Your 60-second daycare plan

When to start looking for daycare in New Hampshire

Start as early as you can, especially for a baby. Infant spots are the hardest to find: in the 60 days before Nov 1, 2026, only 87 of the 385 New Hampshire programs that take infants reported an open infant spot. If you can, start joining waitlists during pregnancy.

• A year or more ahead: you’re early. Join a few lists now and check in every few weeks.
• 6 to 12 months ahead: a good time to call, tour and get on several waitlists.
• 2 to 6 months ahead: get on lists now, and ask every program about openings, not just the waitlist.
• Less than 2 months: start calling this week, and widen your search to nearby towns.

The plan above turns your dates into steps: when to call, when to tour, when to check in, and when to decide. It also suggests licensed programs near you. More about infant care in New Hampshire.