe sleep binder updated to the November 2026 policy: no swaddling without a provider form; pacifiers without clips; jewelry waivers on file EEC Policy FO-26-05 Centers · Family child care
Written civil law enforcement policy in place: named contact person, staff procedures, interaction log M.G.L. c. 15D, § 23 (St. 2026, c. 163, § 3) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Updated emergency preparedness plan (11 areas) submitted in LEAD, posted next to the license, shared with staff and parents EEC Policy FO-26-01 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
EEC Essentials 2.0 certificate before hire and a current-year EEC Essentials Refresher certificate (due June 30) for every person in ratio EEC Policy FO-26-04 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Family child care interns, volunteers and affiliated persons (April 1, 2026) EEC Policy BRC-26-01 Family child care Family child care educators now submit background checks for interns, volunteers and affiliated persons under those roles in LEAD rather than as "regularly on the premises." As a result these people are now subject to…
EEC Staff Records Checklist on the current template, reviewed monthly, annual affidavit signed EEC Policy FO-26-02 Centers · School-age programs
C3 operational grants written into law M.G.L. c. 15D, §§ 19–21 (St. 2024, c. 140, § 36) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs The fiscal 2025 budget (approved July 29, 2024) made the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants permanent by adding an Early Education and Care Operational Grant Fund (§ 19), an operational grant program (§ 20) and…
Preschool naptime staffing (January 1, 2025) EEC Policy FO-24-19 Centers During naptime, two assistant teachers or one teacher-qualified staff member may supervise a preschool room of up to 20 children, all of preschool age, if both are CPR and first aid certified, backup staff are on site,…
Bottle warmers are warm-air or waterless electric only; no hot water dispensers EEC Policy FO-25-03 Centers · Family child care
Electronic records accepted (August 1, 2024) EEC Policy: Use of Electronic Records Centers · Family child care · School-age programs EEC formally accepts electronic records in place of paper, as long as they are stored securely, can be opened immediately during a visit, stay available during a power or internet outage, and devices are charged and in…

Who needs a license, and what kind

License current and posted where parents can see it M.G.L. c. 15D, § 6; 102 CMR 1.03(2) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Who is covered and who is not 606 CMR 7.02 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Family child care is care in a private residence for no more than 10 children under 14 (16 with special needs).
Renewal application filed at least 30 days before expiration 606 CMR 7.03(1)–(3) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
How long a license lasts 606 CMR 7.03(5)(b), 7.03(6)(b); M.G.L. c. 15D, § 7(d) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs A regular family child care license lasts three years.
Own children younger than school age counted toward capacity 606 CMR 7.03(5)(c)–(f) Family child care
EEC phone number posted; staff know what must be reported immediately, within 24 hours and within 48 hours 606 CMR 7.04(15) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Program administrator and administrative time (group programs) 606 CMR 7.04(17)(m) Centers · School-age programs Group programs must designate a qualified program administrator in writing, notify EEC before any change, and keep an administrator on the premises full time.

Staff-to-child ratios

Ratios: infants 1:3 (group 7); toddlers 1:4 (group 9); preschool 1:10 (group 20), half-day 1:12 (24); kindergarten 1:15 (30); school age 1:13 (26) 606 CMR 7.10(9)(b) Centers · School-age programs
Large group mixed-age groups 606 CMR 7.10(9)(c) Centers · School-age programs Infant/toddler: 1:3, group of 9 with no more than 3 infants.
Home: 1 educator up to 6 (max 3 under 2) or 7–8 if extras are school age; 2 educators up to 10 (max 6 under 2, max 3 infants) 606 CMR 7.10(4) Family child care · Centers
Written staff schedule posted, showing ratios during breaks; second adult always available 606 CMR 7.10(8) Centers · School-age programs
Supervision rules for every program 606 CMR 7.10(5) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Infants who enroll before 6 months of age must be under direct visual supervision at all times, including naps, for their first six weeks in care.

Group size and capacity

Children present never exceed licensed capacity 606 CMR 7.03(2) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Family child care capacity tiers 606 CMR 7.09(15)(b) Family child care A family child care license is issued for up to 6, 7 to 8, or 9 to 10 children, and each tier requires more experience.
Sharing rooms and combining groups EEC Policy: Staff Ratios and Groupings Centers EEC recommends one group per classroom; if groups share a room it must be divided into separate activity areas with partitions, storage units or other barriers.
Indoor 35 sq ft per child (group); outdoor 75 sq ft per child outside at once 606 CMR 7.07(15)(c), 7.07(16)(c) Centers · Family child care

Staff qualifications

Family child care licensees and assistants 606 CMR 7.09(15) Family child care Educators must be at least 18. A first-time licensee needs current first aid and CPR, plus experience: for 6 or fewer children, for example, one year as a parent or one year of full-time child care experience (or…
Center teachers, lead teachers and directors 606 CMR 7.09(18)(c); EEC Minimum Hiring Requirements Centers The regulation sets four levels: assistant teacher (16+ or a high school diploma, always supervised), teacher (21+ or a high school diploma, with 3 credits in child growth and development and 9 months' experience, or a…
School-age program staff 606 CMR 7.09(19) School-age programs Assistant leader: 16+, in or finished high school, directly supervised.
Every educator registered with EEC this year; physical within a year of hire on file 606 CMR 7.09(4), (11)–(13) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Orientation documented before staff work alone; observation every 2 months; annual written evaluation 606 CMR 7.09(17) Centers · School-age programs

Background checks

Suitable BRC on file for every employee, intern, unsupervised volunteer and (family child care) household member 15+ 606 CMR 14.05; M.G.L. c. 15D, § 7 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Provisional hires never out of sight of a staff member found suitable 606 CMR 14.13(2) Centers · School-age programs
Annual BRC consent recertified for every staff member and household member 606 CMR 14.07(7)–(9); M.G.L. c. 15D, § 8(d) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Disqualifications and appeals 606 CMR 14.10, 14.14 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Mandatory, lifetime disqualifications include sex offender registration and felony convictions for murder, child abuse or neglect, crimes against children, spousal abuse, rape or sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, and…

Training hours

EEC Essentials 2.0 and the annual refresher EEC Policy FO-26-04 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Everyone in ratio completes EEC Essentials for Early Childhood 2.0 (13 courses, about 12 hours) or the after-school version (11 courses, about 10 hours) on EEC's StrongStart system before starting work, then a roughly 3…
Annual PD hours met for each educator (20 h for 20+ h/week center staff; 10 h for full-time family child care), one third on diverse learners 606 CMR 7.09(15)(f), (16)(c), (18)(d), (19)(b) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
First aid and CPR certified educator on site at all times; group staff first-aid certified within 6 months of hire 606 CMR 7.11(1)(a), 7.09(17)(d); EEC CPR and First Aid policy Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Medication, infection control and nutrition training 606 CMR 7.11(1)(b), 7.12(2) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs All educators must be trained in the program's emergency procedures, standard precautions, medication administration and recognizing side effects, and in USDA nutrition requirements and choking hazards.

Health and safety

Abuse, neglect and mandated reporting 606 CMR 7.11(4) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Every educator is a mandated reporter and must report suspected abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families under M.G.L. c. 119, § 51A.
Incident log reviewed monthly; parents notified in writing within 24 hours of injuries beyond minor first aid 606 CMR 7.11(5) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Illness and infection control 606 CMR 7.11(9)–(10) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Follow Department of Public Health exclusion rules for serious, contagious and reportable diseases and notify all parents when one enters the program.
Diapering 606 CMR 7.11(12), (18)(c) Centers · Family child care Change diapers regularly and whenever wet or soiled, on a surface used for nothing else, away from food areas, with a hand on the child at all times.

Facility, furniture and hazards

Shelves, dressers and TVs secured so they can't tip; blind cords out of reach; no CPSC-recalled items 606 CMR 7.07(13) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Daily hazard walk-through; building and fire inspection certificates current 606 CMR 7.07(1)–(5) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Indoor safety specifics 606 CMR 7.07(10)–(12), (14) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Window screens and guards; rooms at least 65°F; hot water at sinks no hotter than 120°F; outlets covered where children under school age can reach; carbon monoxide detectors; handrails on stairs and permanently…
Lead paint 606 CMR 7.07(15)(a), 7.07(16)(a) Centers · Family child care Group programs serving any child under 5 must have a lead paint inspection and comply with the Department of Public Health lead rules, and must disclose results to families.
Outdoors, water and firearms 606 CMR 7.07(7), 7.07(9), 7.11(17)(a) Centers · Family child care Outdoor hazards such as busy streets, parking lots and water must be fenced with a sturdy barrier at least 4 feet high.

Emergency preparedness

Monthly evacuation drill from each floor, logged with date, time, exit, number of children and outcome 606 CMR 7.11(7)(h) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Plan posted beside the license; staff trained yearly; backup caregiver named (family child care) 606 CMR 7.11(7)(f)–(g); EEC Policy FO-26-01 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
911 reminder, Poison Control, back-up person, allergy and emergency medication list, license posted 606 CMR 7.04(14) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Medication

Medication log: child, medication, dose, time, method, staff signature; missed doses noted; OTC consent renewed weekly 606 CMR 7.11(2) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Individual health care plans 606 CMR 7.11(3) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Any child with a diagnosed chronic condition needs an individual health care plan in the record.

Immunizations and health records

Immunization certificate, physical (within 1 year) and lead screening on file for each child, updated yearly 606 CMR 7.04(7)(a)13., 7.04(8) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Nutrition

Weekly menus kept 1 year; fridge thermometer 32–40°F; infants held for bottles 606 CMR 7.12 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Safe sleep

Infants on back, alone, in a CPSC-compliant crib with nothing soft; no swaddling without a provider form; no sleeping in swings or car seats 606 CMR 7.11(13)(e); EEC Policy FO-26-05 Centers · Family child care
What happens after a safe sleep citation EEC Policy FO-26-05 (Compliance) Centers · Family child care If no safe sleep space can be found during the visit, care for that infant must stop until the program shows compliance.
Rest for older children 606 CMR 7.11(13)(a)–(d) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Children in care more than four hours get a scheduled rest or quiet period, each with their own labeled mat, cot or bed and blanket, at least 2 feet apart (or 3 feet between faces).

Discipline and behavior

No corporal punishment, food as consequence or confinement; time-out no more than 1 minute per year of age, in view 606 CMR 7.05(8) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Suspension and termination 606 CMR 7.04(3)(b), 7.04(17)(i) Centers · School-age programs Before suspending or terminating a child, the program must tell the parents in writing the specific reasons and any conditions for return.

Records and parent information

Child records complete and updated yearly; kept 5 years after the child leaves 606 CMR 7.04(4), (7), (9) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Confidentiality and parent access 606 CMR 7.04(12) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Records are confidential and may not be released without written parent consent or a court order.
Progress reports 606 CMR 7.06(3) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Prepare a written progress report and offer a parent conference every three months for infants and children with special needs, every six months for toddlers and preschoolers, and at least yearly for school-age children.
Written information for parents and open visits 606 CMR 7.08(4), (6) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Parents may visit unannounced at any time while their child is present.

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Arrival and departure times recorded for every child; a live headcount available at all times; kept 5 years 606 CMR 7.04(4)(a)–(c) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Written authorized pickup list for each child; custody and restraining orders on file 606 CMR 7.04(7)(a)6., 7.13(6)(h) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Transportation and field trips

Transportation plan, drivers and vehicles 606 CMR 7.13(1)–(5) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Have a written transportation plan and each parent's consent to their child's plan.
Driver attendance before and after each trip; post-trip vehicle sweep; passenger log with names and times 606 CMR 7.13(4)(j), (6); EEC Transportation Policy Centers · Family child care · School-age programs
Signed field trip consents; each child carries program contact information off site 606 CMR 7.11(6) Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Inspections and enforcement

Visits 102 CMR 1.06; EEC Inspections and Visits Policy Centers · Family child care · School-age programs EEC may visit at any reasonable time and investigate complaints.
Sanctions, fines and license actions 102 CMR 1.07; M.G.L. c. 15D, §§ 8(g), 10 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs EEC may issue a deficiency correction order and impose sanctions such as stopping new enrollment, reducing capacity, requiring a consultant or monitor, or restricting a staff member's contact with children.
Corrective action plans written in English, specific, and free of children's names EEC Policy: Posting Visits and Investigations Centers · Family child care · School-age programs

Disputing findings and appeals

Disputing a non-compliance EEC Policy: Process for Contesting Findings Centers · Family child care · School-age programs A citation by itself has no formal appeal: your response is the corrective action plan, written in your own words.
Reconsideration and hearings 102 CMR 1.08 Centers · Family child care · School-age programs Within 7 days of a sanction or deficiency correction order, the licensee may ask EEC's General Counsel for administrative reconsideration, which is decided within 15 business days.

Massachusetts daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes (2024–2026)

Who needs a license, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and capacity

Staff qualifications

Background checks

Training hours

Health and safety

Facility, furniture and hazards

Emergency preparedness

Medication

Immunizations and health records

Nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and behavior

Records and parent information

Attendance and sign-in/sign-out

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Disputing findings and appeals

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