Licensed Plus is a quality rating system that recognizes NH child care programs for efforts to improve the quality of care for young children and rewards programs that strive to improve their practices and  staff qualifications.  It also allows families to identify programs with higher quality.   Levels build from a foundation of minimum standards for licensing to full national accreditation. 

 

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

All NH licensed child care programs in good standing are eligible to apply for Licensed Plus, and those programs that are certified by DCYF to serve children in protective and preventive care will be eligible for cash awards.  Programs must also meet the Licensed Plus quality standards.

 

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A LICENSED PLUS PROVIDER

• NH recognizes 3 levels of regulated child care; Licensed, Licensed Plus and Accredited.
• Licensed Plus is the first of what may be additional steps between licensing and accreditation.
• Programs that are certified by DCYF to serve children in protective and preventive care will be eligible for cash awards. 
• Parents will be able to find out about Licensed Plus programs in their communities by accessing the DHHS website or contacting the Child Care Resource and Referral agency in their home communities.
• Licensed Plus providers will receive a certificate and a visual symbol to display in the child care program.
• NH DHHS promotes the Licensed Plus Program via the media, educational/informational opportunities and materials and other available resources.

 

The Licensed Plus Program was developed in collaboration with the Child Development Bureau and is administered by the Bureau of Improvement and Integrity.  A network of child care providers significantly contributed to the development of the program.