New Hampshire childcare licensing is administered by the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration within DHHS. Programs serving 4 or more children must be licensed. HB 1665 (2026) added a new "Simplified Licensing" track for high-quality providers with 5+ consecutive years of clean inspections, reducing paperwork requirements.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| 2 years | 1:6 | 12 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:8 | 16 |
| School age | 1:15 | 30 |
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per NH immunization schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required within 30 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required for group lead teachers.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact DHHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by NH DHHS Bureau of Child Development.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact NH DHHS Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DHHS for current fee schedule.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
See exactly what's missing for every child. Compliance checklists, automated parent reminders, phone document scanning. $99/month, unlimited staff.