The Couch Family Foundation is committed to making significant investments in New Hampshire-focused early care and education (ECE) research to help shape and build the pivotal knowledge base needed to improve policy and practice in the Granite State.
Here’s important research that we have supported.
“Between 2022 and 2024, tuition for an infant and four-year-old in center-based care in New Hampshire averaged nearly $30,000 annually.”
New Hampshire’s ongoing early care and education (ECE) shortage is characterized by high tuition costs to families, low wages for ECE professionals, limited (if any) profits for providers, and adverse financial impacts for Granite State families, businesses, and economy.
“In fall 2024, 4,348 children were enrolled in the Child Care Scholarship Program, about 7 to 8 percent of those who are eligible, although this number has been steadily rising.”
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Granite Guide to Early Childhood series highlights issues surrounding early care and education in New Hampshire by synthesizing evidence on a set of interconnected topics. This primer focuses on New Hampshire's Child Care Scholarship Program.
“Between July 2017 and October 2024, licensed capacity among child care providers serving children under five dropped by nearly 13 percent in the Granite State.”
A new study from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute found that in 2023, New Hampshire businesses were losing an estimated $36 to $56 million annually due to the lack of available licensed child care slots.
“Child care expenses are the equivalent of 28 percent of median income among New Hampshire families with one or more children under age 5.”
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Granite Guide to Early Childhood series highlights issues surrounding early care and education in New Hampshire by synthesizing evidence on a set of interconnected topics. This primer focuses on the cost of child care for New Hampshire families.
“Despite their high educational attainment, New Hampshire’s child care workers have low earnings. Census Bureau data used here show the median annual salary among early educators working full-time is $29,185, compared to $58,923 for Granite Staters in other occupations.”
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Granite Guide to Early Childhood series highlights issues surrounding early care and education in New Hampshire by synthesizing evidence on a set of interconnected topics. This primer focuses on New Hampshire’s child care workforce.
“Between 2017 and 2024, New Hampshire’s licensed child care capacity increased by 5.6 percent, while its count of licensed providers shrunk by 13 percent.”
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Granite Guide to Early Childhood series highlights issues surrounding early care and education in New Hampshire by synthesizing evidence on a set of interconnected topics. This primer focuses on New Hampshire’s “supply” of child care.
“Few programs offer full-day and/or full-week programming for enrolled children”
Researchers collected data from all New Hampshire public schools with state-recorded preschool or kindergarten enrollment. Findings reveal that there are 144 preschool programs in public schools, serving 3- and/or 4- year-olds to varying degrees and through various program models.
“The expanded income eligibility means more households should be able to participate in the program.”
Following the expansion of income eligibility in January 2024, New Hampshire's Child Care Scholarship Program experienced a 21.3% increase in enrollment by June 2024. This brief examines how this policy change reversed prior declines in participation and highlights the program's role in improving access to affordable child care.
“About 70 percent of New Hampshire households with a child under age five use some nonparental child care.”
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Granite Guide to Early Childhood series highlights issues surrounding early care and education in New Hampshire by synthesizing evidence on a set of interconnected topics. This primer focuses on New Hampshire families’ “demand” for child care.
“Access to Affordable, High-Quality Child Care Encourages Healthy Development for the Next Generation of Granite Staters.”
A companion piece to the video A Healthy Child Care Industry Helps All Granite Staters, this blog from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute explores the broad economic and social benefits of a strong child care system in New Hampshire, highlighting how investments in early childhood education support families, businesses, and the overall economy.
