Updated Nov 1, 2026

New and growing child care in New Hampshire

In the 12 months before Nov 1, 2026, 33 child care programs got a new license from the state. Each week we also compare the state’s list with the week before and note programs that grew: more spots, younger children, a new age group or a higher quality level.

33Newly licensed in the last year
19Of those, take infants
14Reported an opening (last 60 days)
5Changes spotted since Oct 11, 2026

Newly licensed programs

Newest first. A new license usually means a new program, but it can also mean a program moved or changed owners.

Growing programs

What changed on the state’s list from one week to the next, starting Oct 11, 2026. We only list gains.

How we know

New licenses. Before a new program opens, the state inspects it and gives it a short permit (6 to 12 months in the state’s records). After another visit, it gets a full license, which runs about 3 years. We list programs whose first state visit was in the last year, or that are still on that first permit.

Growth. Every week we save the state’s list of licensed programs and compare it with the week before. We note when a program is licensed for more children or for younger children, adds an age group to its license or moves up a level in Granite Steps for Quality. We leave out drops: when a number dips for one week, it’s often a slip in the state’s data, not a real change.

Always confirm with the program. Where the data comes from

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Questions

Are new daycares opening in New Hampshire?

Yes. 33 child care programs got a new license from the state in the 12 months before Nov 1, 2026: 28 centers and 5 home-based programs. Together they’re licensed for 1,846 children. 19 of them take infants.

Do new daycares have openings?

Some do. 14 of the 33 newly licensed programs reported an open spot to the state in the 60 days before Nov 1, 2026. A new program may still be filling its rooms, so it’s worth a call even if it hasn’t reported an opening.

How can I tell if a daycare is newly licensed?

Its page here says “Newly licensed” near the top and shows when. Among its state inspection visits, look for a “Visit for a new program”. New programs also start on a short permit, so a license that runs less than a year is another sign.

From NH Child Care Search (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services), retrieved Nov 1, 2026. Programs supply and maintain some of this information themselves, and the state does not verify it. Always confirm details with the program.