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Great Starts is a Citywide Enrollment Platform co-created by the Office of Early Childhood and Boston Public Schools in partnership with a number of state agencies and community-based partners. This platform offers families a streamlined, simplified dashboard of their school options in the City of Boston, including childcare, preschool, and Boston Public Schools.
Through Great Starts, you can explore programs based on what matters most to your family: the size of the program/school, location, hours that match your work schedule, and the activities that will help your child thrive.Great starts here!
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What is it
Child care centers provide care for groups of children, usually placed in classrooms by age, and they typically have teams of staff members who care for children. They are managed by a center director, who oversees the program and its staff. Childcare centers are usually located in commercial buildings and operated by individual owners, for-profit chains, government agencies, public schools, or nonprofit entities such as faith-based and community organizations. They usually offer full-time childcare services but may offer part-time as well. In Massachusetts, child care centers are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.
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For Children ages
- Infants: Under 15 months
- Toddlers: 15 months to 2 years and nine months
- Preschoolers: 2 years and nine months to kindergarten
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Best for families who want:
- Children to be cared for in groups with other children of the same age.
- A structured, classroom-like environment.
- A wider variety of equipment, supplies, and activities.
- Many adults present to care for children.
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What is it
- Family child care (FCC) providers are small business owners with a background in early childhood who provide child care in their homes. In Massachusetts, FCC providers are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care for 6-10 children and may serve infants through preschoolers in the same space.
- The current license for all these programs will be posted in a prominent location, so look for the license.
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For Children ages
- Infants: Under 15 months
- Toddlers: 15 months to 2 years and nine months
- Preschoolers: 2 years and nine months to kindergarten
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Best for families who want:
- A home-like setting and small group size.
- Greater caregiver consistency because children do not move to different classrooms with different staff like they might in a center-based setting.
- More flexible hours, such as evening and weekend care.
- For siblings to be together rather than separated into different age groups. Less expensive rates than center-based care.
- Childcare that mirrors the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the communities they serve.
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What is it
Boston Pre-K is a high-quality, public pre-kindergarten program for Boston families, funded and administered by Boston Public Schools. Designed for children ages 3 and 4, this program offers a diverse portfolio of options, including Boston Public Schools, community-based organizations, independent schools, and family childcare providers.
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For Children ages
Children must be 3 or 4 by September 1 of the school year they want to enroll
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Best for families who want:
Free, high-quality early education experience in a safe, inclusive, and diverse environment that sets your child up for success. It’s designed for families who want the flexibility to choose from various school settings without compromising on educational quality.
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Learn about the registration process
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What is it
Boston Public Schools is a public school district committed to transforming the lives of all students, Pre-K through Grade 12 and beyond, through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of 119 innovative, welcoming schools, including early education centers, elementary schools, Pre-K through Grade 8 schools, and high schools.
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For Children ages
3-18 (2.9 to 22 for students with an IEP)
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Best for families who want:
Free, standards-based education in a setting that values diversity and inclusion, values partnerships with families, and tailors instruction to meet the individual needs of every student.
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Learn about the registration process
