The Bureau of Child Care Licensing ensures that children attending NH child care programs are in safe and healthy environments and are provided with care, supervision and developmentally appropriate activities that meet each child's physical and emotional needs.

BCCL accomplishes this through on-site evaluations, monitoring, and investigations that ensure compliance with applicable NH Statutes and Administrative Rules, approval and issuance of licenses, and initiation of appropriate disciplinary action when necessary for compliance and the protection of children.

BCCL also provides consultation and technical assistance to help understand licensing regulations to existing licensed child care providers and persons who might consider applying for a child care program license.

BCCL licenses seven categories of child care programs:  Family Child Care Homes, Family Group Child Care Homes, Group Child Care Centers, Child Care Nurseries, School Age Program, Night Care Programs, and Residential Child Care Programs.

The Child Development Bureau maintains contracts with a variety of agencies to provide resource and referral services for child care in the agency's community.  Parents use the Resource and Referral Agencies to obtain lists of child care providers, including those licensed by the Bureau of Child Care Licensing.