Child care for a 2 year old: Drop-In Daycare: Flexible Part-Time Child Care Options

Types of Child Care – Child Care Aware of NH

Selecting a child care arrangement for your child can seem to be an overwhelming task. There are many factors to consider including types of care, price, availability and location. Families’ needs and priorities must not be overlooked. 

Plan to spend as much time as possible to explore the options available. Please keep in mind that Child Care Aware of New Hampshire provides referrals NOT recommendations. We do not endorse any specific program or provider. It is a family’s responsibility to choose the option that best suits your needs and those of your child. The information below and quality indicators can help you with this choice.

Quality indicators include immunization requirements, child-staff ratios and group size, staff qualifications and ongoing training requirements, positive discipline policies, and child abuse/neglect prevention. Health & safety indicators can include routine fire drills, medication policies, emergency plans, playground safety, and hand washing/hygiene policies. If you have any questions please contact one of our Regional Outreach Offices. We’re here to help!

Types of Licensed Child Care

• Group Child Care Agency

• Family Child Care Homes

• Family Group Child Care Home

• Preschool Program

• Infant/Toddler Program

• Night Care

• School-Age Program

A center-based child care program that cares for 1 or more children ages 3 to 6 years of age, up to 4 of whom may be younger than 3 years of age, plus 5 children enrolled in a full-day school program.

A child care program operated in a home in which the provider resides. In a family child care home one provider may care for a maximum of 6 preschool children plus up to 3 children who are enrolled in a full-day school program. The number of children younger than 36 months of age and 24 months of age that may be cared for is limited.

A child care program operated in a home in which the provider resides. In a family group child care home one provider and one family child care worker or assistant may care for 7 to 12 preschool children plus up to 5 children enrolled in a full-day school program. The number of children younger than 36 months of age that may be cared for is limited.

A center-based child care program that provides care and a structured program for children ages 3 years of age and older who are not attending a full day school program. Preschool programs can care for children up to 5 hours per day.

A center-based child care program that cares for 5 or more infant and toddlers under three years of age.

A center-based, family or family group child care program that provides care during the evening or night time hours between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The type of center-based family will determine the limits on ages and numbers of children or family group child care program issued.

Child Care Center Information

When there are mixed ages in the same group, the ratio is based on the average age of children in the group. Infants may be included in the mixed age groups with children over age three with certain restrictions, and the maximum number of children under age three allowed in a mixed age group is 16.

If you have questions regarding ratios, please contact the Child Care Licensing Unit at (603) 271-9025.

Center Staff Education, Training and Experience

• A center is required to have on staff a Center Director or qualified substitute who has at least 1000 hours of work experience with young children and the approved equivalent of an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Lead Teachers are required to have a high school diploma and at least 18 credits in Early Childhood Education or equivalent.  There must be 1 qualified teacher per every 6 staff members.
• Associate Teachers must have a high school diploma and at least 9 credits in early childhood education or its approved equivalent.
• Child care assistants or aides must be at least 16 years old and must always be under the direct supervision of an associate teacher.
• The director (or substitute) of a school-age program must be on-site during all operating hours when the program is open 5 hours or less, and 2/3 of the day when open more than 5 hours (holidays).  An associate teacher must be present for the other 1/3 of operating hours.
• The director (or substitute) of a center, nursery, preschool program or night care agency must be present for 2/3 of daily operating hours.
• NH currently requires 18 hours per year of ongoing training in early education for all center staff.
• At least one staff member certified in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid must be on the premises at all times.

Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve eligible young children ages birth through five. Families enrolled in these programs do not pay a tuition fee. 

Information and requirements for eligibility for Head Start and Early Head Start >

Family or Family Group Child Care Homes

• Family child care homes with one provider may generally care for 6 preschool children and 3 school-age children, with no more than 4 children under 36 months, of which no more than 2 children may be under 24 months of age.
• Family group child care providers who work with an assistant may care for up to 12 preschool children and often 5 school-age children, and no more than 4 children may be under 36 months of age.
• Family child care providers who are under age 21 must complete a Child Care Licensing Unit’s approved child care curriculum.  This is not required of providers age 21 and over.
• NH currently requires 18 hours per year of ongoing training in early childhood education for family child care providers.
• Family child care providers must be certified in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.

Types of License-Exempt Child Care

Facility-Based Child Care

• Private homes in which any number of the provider’s own children, whether related biologically or through adoption, and up to 3 additional children are cared for regularly for any part of the day, but less than 24 hours, unless the caregiver elects to comply with the provisions of this chapter and be licensed.
• Private homes in which the only children in care are the provider’s own children, children related to the provider, and children residing with the provider.

Programs that fall into this category and  are enrolled to accept DHHS NH Child Care Scholarship are required to receive an annual health and safety motoring visit from the Child Care Licensing Unit. These programs have separate regulations that need to be followed.

Licensing is not required under the following conditions

• When care is provided in the child’s own home
• When a provider is caring for up to three children not including their own
• When programs are run by an approved private or public elementary schools and are regulated by the NH Department of Education
• When children’s programs are run and regulated by other government programs (Army, etc.)
• When it is a camp, summer or recreational program for school age children

License-Exempt Child Care Homes

• Home based providers caring for no more than 3 children other than their own.
• Accept State Child Care Scholarship.
• Have successfully submitted a Criminal Record Check.
• Are over the age of 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
• Are certified in pediatric CPR and First aid.
• License-Exempt providers must take 10 health and safety courses upon enrollment to the program.
• License-Exempt providers must complete four hours of annual ongoing training per year. Two must be in the health and safety topics, and two must be in other DHHS specified topics.

In-Home Guide

This In Home Guide is provided as a service to parents who are considering the option of hiring an in-home child care provider. We know that searching for someone to come into your home to care for your child can be a very stressful experience, and we hope that this information will be helpful to you.

State of Florida Mandated ‘Adult to Child’ Ratios

Early Care and Education Centers

The following table outlines the minimum standards for the care of children in a licensed early care and education facility as established by rule of the department. When children two years of age, and older are in care, the staff-to-children ratio shall be based on the age group with the largest number of children within the group.

Adult to Child Ratio	State Statue 402.305 (4)
1:4	For children from birth through 1 year of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every four children.
1:6	For children 1 year of age or older, but under 2 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every six children
1:11	For children 2 years of age or older, but under 3 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 11 children
1:15	For children 3 years of age or older, but under 4 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 15 children
1:20	For children 4 years of age or older, but under 5 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 20 children.
1:25	For children 5 years of age or older, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 25 children.

Family Childcare Home

The following table outlines the different combinations that ONE family child care provider may care for at one time. A provider can meet only one category (a, b, c or d) at a time. However, he/she is not limited to one category on the Registration/license and may change to a different category at various times throughout the day or week. Also, providers own children are included in the count (0-12yrs)

Large Family Childcare Home

The following table outlines the different combinations that TWO family child care providers may care for at one time. This home can only meet one category (a. or b) at a time. However, he/she is not limited to one category on the Registration/license and may change to a different category at various times throughout the day or week. Both of the providers own children are included in the count (0-12yrs).

Article 13.

Procedure for the appointment and payment of insurance coverage \ ConsultantPlus

Article 13. Procedure for the appointment and payment of insurance coverage

see the text in the previous wording)

1. Appointment and payment of benefits for temporary disability (except for the cases specified in Clause 1 of Part 2 of Article 3 of this Federal Law, when the payment of benefits for temporary disability is carried out at the expense of the insured), for pregnancy and childbirth, a one-time allowance for the birth of a child, a monthly allowance for child care are carried out by the insurer. nine0003

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01.01.2023 in Part 2 of Art. 13 are amended (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

2. If the insured person at the time of the occurrence of the insured event is employed by several insurers and was employed by the same insurers in the two previous calendar years, benefits for temporary disability, pregnancy and childbirth are assigned and paid to him by the insurer for each of the insurers with which the insured person is employed at the time of the insured event, and the monthly childcare allowance for one of the insurers with whom the insured person is employed at the time of the insured event, at the choice of the insured person and are calculated based on the average earnings determined in accordance with Article 14 of this Federal Law, for the time of work (service, other activities) with the insured, for which the allowance is assigned and paid. nine0003

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01.01.2023 in Part 3 of Art. 13 are amended (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

3. If the insured person at the time of the occurrence of the insured event is employed by several insurers, and in the two previous calendar years was employed by other insurers (another insured), benefits for temporary disability, for pregnancy and childbirth, a monthly allowance for child care are assigned and are paid to him by the insurer for one of the insurers, with whom the insured person is employed at the time of the insured event, at the choice of the insured person. nine0003

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01/01/2023 in Part 4 of Art. 13 are amended (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

4. If the insured person at the time of the occurrence of the insured event is employed by several insurers, and in the two previous calendar years was employed by both these and other insurers (another insured), benefits for temporary disability, pregnancy and childbirth are assigned and paid to him by the insurer or in accordance with part 2 of this article for each of the insurers with whom the insured person is employed at the time of the insured event, based on the average earnings for the time of work (service, other activity) with the insured for which the benefit is assigned and paid, or in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article for one of the policyholders with whom the insured person is employed at the time of the insured event, at the choice of the insured person. nine0003

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01.01.2023 Art. 13 is supplemented by parts 4.1 and 4.2 (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

5. If the insured person lost his ability to work due to illness or injury within 30 calendar days from the date of termination of work under an employment contract, service or other activity, during which he was subject to compulsory social insurance in case of temporary disability and in connection with maternity, the temporary disability allowance is assigned and paid by the insurer for the insured for whom such work or activity was carried out. nine0003

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01.01.2023 in Part 6 of Art. 13 are amended (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

6. The basis for the appointment and payment of benefits for temporary disability, pregnancy and childbirth is a certificate of incapacity for work, formed by a medical organization and placed in the information system of the insurer in the form of an electronic document, signed using an enhanced qualified electronic signature by a medical worker and a medical organization, if otherwise not established by this Federal Law. The conditions and procedure for the formation of sick leave certificates in the form of an electronic document are established by the federal executive body responsible for the development and implementation of state policy and legal regulation in the field of healthcare, in agreement with the federal executive body responsible for developing state policy and regulatory legal regulation in the field of social insurance, and the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation. The procedure for information interaction between the insurer, policyholders, medical organizations and federal state institutions of medical and social expertise for the exchange of information in order to form a sick leave certificate in the form of an electronic document is approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. nine0003

7. At the request of the insured person, the medical organization issues him an extract from the disability certificate, formed in the form of an electronic document. The form of the statement is approved by the insurer.

8. Insurers, no later than three working days from the date of receipt of data on a closed certificate of incapacity for work, formed in the form of an electronic document, transfer to the information system of the insurer, as part of the information for the formation of an electronic certificate of incapacity for work, the information necessary for the appointment and payment of benefits for temporary disability, for pregnancy and childbirth, signed using an enhanced qualified electronic signature, unless otherwise provided by this article. nine0003

(as amended by the Federal Law of February 25, 2022 N 18-FZ)

(see the text in the previous edition)

register of civil status records, and information requested by the insurer in accordance with Part 1 of Article 4.2 of this Federal Law.

10. The basis for assigning and paying a monthly child care allowance to the insured persons specified in Part 1 of Article 2 of this Federal Law is the application of the insured person for the appointment of a monthly child care allowance, which is submitted to the policyholder simultaneously with the insured person’s application for granting parental leave until the child reaches the age of three years. The application form for the appointment of a monthly allowance for child care is approved by the insurer in agreement with the federal executive body responsible for developing state policy and legal regulation in the field of social insurance. The insured person, who at the time of the occurrence of the insured event is employed by several insurers, when submitting an application to one of the insurers for the appointment of a monthly child care allowance, confirms the choice of the insurant, according to which the insurer will assign and pay a monthly child care allowance. nine0003

11. Insured persons submit the information necessary for the appointment of a monthly child care allowance to the territorial body of the insurer at the place of their registration no later than three working days from the date of submission by the insured person of an application for the appointment of a monthly allowance for child care, unless otherwise not established by this article.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 18-FZ of February 25, 2022)

(see the text in the previous edition)

11.1. Insurers applying the special tax regime “Automated Simplified Taxation System”, no later than one working day from the date of submission by the insured person of an application for the appointment of a monthly child care allowance, send to the insurer in electronic form, including through the personal account of the taxpayer, information about application submitted by the insured person. nine0003

(Part 11.1 was introduced by Federal Law No. 18-FZ of February 25, 2022)

when he became aware of the occurrence of such circumstances, sends a notice to the territorial body of the insurer at the place of his registration on the termination of the right of the insured person to receive a monthly child care allowance. nine0003

13. Upon employment or during the period of employment, service, other activities, the insured person shall provide the policyholder at the place of work (service, other activity) with information about himself necessary for the policyholder and the insurer to pay insurance coverage (hereinafter referred to as information about the insured person), the list of which is contained in the form approved by the insurer. Information about the insured person is drawn up on paper or in the form of an electronic document. nine0003

14. The insured person is obliged to notify the policyholder in a timely manner of changes in the information specified in paragraph 13 of this article.

15. Information about the insured person received by the policyholder shall be transferred by him to the territorial body of the insurer at the place of his registration no later than three working days from the date of their receipt.

16. Assignment and payment of insurance coverage are carried out by the insurer on the basis of information and documents submitted by the insured, information available to the insurer, as well as information and documents requested by the insurer from state bodies, local governments or subordinate to state bodies or local governments organizations. nine0003

using a unified system of interdepartmental electronic interaction are established by the Government of the Russian Federation.

18. The procedure and conditions for the submission by the insured in electronic form of information and documents necessary for the appointment and payment of insurance coverage to insured persons are established by the insurer in agreement with the federal executive body responsible for developing state policy and legal regulation in the field of social insurance. The formats for the submission by the insured in electronic form of the specified information and documents are established by the insurer. nine0003

19. In the event that the insurant ceases to operate or if it is impossible to establish its actual location on the day the insured person applies for benefits for temporary disability, pregnancy and childbirth, a one-time allowance for the birth of a child, a monthly allowance for child care, appointment and payment the specified types of insurance coverage (with the exception of temporary disability benefits paid at the expense of the insured in accordance with Clause 1 of Part 2 of Article 3 of this Federal Law) are carried out by the insurer on the basis of information and documents submitted by the insured person, information available to the insurer, and also information and documents requested by the insurer from state bodies, local governments or organizations subordinate to state bodies or local governments. nine0003

20. If the information and documents necessary for the appointment and payment of insurance coverage are not provided to the insurer in full, the insurer, within five working days from the date of their receipt, sends the policyholder or, in the case specified in paragraph 19 of this article, the insured person a notice on submission of missing information or documents in the form approved by the insurer. The policyholder or the insured person, upon receipt of the said notice, shall submit to the insurer the missing information and documents within five working days from the date of receipt of the notice. nine0003

with motherhood in relation to the deceased on the day of his death or in relation to one of the parents (other legal representative) or other family member of the deceased minor on the day of death of this minor, and in the cases provided for by part 23 of this article, by the insurer. nine0003

22. If the insured person was employed by several policyholders at the time of the occurrence of the insured event, the social benefit for burial is assigned and paid by one of the policyholders at the choice of the person who applied for such benefit.

23. If it is not possible for the insured to pay social benefits for burial due to the termination of his activities or insufficient funds in his accounts with credit institutions, or if it is not possible to establish the location of the insured and his property, which may be levied , if there is a court decision that has entered into legal force establishing the fact that such an insurer did not pay benefits to a person entitled to receive it, or if, on the day of the application of a person entitled to receive social benefits for burial, the procedures applied to the insured are carried out in a bankruptcy case, the assignment and payment of social benefits for burial are carried out by the insurer. nine0003

funeral matters are carried out by the territorial body of the insurer at the place of registration of the insured in the manner determined by the insurer in agreement with the federal executive body responsible for developing state policy and legal regulation in the field of social insurance. nine0003

25. Payment of benefits for temporary disability, for pregnancy and childbirth, a one-time allowance for the birth of a child, a monthly allowance for child care is carried out by the insurer through the organization of the federal postal service, credit or other organization specified in the information about the insured person.

26. Payment for banking services for operations with funds provided for the payment of insurance coverage is not charged.

27. Information on the appointment and payment of insurance coverage is posted by the insurer in the Unified State Social Security Information System in accordance with the Federal Law of July 17, 1999 N 178-FZ “On State Social Assistance”.

Consultant Plus: note.

From 01/01/2023 in Part 28 of Art. 13 are amended (FZ of July 14, 2022 N 237-FZ). See future edition.

organization in the form of a document on paper. The specifics of the procedure for assigning and paying insurance coverage to the specified categories of insured persons are established by the federal executive body in charge of developing state policy and legal regulation in the field of social insurance, in agreement with the federal executive bodies in charge of developing and implementing state policy and legal regulation in the established field of activity, other federal state bodies and the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation. nine0003

29. The information required for the appointment and payment of insurance coverage to insured persons employed by policyholders applying the special tax regime “Automated Simplified Taxation System”, for their confirmation or clarification (addition) is sent by the insurer to the policyholder in electronic form, including through personal account of the taxpayer. The policyholder, no later than three working days from the date of receipt of the specified information, confirms or clarifies (supplements) them and sends the clarified (supplemented) information to the insurer in electronic form, including through the personal account of the taxpayer. nine0003

(Part 29 was introduced by Federal Law No. 18-FZ of February 25, 2022)

Article 17.2. Deadlines for assigning state benefits to citizens with children \ ConsultantPlus

The amounts of benefits established by this law have been changed due to indexation. See Help Information for indexed benefit amounts.

Article 17.2. Deadlines for assigning state benefits to citizens with children

(as amended by Federal Law No. 207-FZ of December 5, 2006)

(see the text in the previous wording)

Pregnancy and childbirth allowance, a one-time allowance for the birth of a child, a monthly allowance for child care, as well as a one-time allowance for the transfer of a child to be raised in a family are assigned if they were applied for no later than six months, respectively, from the date of the end of the maternity leave, from the date of the birth of the child, from the day the child reaches the age of one and a half years, from the date the court decision on adoption comes into legal force, or from the day the guardianship and guardianship authority makes a decision to establish guardianship (guardianship ), or from the date of conclusion of an agreement on the transfer of a child for upbringing to a foster family, and a one-time allowance for the pregnant wife of a conscripted military serviceman and a monthly allowance for a child of a conscripted military serviceman – no later than six months from the date of termination military servicemen on conscription. nine0003

(as amended by Federal Laws No. 233-FZ of October 25, 2007, No. 129-FZ of June 7, 2013, and No. 151-FZ of May 26, 2021)

(see the text in the previous version)

child care allowance is paid for the entire period during which the person caring for the child was entitled to the said allowance, in the amount provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation for the relevant period.

The day of applying for a one-time allowance when a child is placed in a family is considered the day of acceptance (registration) by the body authorized to assign and pay a lump-sum allowance when a child is placed in a family, applications for the appointment of a lump-sum allowance when a child is placed in a family with all necessary documents. nine0003

(Part three was introduced by Federal Law No. 27-FZ of 07.03.2011)

indicated on the postmark of the federal postal organization at the place of sending this application.

(Part four was introduced by Federal Law No.