The foundation for a child’s lifetime of learning is built from birth to age 5. By the time they reach kindergarten, there are certain expectations about the skills they should possess.  But what happens when they come in not knowing what they are supposed to know?  Early education and kindergarten teachers say the gaps among […]

The Executive Council met for the first time since the midterm elections on Tuesday and approved a million-dollar childcare contract with no debate.  The vote amends an existing contract between the Department of Health and Human Services and MTX, owner of software company Salesforce, for technological support and services for the New Hampshire Connections Information […]

A new report from the Carsey School of Public Policy examines the barriers preventing non-English-speaking childcare providers and families from accessing childcare systems and resources, and what the other 49 states and Washington, D.C., have done to remove those barriers.  The process for figuring out childcare can be complicated. In addition to finding an affordable […]

For years, New Hampshire’s Executive Council has been controlled by Republicans with a 4-1 majority, election after election. However, that changed Tuesday. The “blue wave” that brought Democrats big wins in Congress and the state Legislature also flowed to the Executive Council. That 4-1 Republican majority council is set to become a 5-0 Democratically controlled […]

With Election Day less than two weeks away, incumbent New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic nominee Cinde Warmington on Thursday pitched childcare providers on why they are the best candidate to improve childcare. During a forum hosted by Early Learning New Hampshire and Save the Children Action Network, candidates were given the opportunity to […]

The New Hampshire Child Care Advisory Council is reducing the number of its scheduled meetings ahead of a new legislative session and another budget year.  The council was legislatively enacted in 1995 and serves as the official advisory body for childcare matters in New Hampshire. The council’s role is to inform and advise the Department […]

Throughout campaigns in New Hampshire and all over the country, candidates have made affordability a key focus as the cost of living rises. In New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, both Republican nominee Anthony DiLorenzo and Democratic nominee Stefany Shaheen say rising childcare costs are impacting families. Plans from the two candidates on how to address […]

Madison Fisher, a social worker and mom of four, decided she wanted to start a childcare program after she got custody of her young niece. With children ranging from infant to elementary age, she wanted somewhere everyone could be cared for in one place, instead of all over town.  “I had two of my kiddos […]

This week, two surveys that will help assess what New Hampshire parents pay for children to attend early care and education programs and what those programs spend providing care will open.  The Market Rate Survey and the Narrow Cost Analysis “help illustrate what it really takes to provide childcare in New Hampshire,” according to the […]

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is drafting a plan to pay stay-at-home parents using funds currently aimed at helping working parents with childcare costs. While the rule change has not been proposed yet, New Hampshire childcare providers and family advocates worry about its impact.  The proposal would change […]