Parents / Caregivers in Greater Springfield, MA

Stronger systems. Brighter futures.

We're here to help you take the next step.

Raising a child takes love, time, and support. Navigating early childhood services can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming.


We've built clearer, more connected systems that make it easier for families to find the proper support when they need it. Whether you're looking for help with development, learning, or community programs, we're working to make the path forward easier to understand and access.


What You Can Expect:

  • Clarity about your child's early learning options
  • Guidance to help you make confident decisions
  • Connection to services, support, and answers
  • Care that reflects the needs of every family in Springfield


Support, every step of the way!

Because strong foundations lead to lifelong success.

PARENTS

Caregivers

Child Care Enrollment Options for Families in Springfield, MA

Child Care Enrollment Options for Springfield Families

Parents have various options for childcare enrollment, including free or low-cost childcare programs, private pay, and voucher programs.  This includes options like child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age care.


The Department of Early Education & Care offers financial assistance to eligible families in the form of a subsidy.  EEC will pay for a portion of a family’s childcare expense based off of their household size and income. Due to limited funding, there is a waitlist at this time.

Local support to locate child care and apply for subsidies
  • The Springfield Parent Connections
    The Springfield Parent Connections service offers a comprehensive guide for finding childcare centers, ensuring families receive the support they need.
    Learn More
  • Kinderwait Waiting List (211Mass)
    Mass211 is able to screen families for eligibility and place them on the statewide centralized waitlist directly over the phone.  For convenience, there is also an application made available online that can be submitted at any time.  A Child Care Subsidy may be available to eligible children ages prenatal to age 13yo (16yo if the child has a diagnosed special need).

    Mass211 can also help families identify and locate childcare programs in their area. To do so, parents are asked a series of questions in order to best assess the family’s needs.

    Families can speak with any one of our Child Care Specialists to learn more and or ask detailed questions about the process and eligibility by dialing 2-1-1 and using extension 23.
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  • Early Education and Care Income Eligibility Table
    Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Department of Early Education and Care Income Eligibility Table
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Child Care Enrollment in Springfield MA

Explore child care subsidies, waitlist support, and local program referrals available to Springfield, MA residents.

high quality early education and care

High-quality early education and care in Massachusetts (MA) is characterized by a commitment to continuous quality improvement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strong adult-child interactions.

High quality early education and care in Massachusetts (MA)

Programs are expected to focus on six key domains of program quality, which include:

Leadership and Professional Learning
Establishing a program structure that provides ongoing supervision, opportunities for educators to access planning time, collaborate, and reflect to deepen their knowledge and skills.
Physical Environment
Intentionally designed and arranged indoor and outdoor spaces, equipment, and materials that support children's learning and development.
Curriculum
Learning objectives, content, and teaching strategies that support the growth of young children.
Assessment
Gathering information about a child's progress and development to provide appropriate support.
Positive Relationships with Adults
Crucial for children's learning and development, providing support, simulation, and guidance to help children grow academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally.
Creating a Nurturing
Environment: Promoting children's overall well-being and enabling them to reach their full potential. These elements are essential for ensuring that high-quality early education and care is available and accessible to all families and children in Massachusetts.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Registration for Springfield residents can be done either in person at the Student Assignment Services Center, located at 91 School St. Springfield, MA or online through the Springfield Public Schools website. Registration documents are required to complete a kindergarten registration.

  • Home City Families
    Springfield Public Schools HOME CITY FAMILIES, the Springfield Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant funded by the Department of Early Education and Care, offers a network of information, support and programming for families in Springfield. We provide free parent workshops, parent and child playgroups and family literacy activities throughout the city. Home City Families also provides information and referrals to connect families to resources throughout the community including Early Childhood Education programs and services. Our programs include Family Playgroups, Ready! for Kindergarten, New Baby Outreach Home Visits, and more!
    Learn More
  • Kindergarten Registration for Springfield Public Schools
    Kindergarten Registration for Springfield residents can be done either in person at the Student Assignment Services Center (located at 91 School St. Springfield, MA 01109) or online through the Springfield Public Schools website. Registration documents are required to complete a kindergarten registration
    Learn More

Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health provides free and low-cost mental health resources for people in Western Massachusetts. Some programs are income-based, while others are need-based; the DMH offers resources in Springfield and the surrounding areas.

  • The Department of Mental Health
    The Department of Mental Health provides free and low-cost mental health resources for people in Western Massachusetts. Some programs are income-based, while others are need-based; the DMH offers resources in Springfield and the surrounding areas. Call 1-(877) 382-1609
    Learn More

Crisis

A crisis is any situation in which a person's behavior puts them at risk of hurting. themselves or others and/or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function within their community.

  • Postpartum Support Hotline
    Postpartum Support Hotline: Call 800-944-4773, or for Spanish text 971-203-7773 Offers support for families experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
    Learn More
  • Crisis Centers in Western MA
    All your local crisis line. Provides crisis and non-crisis peer support by trans people, for trans and questioning peers.
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  • MA Behavioral Health Help Line
    MA Behavioral Health Help Line - Call or Text 833-773-2445, or Chat Online Connect directly to clinical help, when and where you need it.
    Learn More
  • National Lifeline network
    Call or text 988 Trained counselors are available 24/7 to help with life’s challenges and can help connect you to local resources.
    Learn More

Crisis Centers in Western MA

Community Behavioral Health Centers provide timely access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment on an urgent and ongoing basis.


Call your local crisis line. Provides crisis and non-crisis peer support by trans people, for trans and questioning peers.

  • Hampden County CBHC
    Greater Springfield and Westfield Community Behavioral Health Center
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  • Franklin & Hampshire Counties CBHC
    Franklin & Hampshire Counties Community Behavioral Health Center
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  • Community Behavioral Health Centers
    Community Behavioral Health Centers provide timely access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment on an urgent and ongoing basis.

    The statewide network of CBHCs includes centers across Massachusetts that offer immediate, confidential care for mental health and substance use needs.

    Crisis services are available around the clock for anyone in Massachusetts who feels they may be experiencing a mental health crisis, whether or not they have health insurance.
    Learn More
  • Berkshire County CBHC
    Berkshire County Community Behavioral Health Center
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  • Hampden County CBHC
    Greater Chicopee/Holyoke Community Behavioral Health Center
    Learn More

Early Childhood Education & Care

Parents/Guardians with child development concerns can go in person to the Student Assignment Services Center ( located at 91 School St. Springfield, MA 01109) to request a special education evaluation for their child. 


A referral is then submitted to the school district for a special education evaluation. The school district will then seek parental consent to conduct the evaluation. Once the consent is received, the school district will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if the child has a disability and requires special education services.


If the child is found eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed to outline the specific services needed.

Child Developmental Milestones
  • Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
    An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a written plan for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities and qualify for early intervention services. It lays out the child’s current levels of development, the goals or outcomes for the child and family, and the specific services and supports that will be provided, including where and how often they will occur.
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  • The Department of Early Childhood Education & Care
    The Department of Early Childhood Education & Care offers child development guidance for families.
    Learn More
  • Ages & Stages Questionnaires
    Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) provides reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6.

    Drawing on parents’ expert knowledge, ASQ has been specifically designed to pinpoint developmental progress and catch delays in young children—paving the way for meaningful next steps in learning, intervention, or monitoring.
    Learn More
  • Early Intervention/Special Education
    Massachusetts Early Intervention (EI) is a program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.
    Learn More
Early Intervention

To start the early intervention process in Springfield, MA, contact a local provider like Thom Child & Family Services or the Behavioral Health Network (BHN), or call the state's EI Division. You can find local support providers in the Western Massachusetts region as well. Children from birth to age three are eligible if they have developmental delays or are at risk of delays due to certain health or environmental factors. After a referral is made, a team will conduct an evaluation to determine eligibility and develop a family-centered plan, called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), to help the child thrive. 

  • EI, special needs, speech, IEP process
    Navigating Child Development Concerns (EI, special needs, speech, IEPprocess).

    Parents/Guardians with child development concerns can go in person to the Student Assignment Services Center ( located at 91 School St. Springfield, MA 01109) to request a special education evaluation for their child.

    A referral is then submitted to the school district for a special education evaluation. The school district will then seek parental consent to conduct the evaluation.

    Once the consent is received, the school district will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if the child has a disability and requires special education services.

    If the child is found eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed to outline the specific services needed.
    Learn More

Resources

Resources for Springfield parents and caregivers, including kindergarten registration, mental health support, developmental milestone screening (ASQ), Learn the Signs. Act Early, and child health and safety.