Code of Massachusetts Regulations 606 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE
The Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 606 pertains to the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), establishing standards for the licensure and approval of various child care programs in the state. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety, health, and developmental well-being of children in early education settings.
📚 Overview of 606 CMR
The 606 CMR regulations encompass several key areas:
606 CMR 3.00 – Standards for the licensure or approval of residential programs serving children and teen parents.(mass.gov)
606 CMR 5.00 – Standards for the licensure or approval of agencies offering child placement and adoption services.(mass.gov)
606 CMR 7.00 – Standards for the licensure or approval of family child care; small group and school-age; and large group and school-age child care programs.(mass.gov)
606 CMR 10.00 – Child care financial assistance.(mass.gov)
606 CMR 14.00 – Criminal offender and other background record checks.(mass.gov)
606 CMR 15.00 – Early education and out-of-school time capital fund program.(mass.gov)
These regulations are maintained and updated by the EEC to reflect current standards and best practices in early childhood education.(sec.state.ma.us)
🧒 Key Highlights from 606 CMR 7.00
606 CMR 7.00 specifically addresses the licensure and approval of various child care programs, including family child care and group settings. Some notable provisions include:(mass.gov)
Physical Facility Requirements: Programs must meet specific space and safety standards, such as providing a minimum amount of activity space per child and ensuring proper exits and smoke detectors. (law.cornell.edu)
Educator Qualifications and Professional Development: Educators working 20 or more hours per week are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development annually, with at least one-third focusing on diverse learners. (law.cornell.edu)
Administration and Operational Standards: Programs must maintain a written statement of purpose, evidence of authority to operate, and comply with various notification requirements, such as informing the EEC of changes in household composition or the presence of firearms. (law.cornell.edu)
📄 Accessing the Regulations
The full text of the 606 CMR regulations is available through the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries and the EEC's official website. These resources provide comprehensive access to the regulations, including any updates or amendments.
🗓️ Recent Amendments to 606 CMR 10.00
The EEC has proposed amendments to 606 CMR 10.00, which governs child care financial assistance. The proposed changes aim to:(mass.gov)
Expand initial eligibility to families with incomes up to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI).(mass.gov)
Codify priority access for staff working in early education and care programs.(sec.state.ma.us)
Ensure that child care financial assistance does not count as income for purposes of disqualifying families from other state governmental assistance. (sec.state.ma.us)
A public comment period for these proposed amendments was held from February 14 to April 15, 2025.(mass.gov)
RELATED Blog
0 comments