Massachusetts Childcare Licensing
Massachusetts Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)
Licensed childcare centers in Massachusetts must collect, complete, and retain specific forms for every enrolled child before care begins. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care requires 7 distinct forms or documents — from enrollment agreements to emergency contacts to immunization records — to remain on file and available for inspection at all times.
Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMassachusetts Required Forms & Documents: The Specifics
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Enrollment Form for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Emergency Contact and Permission Form for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Physical Exam Record for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Immunization Record for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Medication Administration Authorization for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Parent Handbook Acknowledgment for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed CORI Acknowledgment Receipt for every enrolled child (per Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care).
Massachusetts Required Forms & Documents at a Glance
| Child Enrollment Form | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
|---|---|
| Emergency Contact and Permission Form | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
| Physical Exam Record | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
| Immunization Record | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
| Medication Administration Authorization | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
| Parent Handbook Acknowledgment | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
| CORI Acknowledgment Receipt | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care |
Go Deeper
Generate a Massachusetts-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Massachusetts childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Massachusetts Required Forms & Documents: Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Child Enrollment Form; Emergency Contact and Permission Form; Physical Exam Record; Immunization Record; Medication Administration Authorization; Parent Handbook Acknowledgment; CORI Acknowledgment Receipt.
How long must Massachusetts childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?
Massachusetts childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care to confirm the exact retention schedule.
What happens if a Massachusetts center is missing required child forms during an inspection?
Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Massachusetts childcare licensing inspection. Fines up to $1,000/day; license suspension or revocation under MGL c.15D §11
Does TotReady provide templates for Massachusetts required forms?
TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Massachusetts-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.
Massachusetts childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Massachusetts administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.