How to start a home daycare in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services oversees home daycares in New Hampshire. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare New Hampshire allows
Family day care home
Up to 6 children
Care happens in an occupied home, for less than 24 hours a day.
Source: Section 170-E:2 Definitions.Family group day care home
7 to 12 children
It is the larger home program, also in an occupied home.
Source: Section 170-E:2 Definitions.
Starting a home daycare in New Hampshire, step by step
Create an NHCIS account
Make an account in the New Hampshire Connections Information System, called NHCIS.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RuleGet a health officer approval
Get written approval from your local health officer. The inspection must be within 12 months before you apply.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RulePass a fire inspection
Get written approval from your local fire inspector. It must also be within 12 months before you apply.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RuleGet zoning approval
Get papers from your town or city showing zoning approval, or that none is needed.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RuleSend background check forms
Send forms for yourself and every household member 12 or older.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RuleGet a health screening
A licensed practitioner screens your health within one year before you apply.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RuleDraw your space
Send a diagram of your indoor and outdoor space for each building.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing RulePass the inspection and get a permit
After a complete application and an inspection, a new program gets a 6-month permit.
Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing Rule
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU). Licenses family child care homes and family group child care homes.Source: Child Care Licensing
- School-age children
- Up to 3 more in a family day care home, outside school hoursSource: Section 170-E:2 Definitions.
- Your own children
- Count toward the 6, unless they are 10 or olderSource: Section 170-E:2 Definitions.
- Hours per child
- No more than 13 a day, except in emergencies or long parent work daysSource: Section 170-E:2 Definitions.
- License at renewal
- 3 yearsSource: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing Rule
Good to know
- Your own children plus up to 4 more need no license. You may still choose to be licensed.Source: Section 170-E:3 Exemptions; Child Endangerment Prohibited.
- A building put up before 1978 needs a lead safety certification.Source: He-C 4002 NH Child Care Licensing Rule
- The licensing unit asks you to contact it early, while you are still planning.Source: Child Care Application Instructions
Run a program in New Hampshire? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in New Hampshire
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- New Hampshire licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in New Hampshire
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in New Hampshire
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in New Hampshire?
The first step: Create an NHCIS account. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU). Licenses family child care homes and family group child care homes.
How many children can a home daycare in New Hampshire care for?
Family day care home: Up to 6 children. Family group day care home: 7 to 12 children.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
See it with your name on the door.
Get startedor see it work
Sign up today, free, and set up in an afternoon.