City Of Boston Childcare Survey
Your voice matters. Share your experiences with childcare, before and after-school programs, and public spaces in Boston. The survey takes less than 20 minutes, is available in seven different languages, and all responses are confidential. Take the survey by December 30, 2025.
About the survey
Since 2019, the City of Boston has led the way with a first-in-the-nation better understanding the needs of families with young children. Each year, the City of Boston Childcare Survey invites parents and guardians to share their experiences with early education and city resources for children. By participating, families help us learn what types of care work best for them, what challenges (cost, location, availability, etc) they face, and how the City of Boston can better support their needs.
The feedback we receive directly informs policies and programs that are designed to ensure every child and family in Boston has access to the care and resources they deserve.
Our Reports
Help Shape the Future of Early Childhood in Boston
What the Annual Childcare Survey is and why it matters
Annual Childcare Survey One-Pager
A City For Families: Addressing the Child Care Gaps in Boston
Findings from the Supply and Demand of child care in 2024.
Findings from the Supply and Demand of child care in 2024.
Making Childcare Work
Findings from our 2019 survey.
Too Much and Not Enough
The 2020 report on childcare needs during COVID-19.
Who's involved
Office of Early Childhood
The Office of Early Childhood is committed to universal, affordable, high-quality early education and care for all infants, toddlers, and children under eight.
Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT)
DoIt helps develop the Childcare Survey and assists with the analysis of the collected data.
Women's Advancement
We promote gender equity by empowering women and removing systemic barriers.
Election Department
We direct all municipal, state, and federal elections within Boston.
Neighborhood Services
Our staff attends community meetings and helps residents with City services.
Our Initiatives
Great Starts
We’re helping parents find which schools are the best fit for their child.
Boston Pre-K
Boston Pre-K (previously UPK) is a free, high-quality, public pre-kindergarten program for Boston families, administered by Boston Public Schools.
Bike Towns in Boston
Many Boston families do not have safe places to learn and practice riding bikes. We are creating safe places for kids to develop the skill of bikeriding.
Family Child Care (FCC) Licensing Support Program
We are expanding access to high quality early childcare by helping individuals plan how to successfully open an FCC business in Boston.