Help Paying for Preschool in Massachusetts (2026)

Preschool is expensive, but Massachusetts families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.

Head Start & Early Head Start in Massachusetts

Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in Massachusetts (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a Massachusetts program →

Public pre-K in Massachusetts

Massachusetts's public pre-K, Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI), is income- or risk-based (roughly age 2y9m to the local kindergarten age; grant-funded in participating districts, not a statewide entitlement). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official Massachusetts program info →

Childcare subsidy in Massachusetts

Separate from preschool programs, Massachusetts's childcare subsidy — Child Care Financial Assistance (Income-Eligible) — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to at or below 50% of the state median income at initial eligibility — measured against your state's median income, a higher ceiling than the federal poverty line. May continue until income exceeds 85% SMI; apply via a local Child Care Resource & Referral agency. Apply or learn more →

Preschools in Massachusetts

See also: when your child can start school in Massachusetts · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.

← Preschool assistance in other states