How to Start a Daycare in New Hampshire (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a daycare in New Hampshire requires a license from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU). The CCLU licenses all childcare programs serving children from multiple families, from home-based family programs to large childcare centers. The licensing process is thorough: expect background checks for all staff, a site inspection, zoning verification, and fire safety compliance before your doors open. This guide covers the license types, staff qualifications, child-to-staff ratios, and the step-by-step application process.

Daycare Requirements in New Hampshire at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Child care facility license (DHHS CCLU)	NH DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit	Contact CCLU for current fee schedule	Before operating; license inspection required
LLC formation	NH Secretary of State	$100-$102	1-3 business days online
Annual LLC report	NH Secretary of State	$100/year (due April 1)	Annual
Criminal background check (fingerprint)	NH Dept of Safety	Fee set by Dept of Safety	All staff; before working with children
Out-of-state abuse/neglect registry check	CCLU (coordinates with other states)	Included with license application	Required for those who lived out-of-state in past 5 years
Pediatric first aid + CPR certification	Accredited training provider	$50-$120 per person	All staff; keep current
Zoning verification	Local planning / zoning office	Varies ($0-$50)	Before submitting license application
Fire safety compliance report	Local fire department	Varies ($0-$100+)	Before license inspection
Workers’ compensation insurance	Private carrier	Varies by payroll	Before hiring any employee
General liability insurance	Private carrier	$1,500-$4,000/year	Before operating

How to Start a Daycare in New Hampshire (Step by Step)

Step 1: Choose Your License Type

New Hampshire licenses several types of childcare programs through the CCLU. Choose the type that matches your planned program:

Family Child Care Home: Care in a home setting for up to 6 preschool-age children at one time (plus school-age children before/after school)
Family Group Child Care Home: Care for 7-12 preschool-age children with multiple providers in a home setting
Group Child Care Center: Center-based care for children ages 3-6; requires commercial or dedicated facility; subject to He-C 4002 rules
Infant/Toddler Program: Center-based care specifically for 5 or more children under age 3
Preschool Program: Structured early education program for children age 3+ (up to 5 hours per day)
School-Age Child Care Program: Before and after school care for school-age children

Contact the CCLU early in your planning process to confirm which license type applies to your program: (603) 271-9025 or visit dhhs.nh.gov/child-care-licensing.

Step 2: Register Your Business Entity

Form an LLC with the NH Secretary of State at quickstart.sos.nh.gov. Formation fee: $100-$102. Annual report: $100, due April 1 each year.

Childcare businesses face significant liability exposure – accidents, injuries, and abuse allegations can all result in lawsuits. An LLC is essential for protecting your personal assets.

Step 3: Verify Zoning and Prepare Your Facility

Before investing in a location, verify that childcare is permitted under local zoning rules:

Contact your local planning or zoning office and request a written zoning verification
Family home programs may face neighbor objections or HOA restrictions – check these too
Centers require facilities that meet NH building code requirements for childcare occupancy
Outdoor play space is required for most programs – minimum 75 sq. ft. per child for centers
Indoor space requirements: typically 35 sq. ft. per child (usable floor space, excluding bathrooms, storage, corridors)

Step 4: Complete Background Checks for All Personnel

All individuals who work at your childcare program must complete a thorough background screening:

Fingerprint-based criminal background check through the NH Department of Safety
NH abuse/neglect registry check through DCYF (Division for Children, Youth and Families)
Out-of-state abuse/neglect registry checks for anyone who lived outside NH in the past 5 years – coordinated through the CCLU
Background checks apply to: owners, directors, teachers, teacher assistants, kitchen staff, volunteers, and anyone with regular unsupervised access to children
Disqualifying offenses include convictions for crimes against children, sexual offenses, and certain violent crimes

Initiate background checks early – they can take 4-8 weeks to complete.

Step 5: Meet Staff Qualification Requirements

NH has specific qualification requirements for childcare directors and teachers:

Family child care providers must be:

At least 21 years old; OR
18+ with a high school diploma/GED AND either a two-year childcare curriculum or 6 college credits in child development

Group child care center directors must have:

High school diploma
3 college credits in child development AND 3 credits in management/supervision
1,500 hours of documented experience working with children
An associate’s degree or additional early childhood credentials

School-age program directors must have:

An associate’s degree in child development or education; OR
Equivalent experience totaling 2,000 hours working with children

All staff must maintain current pediatric first aid and CPR certification. Directors must complete documented professional development hours.

Step 6: Meet Child-to-Staff Ratios

NH sets minimum child-to-staff ratios that must be maintained at all times. For group child care centers:

Ages 36-47 months: 1 teacher per 8 children (maximum group size: 24)
Ages 48-59 months: 1 teacher per 12 children (maximum group size: 24)
Ages 60 months and older: 1 teacher per 15 children (maximum group size: 30)

For infant/toddler programs:

Under 12 months: 1 teacher per 4 infants
12-23 months: 1 teacher per 5 toddlers
24-35 months: 1 teacher per 6 children

Step 7: Submit Your CCLU Application and Pass Site Inspection

Submit your complete application packet to the NH DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit. The packet must include:

Completed application form
Health forms and immunization records for all children (for existing programs)
Zoning verification letter
Fire safety compliance report from local fire department
Personnel documentation (qualifications, background check results, CPR/first aid certificates)
Written program policies (discipline policy, health policy, emergency procedures)
Floor plan of facility

After reviewing your packet, a CCLU licensing coordinator will schedule a site inspection. Address all deficiencies before your planned opening date. Allow 60-90 days from application submission to license issuance for a new program.

Cost to Start a Daycare in New Hampshire

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation (Secretary of State)	$100-$102	One-time
Annual LLC report	$100/year	Due April 1
CCLU license application fee	Contact CCLU for current fee	Annual; varies by program type
Background checks (per person)	$25-$75+	All personnel; state-set fee
Pediatric first aid + CPR (per person)	$50-$120	All staff; keep current
Fire safety inspection	$0-$100+	Local fire department
General liability insurance	$1,500-$4,000/year	Annual; childcare-specific policy
Workers’ compensation (if employees)	Varies by payroll	Required for any employees
Facility improvements / equipment	$2,000-$20,000+	Furniture, toys, safety equipment
Director/staff training and credentials	$500-$3,000	College credits, certifications
Year 1 Total (home-based, solo)	~$4,000-$8,000	Excludes facility build-out
Year 1 Total (childcare center)	~$15,000-$50,000+	Includes facility build-out and staff

Estimated total startup cost: $4,000-$8,000 (home-based) or $15,000-$50,000+ (center)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to start a daycare in New Hampshire?

You need a childcare license from the NH DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU). The license type depends on your program: family child care home (up to 6 children), family group home (7-12 children), group child care center, infant/toddler program, preschool, or school-age program. Contact the CCLU at (603) 271-9025 for your specific license type and fee schedule.

How long does it take to get a childcare license in New Hampshire?

Plan for 60-90 days from application submission to license issuance for a new program. The process involves submitting a complete application packet, completing background checks for all personnel (which can take 4-8 weeks), a facility fire safety inspection, and a CCLU site inspection. Starting the process early – before you finalize a lease or invest in build-out – is strongly recommended.

What staff ratios are required in New Hampshire childcare centers?

For group child care centers: 1 teacher per 8 children (ages 36-47 months, max group 24); 1 teacher per 12 children (ages 48-59 months, max group 24); 1 teacher per 15 children (ages 60+ months, max group 30). For infant/toddler programs: 1:4 (under 12 months), 1:5 (12-23 months), 1:6 (24-35 months).

Who must pass a background check to work at a NH daycare?

All personnel with regular access to children must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the NH Department of Safety, plus an NH abuse/neglect registry check. This includes owners, directors, teachers, assistants, kitchen workers, and regular volunteers. Anyone who lived outside NH in the past 5 years also needs an out-of-state abuse/neglect registry check coordinated through the CCLU.

Does New Hampshire require childcare centers to have insurance?

CCLU licensing rules require general liability insurance for licensed childcare programs. The minimum coverage amounts vary by program type – contact the CCLU for current requirements. In addition, NH RSA 281-A:5 requires workers’ compensation for any childcare business that employs any workers. Both coverages should be in place before your site inspection.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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