NH currently has four designations for quality child care.  The following program types continue to meet the increasing standards which are known to improve quality, and to ensure the safety of children and prepare them for success.

Licensed

Licensed programs include child care centers and family child care homes. The Bureau of Child Care Licensing (BCCL) regulates quality based on the following aspects of child care:

• Ratio: The number of children per adult in a home or classroom.
• Group Size:The total number of children in a group setting (i.e. a classroom or home).
• Health:Policies and practices around illness, immunization, nutrition, cleanliness, and preventing the spread of germs.
• Safety: Practices to make sure the environment is safe, both indoors and outdoors. This includes furniture or structures in the environment, it's placement, as well as equipment and toys. Also includes practices around First Aid and Infant and Child CPR training for staff, fire precautions, criminal background checks, releasing children, etc.
• Training, education and experience of the provider: Sees that providers have education and training in child development and other related topics. Providers have experience caring for children in a group setting.

 

Licensed Plus

A new designation in New Hampshire's Quality Rating System. It means that a child care provider has implemented practices into their program above and beyond required licensing standards, but is not accredited. However, programs who are Licensed Plus may be in the process of becoming accredited.  Licensed Plus helps families evaluate their choices of quality child care.

To learn more visit Licensed Plus

Accreditation

Accredited programs have gone through a process of self-study and outside evaluation and have met higher standards of quality child care.  

National accrediting associations include:

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)- accredited child care centers.
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), - accredits providers who are caring for children in the provider's own home.
• National Afterschool Association (NAA) accredits programs that provides care when school-age children are not in school.

 

License Exempt

License Exempt providers may care for up to 3 unrelated children in addition to their own children. They are not licensed or regulated. If they are caring for a child who is receiving  state scholarship they are required to have a criminal background check. License Exempt providers who are linked to their Child Care Resource and Referral Agency have met additional requirements to be listed for referral.