Once you have your authorization, you need to choose where your child will go. The good news: you choose. No one assigns your child to a program.

Parent Choice

This is a core principle of the program. You have the right to pick the childcare provider that works best for your family. You cannot be required to enroll your child at any particular program.

That said, "choice" has practical limits — the provider must accept subsidies, must have an opening, and must be appropriate for your child's age. Providers come in all shapes, sizes, and cultures, so finding the right fit for your family matters.

Voucher Access for Income-Eligible Families

For income-eligible families, placements are generally expected to be in contracted slots at providers who hold a contract with EEC. Vouchers are reserved for two specific situations:

• Continuity of care — you are already in a placement and need to continue at that provider
• Sibling access — you need to place a child at the same provider as an older sibling who already has a placement there

Outside these two situations, an income-eligible family is expected to use a contracted slot. For more on the difference between vouchers and contracts, see Vouchers vs. Contracts (0.3). DTA and DCF families are not subject to this restriction.

Types of Eligible Providers

Licensed Centers and Group Programs

Large childcare programs — typically in a dedicated building, with multiple classrooms and staff. These include group childcare, school-age programs, and preschool programs. They must hold an EEC license and have a voucher agreement or contract with EEC. After-school or summer camp programs are typically within this grouping.

Licensed Family Child Care (FCC)

Smaller programs run out of someone's home. A family child care provider is licensed by EEC and typically cares for a smaller group of children. These providers may be part of a family child care system — a network that provides oversight, support, and coordination with CCR&Rs. They may also be independent.

Informal Care Providers

In some cases, an informal caregiver can be approved to provide subsidized care. Be aware: The informal care approval process is lengthy, involving documentation, training, and background checks with EEC. Approved informal care providers are few and far between.

Relative of the child (grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling):

• Must be 18 or older
• Must not be the child's parent or caregiver
• Cares for the child in the provider's home
• Must complete pre-service training and meet health/safety requirements
• Must provide documentation of their relationship to the child

Non-relative (in-home caregiver):

• Must be 18 or older
• Provides care in the child's home (not the caregiver's home)
• Must pass a background check (BRC)
• Must complete pre-service and annual trainings
• Must agree to annual monitoring visits from EEC

For both types: Informal providers may not care for more than 6 children under 13.

If You Are Also a Provider

If you own or operate a childcare program and also have a child who qualifies for a subsidy, you cannot use that subsidy at your own program through the standard placement process. EEC requires a separate, explicit approval before a parent may place a subsidized child at a program they own or operate — this is not automatic and does not follow the normal voucher or contract process. Contact your CCR&R as early as possible; your CCR&R will handle the EEC contact on your behalf. These approvals can take significant time, so starting the process well before your child's care need begins is strongly advised. Do not assume the approval will come through quickly — plan accordingly, and confirm with your CCR&R each year at renewal.

How to Find a Provider

• Contact your CCR&R — they can help you find available providers in your area
• Ask other parents — word of mouth is often how families find care
• Search EEC's provider database online
• Visit programs — if possible, visit before enrolling to see if it's a good fit

What to Ask a Provider

Before enrolling, ask the provider:

• Do you accept vouchers? (Not all licensed programs do)
• Do you have an opening for my child's age group?
• What are your hours? (Make sure they match your service need schedule)
• Do you offer transportation? (See Transportation (1.22))
• What is your attendance policy?
• What else do you require from families? (Some providers have their own paperwork, orientation, or enrollment steps.)
• Are there any additional fees? (Additional fees may only be charged in accordance with EEC policy)

Care Outside Your Area

You can choose a provider outside your CCR&R's service delivery area. All Massachusetts CCR&Rs can technically place a child at any provider in the state that has an active voucher agreement. However, if your provider falls under a different CCR&R's coverage area, that agency handles the billing and any provider-related requests or disputes — even though your home CCR&R (based on your address) handled the placement and voucher issuance.

Care Outside Massachusetts

Childcare financial assistance can only be used for care provided within Massachusetts, with limited exceptions approved by EEC.

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Next Steps

• Want to switch your current provider? See Switching Providers (1.7)
• Questions about what your voucher covers? See Parent Fees (1.8)
• Interested in having a relative provide care? Ask your CCR&R about informal provider requirements
• Are you a provider? See Accepting Subsidies (2.1)