Massachusetts Childcare Licensing
Massachusetts Childcare Square Footage Requirements (2026)
Indoor activity space is a measured Massachusetts licensing requirement: a center's licensed capacity is capped by the usable indoor square footage available per child. Group child care programs must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child; family child care homes must provide at least 150 sq ft of approved activity space for 1-2 children, 225 sq ft for 3-6 children, and 35 sq ft per child for 7-10 children, and all programs must maintain an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child outside at any one time (606 CMR 7.07).
Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMassachusetts Square Footage Requirements: The Specifics
Group child care programs must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child
606 CMR 7.07
family child care homes must provide at least 150 sq ft of approved activity space for 1-2 children, 225 sq ft for 3-6 children, and 35 sq ft per child for 7-10 children, and all programs must maintain an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child outside at any one time (606 CMR 7.07).
606 CMR 7.07
A single family child care educator may care for up to 6 children, with no more than 3 children younger than two years old (including at least one toddler who is walking independently)
including at least one toddler who is walking independently
with an approved assistant, a large family child care home may care for up to 10 children, with no more than 6 younger than two years old and no more than 3 infants (606 CMR 7.10(4)(d)
606 CMR 7.10(4)(d)
Massachusetts sets maximum group sizes by age for large group child care: infants (up to 15 months) 7
up to 15 months
toddlers (15-33 months) 9
15-33 months
preschoolers (33 months to school age) 20 full-day / 24 half-day
33 months to school age
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Massachusetts Square Footage Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How much indoor space per child does Massachusetts require?
Group child care programs must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child; family child care homes must provide at least 150 sq ft of approved activity space for 1-2 children, 225 sq ft for 3-6 children, and 35 sq ft per child for 7-10 children, and all programs must maintain an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child outside at any one time (606 CMR 7.07).
Does Massachusetts require outdoor play space too?
Group child care programs must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child; family child care homes must provide at least 150 sq ft of approved activity space for 1-2 children, 225 sq ft for 3-6 children, and 35 sq ft per child for 7-10 children, and all programs must maintain an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child outside at any one time (606 CMR 7.07).
What space is excluded when calculating capacity in Massachusetts?
Most states exclude hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, offices, and storage from the usable indoor activity space used to compute capacity. Confirm the exact exclusions in the cited Massachusetts rule above.
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.