New Hampshire
Overview Link copied!
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| Strategy Name | Strategy Type(s) | Year | Funding Amount | Funding Source | Features at a Glance | |
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Child Care Workforce Assistance Pilot Program
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.
learn more: Child care workforce assistance pilot 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.
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2024 | $2.3 million |
State General Funds
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Pilot program provides child care assistance for the child care workforce
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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.
learn more: Child care workforce assistance pilot 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.
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Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program
In 2017, the Southern New Hampshire Services and Department of Labor Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (ECAP) was established. Combining classroom instruction and work experience, the apprenticeship program hopes to increase the apprentice’s skill level and wages while enhancing the quality of care. ECAP apprentices can obtain a Childcare Development Specialist Certificate from the Department of Labor and the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing and a credential to teach in a child care center. The program lasts 1.5 years, and participants earn college credit through Community College System of New Hampshire or Granite State College.
Learn more: New Hampshire Connections
Sources:
New Hampshire Connections. (n.d.). USDOL Early Childhood Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Southern New Hampshire Services. (n.d.). Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program.
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2017 |
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State-funded program
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In 2017, the Southern New Hampshire Services and Department of Labor Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (ECAP) was established. Combining classroom instruction and work experience, the apprenticeship program hopes to increase the apprentice’s skill level and wages while enhancing the quality of care. ECAP apprentices can obtain a Childcare Development Specialist Certificate from the Department of Labor and the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing and a credential to teach in a child care center. The program lasts 1.5 years, and participants earn college credit through Community College System of New Hampshire or Granite State College.
Learn more: New Hampshire Connections
Sources:
New Hampshire Connections. (n.d.). USDOL Early Childhood Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Southern New Hampshire Services. (n.d.). Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program.
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Demographics Link copied!
Demographics Data Scorecard
State population
1,395,231 Source U.S. Census, 2022
Rural %
41.7% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Urban %
58.3% Source U.S. Census, 2020
Number of children 0–4
62,292 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty
23% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Median family income among households with children
$114,900.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Unemployment rate
2.5% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024
Unemployment rate of parents
3% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force
72% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden
24% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021
Race and Ethnicity
- American Indian and Alaska Native (0.49%)
- Asian (4%)
- Black or African American (3%)
- Hispanic or Latino (7%)
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (0.49%)
- Two or more races (4%)
- White, not Hispanic or Latino (83%)
| Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
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| Governor | R | R | R | R | R |
| State House | R | R | R | D | D |
| State Senate | R | R | R | D | D |
Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!
Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER NIEER, 2023
| Program Name | Program Length* | Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy | State Spending Per Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A Source: NIEER 2023 | N/A Source: NIEER 2023 |
2023 Percent of 3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
- 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (4%)
- Other/None (96%)
2023 Percent of 4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023
Programs
- Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (0%)
- 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (4%)
- Other/None (96%)
Workforce Link copied!
2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020
Role
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Child Care Workers
$11.29 (2017, adjusted)
$11.69 (2019) -
Preschool Teachers
$14.38 (2017, adjusted)
$14.41 (2019) -
Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
$22.25 (2017, adjusted)
$22.18 (2019)
Funding Sources Link copied!
Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024
Funding Source
- Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($21.6)
- CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($30)
- CCDBG State Match ($7.3)
- MIECHV ($3.5)
- IDEA Part C ($2.6)
- IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.7)
- TANF Early Learning and Care ($4.6)
- Preschool Development Grant Birth ($3.9)