Become a Provider

Interested in Becoming a Family Child Care Provider?

Child Care Choices of Boston (CCCB) is glad you’re interested in becoming a family child care provider!  Family Child Care is an important service to our community.  It is also a challenging business and a rewarding profession.

You must have a license to care for children in your home on a regular basis. The first step toward obtaining a license is to attend a Potential Provider Meeting (PPM) at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The PPM is free and will help you decide if family child care is the right career choice for you. You will also receive the license application at this meeting. Please call EEC at 617-472-2881 to register.

After you attend the PPM, you must attend a three-hour orientation with CCCB. The orientation will give you more information about license requirements and running a successful family child care business. Click here to download the orientation registration form.

Some things you should know about becoming licensed: To offer family child care:

  • Your home needs to have 2 separate exits.
  • Your home must not have any chipping or peeling paint.  If chipping or peeling paint is found when you receive a pre-licensing inspection, you will be required to have your space inspected for lead paint.  If it has lead paint, it will need to be de-leaded before you can be licensed.
  • You must have a current certificate from a First Aid and CPR course for infants and children.  Information on one source of CPR and First Aid training is included in this packet. 
  • A medical exam and evidence of current immunizations is required. The required forms are included in the license application. 
  • You and all members of your household over the age of 14 must have a CORI (Criminal Records background check).  The required forms are included in the license application. 

Important information about the Orientation:

  • You must attend a PPM before you register for the orientation. You must bring to the orientation the PPM certificate and the license packet that you received from EEC.
  • You must send us the attached registration form and $15 payment to register.  We will not register you if payment is not received.  Space is limited.  We will call you immediately if you register for a session that is already full.
  • Payments are non-refundable except when CCCB cancels the orientation.
  • Please arrive by 9:45.  The orientation starts promptly at 10:00.  No one will be admitted after 10:15.  No exceptions.
  • Certificates will not be given to anyone who leaves early.
  • Parking is extremely difficult and expensive near our building.  We strongly recommend that you come by T.  The closest stops are: Red Line - Downtown Crossing, Orange Line - Chinatown, Green Line - Boylston, and the Silver Line Bus also stops close by at the corner of Washington and Essex Streets.

We do not have space for children or non-registered guests and

family members at the Orientation.

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