In 2024, New Hampshire legislators passed SB404, directing the state’s Department of Health and Human Services Division of Economic Stability to establish a pilot program to provide child care assistance for the child care workforce. The legislature appropriated $2.3 million to administer and manage the program, which began on January 1, 2025 and will formally end June 30, 2027. However, participating educators will receive child care assistance for only six months. The remainder of the program will be spent determining whether the assistance benefit for child care professionals produced a positive outcome for the child care workforce.
Under the program, child care providers in households earning up to 100% of the state’s median income will have their child care costs capped at 7% of their household income. Eligible participants must work in a New Hampshire– based, licensed child care center, licensed home child care center, or license-exempt center that is registered and enrolled with the state of New Hampshire to accept child care scholarships . Educators may apply through New Hampshire’s existing child care scholarship program.
Sources:
New Futures. (2025, January 2). Child Care for Child Care Teachers Pilot Program in Effect.
Legiscan. (2024). Bill Text: New Hampshire Senate Bill 404.
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning, compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.