Only child care providers enrolled with DHHS may receive child care scholarship reimbursement for eligible families.   DHHS enrolls 3 types of child care providers:

• Contract child care providers;

• Licensed providers (centers or family homes); and

• License-exempt providers.

Child care providers must meet the following requirements:

• Be 16 years of age or older;

• Not be a parent of the child; and

• Not be living in the same home as the child.

Contract child care centers enter into written agreements with DHHS.  Contract child care centers determine initial eligibility for scholarship assistance (financial assistance for help with child care payments for eligible families) and also re-determine eligibility when required under the terms of the written agreement with DHHS.  These facilities are licensed by the Bureau of Child Care Licensing (BCCL). 

A licensed child care provider, either a center or a home based provider, receives licensing approval from the Bureau of Child Care Licensing (BCCL) to operate a child care program.  Application is made to BCCL by the child care center or home based provider and inspections are performed by the local fire, zoning and health departments, and BCCL.  Licensed providers must re-apply for licensure every 3 years from BCCL and undergo annual inspections.

A child care provider who operates in a private home is not required to have a license if the number of children cared for includes no more than 3 additional children, other than the provider's own children, for any part of the day but less than 24 hours.  License-exempt providers are paid a lower reimbursement rate than licensed providers for child care services. 

The most common reason for lack of payment is that a provider and a child are not linked together in the DHHS computer system.  Without this link between provider and child, the computer does not recognize you as the child care provider for this child and rejects your bills for this child.

The second most common error is that the parent is not an open case and eligible for child care services.  If the parent is not authorized to receive child care services with reimbursement, then the bills reject and the provider cannot receive payment. 

It is important that a DHHS District Office be notified promptly to ensure all information is current and up-to-date.  Sometimes a very simple error on the billing form causes the payment to reject, so it is always a good idea to double check identification numbers and name spellings.  If you are unsure, please call a DHHS District Office for assistance.

No, you only need to fill out Child Care Provider Verification Form 253 to link you to the child in the computer system.  Without this, the system will not recognize that you are caring for this child and will not allow payment to you for child care services.  The Form 253 is usually given to the parent when the parent applies for child care payments or has reported a change in providers.  If the parent does not have this form, an electronic copy may be printed using the link above or a paper copy may be obtained from a DHHS District Office.  Please make sure this form has been submitted prior to sending an invoice for child care services.

For timely payment, submit Child Care Payment Request Invoice Form 250 once a week.  Please make sure that you bill for only ONE child per form per week.  You cannot bill in advance of the service.  Please follow the Monday through Sunday format outlined on the billing form. 

An electronic copy of Form 250 may be printed using the link above or a paper copy may be obtained from a DHHS District Office.  For larger child care facilities that use a large number of these forms, a supply of forms may be requested by calling the Logistics Unit at 603-271-4380 or by sending a written request to the Logistics Unit at 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

Credentialing is a voluntary process that began in 1999 that provides early childhood professionals with an opportunity to rise through a career lattice.  This system takes into account the years an individual works with children, any education an individual obtains, and professional memberships and activities.  Several levels are available including Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Director and Trainer, Mentor and Faculty.  There are 4 steps of expertise within each level.  An application must be completed.  You may obtain a book detailing the process from the Child Development Bureau.  Upon completion of the process, a certificate of credential is awarded to an individual.  Credentials must be renewed every 3 years.

The Child Development Bureau contracts with several agencies to provide resource and referral services for child care in their communities.  Parents  use these agencies to obtain lists of child care providers who ask to have their names made available to families seeking child care.  All types of child care for all ages of children are represented including accredited licensed child care, licensed center based care, licensed family homes and license-exempt family homes.  The R&R agencies can also assist families with related information needs and to find the best care for their child.  Families are encouraged to visit several settings to find the best quality care.  It is the family's responsibility to evaluate all aspects of any child care program they choose for their child.  Go to the Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies or contact the Child Development Bureau to find the R&R agency closest to you.