How to Become a child care provider in New Hampshire (NH) - post

Becoming a child care provider in New Hampshire (NH) is a wonderful way to help children grow while starting a great career. Whether you want to work in a large center or start your own business at home, there are specific steps you must take to be ready.

New Hampshire has rules to make sure every child is safe and healthy. This guide will help you understand the training and education you need to get started.

What Are the First Steps to Work in New Hampshire Child Care?

To work in child care in NH, you must meet certain rules from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This department has a group called the Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU). They are the ones who check to make sure child care programs are following the law.

Everyone who works with children, from helpers to directors, must complete basic training. This is called preservice training. It helps you learn how to keep children safe from your very first day.

What Training Do I Need Before I Start?

If you are responsible for supervising children or help meet the "staff-to-child ratio," you must finish 6 hours of professional development within your first 90 days on the job.

The 6 hours of professional development required in (a) above shall include:

• Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 
• Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices
• Administration of Medicine 
• Prevention of and response to allergic reactions 
• Building and Physical Premises Safety 
• Shaken Baby Syndrome 
• Responding to Emergencies 
• Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials
• Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children
• Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting
• First Aid & CPR Blended

How Do I Become an Associate Teacher?

If you want to grow your career beyond an assistant, you might want to become an Associate Teacher. This role requires more specific knowledge about how children learn.

To qualify as an Associate Teacher in New Hampshire, you need 30 hours of training in child growth and development. This training helps you understand how kids' brains and bodies change as they get older.

ChildCareEd offers a great course called Early Childhood Education that can help you meet these hours. Understanding child development makes your job much easier because you will know what to expect from different age groups!

How Do I Become a Lead Teacher or Director?

Lead Teachers and Directors have more responsibilities. Because of this, they need more education.

• Lead Teachers: You must have a CDA Credential (Child Development Associate). You can get a CDA for Preschool, Infants and Toddlers, or Family Child Care.
• Directors: To be a Director of a center, you must have at least an Associate Degree in a field related to children.
• Family Child Care Providers: If you want to run a program in your own home, you need to finish a two-year child care program approved by the state OR have 6 college credits in child development.

What Are the Yearly Training Rules?

Once you have your job, the learning doesn't stop! New Hampshire requires all staff to keep their skills sharp.

• Yearly Hours: You must complete 18 hours of professional development every year.
• Health and Safety: At least 3 hours of that yearly training must be about health and safety topics.

If you work part-time (less than 25 hours a week), you may only need 12 hours of training per year, but you still need the 3 hours of health and safety.

Staying updated helps you provide the best care possible. You can read more about why this matters in our article: The Importance of Professional Development for Childcare Providers: Continuing Education and Training

How Can ChildCareEd Help You?

ChildCareEd is a great partner for New Hampshire providers. Our trainings are approved to meet the "in-service" rules for all types of programs, including:

• Center-based programs and preschools.
• Infant and toddler programs.
• School-age and night care programs.
• Family child care homes.

Our courses are easy to use online. This means you can learn at home when you have time. We use simple language so everyone can understand the lessons, even if English is not your first language.

Who Should I Contact for Licensing?

If you have specific questions about your license or a program's rules, you should contact the NH Child Care Licensing Unit.

• Phone: (603) 271-9025
• Email: CCLUoffice@dhhs.nh.gov
• Website: NH DHHS Child Care Licensing

Starting a career in child care is an exciting journey. By following these steps and staying up to date with your training, you will be a hero to the children and families in your community! #ChildCareHero

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