How many childcare assistance resources are in New Hampshire?

Women's Corner tracks 14 childcare assistance resources for women in New Hampshire.

Are childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire free?

13 of the 14 listed childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in New Hampshire have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Nashua, Manchester.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire?

Featured entries include NH Child Care Scholarship Program, NH Child Care Resource & Referral, YMCA of Greater Nashua — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, Southern NH Services — Head Start.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

5 of 14 New Hampshire childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.

How do I get help paying for daycare?

Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.

What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?

Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.

Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?

Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.

Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?

Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.

Best Childcare Assistance in New Hampshire — 14 resources

About Childcare Assistance for Women

Childcare assistance for mothers is delivered primarily through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG/CCDF), Head Start, Early Head Start, and state pre-K. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services) and help families pay for licensed care while parents work, attend school, or participate in training — eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3 plus pregnant women. Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) and state Resource & Referral agencies match families to providers. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, Head Start programs, and R&R agencies.

Childcare Assistance in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Circuit Court Family Division handles all family matters statewide. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DHHS. Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Dover are the largest cities. 603 Legal Aid and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence support women, with a strong self-help website for pro se litigants.

14 Resources

1. NH Child Care Scholarship Program — Free

NH Child Care Scholarship Program serves women in New Hampshire and surrounding New Hampshire communities with subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Dial 800-852-3345 for an initial conversation about your situation. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

800-852-3345 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. NH Child Care Resource & Referral — Free

NH Child Care Resource & Referral offers New Hampshire mothers free online tools for subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Contact 855-393-1731 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying New Hampshire mothers and their children.

855-393-1731 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. YMCA of Greater Nashua — Childcare

YMCA of Greater Nashua — Childcare is the go-to childcare resource in the Nashua area for subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Dial 603-882-2011 for an initial conversation about your situation. Open Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Paid service with sliding-scale or insurance billing for qualifying women.

603-882-2011 · Nashua, NH · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

4. Boys & Girls Club of Manchester — Free

Boys & Girls Club of Manchester is a New Hampshire childcare resource helping mothers with subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Call 603-625-5891 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Available Mon-Fri after school-7pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

603-625-5891 · Manchester, NH · Mon-Fri after school-7pm

5. Southern NH Services — Head Start — Free

Southern NH Services — Head Start works with women across New Hampshire on subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Contact 603-668-8010 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

603-668-8010 · Multiple southern NH locations · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

6. ChildCare.gov — Free

Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Head Start Locator — Free

Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Early Head Start — Free

Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Child Care Aware of America — Free

1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Zero to Three — Free

Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3 for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in New Hampshire?: Women's Corner tracks 14 childcare assistance resources for women in New Hampshire.
Are childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire free?: 13 of the 14 listed childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New Hampshire have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Nashua, Manchester.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in New Hampshire?: Featured entries include NH Child Care Scholarship Program, NH Child Care Resource & Referral, YMCA of Greater Nashua — Childcare, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, Southern NH Services — Head Start.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 5 of 14 New Hampshire childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.
How do I get help paying for daycare?: Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.
What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?: Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.
Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?: Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.
Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?: Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.