New Hampshire Child Care Costs Rose 32% Since 2017
Higher costs and fewer providers are affecting family budgets and workforce participation across New Hampshire.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Child Care
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New Hampshire families faced a 32% increase in center-based child care costs for infants and four-year-olds between 2017 and 2025. As of July 2026, the state scholarship program supported 5,851 children, even as capacity constraints and funding shifts created economic pressure.
Why it matters
The decline of 120 licensed child care programs has reduced available slots, leading to household income losses and decreased workforce participation. This scarcity impacts family logistics as parents struggle to find care while managing rising service prices.
From 2017 to 2025, the number of licensed child care programs in New Hampshire fell by 120 units, while state funding for the scholarship program dropped 2% between SFY 2023 and SFY 2026. This contraction contributed to an estimated $122 million to $190 million in lost family income in 2025.
The players
New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program
A state-managed initiative that provides financial assistance to eligible families, funded partially through federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grants.
The details
Shortages of child care slots occur as providers close or limit operations, creating a bottleneck that restricts parents from re-entering or maintaining consistent employment. The state relies on federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to bridge gaps in the scholarship program, though federal guidance limits total allocation amounts. Consequently, the limited availability of slots directly constrains enrollment growth, regardless of the number of families seeking aid.
Timeline
2017-2025: Child care prices increased 32% and provider counts declined by 120 programs.
SFY 2023 - SFY 2026: State funding for the childcare program declined by 2%.
2024: Policymakers implemented revisions to the state scholarship program.
2025: New Hampshire saw an estimated $122 million to $190 million in lost family income.
July 2026: Scholarship program enrollment reached 5,851 children.
The Home Front
New Hampshire's child care landscape reflects broader trends where reliance on the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program restricts state-level flexibility. This funding structure currently caps growth, mirroring a wider national pattern of shifting childcare availability.
Families should regularly audit their local child care waitlists and verify their eligibility for the latest state scholarship program revisions. Consult with your household financial planner to assess how current childcare costs compare to your projected budget for the next fiscal year.
The takeaway
The intersection of rising costs and provider shortages remains a significant hurdle for New Hampshire households managing employment and family care. Track changes to scholarship eligibility requirements and maintain a list of multiple licensed providers as backup options for your family logistics.
Further reading
For more information on finding local programs or applying for state support, visit Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NH Business Review.
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