Massachusetts emerges as a national leader in child care access, but accessibility issues remain

Massachusetts has added over 45,000 child care seats since 2021 through programs like Commonwealth Cares for Children and Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, reducing child care deserts from over half to one-fifth of children. However, high costs remain a barrier, with 70% of infants and 43% of toddlers still living in deserts due to supply-demand gaps and regulatory challenges.