Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!

Innovation Name Innovation Type Innovation Subtype Features at a Glance Strategy Summary
Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program Workforce Apprenticeships

State-funded 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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Demographics Link copied!

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 age 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

2.7% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022

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

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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%)
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Political Landscape Link copied!

Year20232022202120202019
GovernorRRRRR
HouseRRRDD
SenateRRRDD
Source: Ballotpedia 2023

Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

Public pre-K program name

N/A Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or targeted pre-K policy

N/A Source: NIEER 2023

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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (0%)
  • 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (4%)
  • Other/none (96%)
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (0%)
  • 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (4%)
  • Other/none (96%)
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Workforce Link copied!

2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

Role

  • Child care workers
  • Preschool teachers
  • Preschool or child care center directors
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Funding Sources Link copied!

Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2022

Funding source

  • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($20.5)
  • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($21.3)
  • CCDBG State Match ($4.3)
  • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization) ($104.3)
  • MIECHV ($3.0)
  • IDEA Part C ($3.6)
  • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($2.4)
  • TANF Early Learning and Care Expenditures ($4.6)
  • Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five ($11.6)
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Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The COVID Funding Cliff

All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including more than 11,000 children in New Hampshire.