The average child care educator in New Hampshire earns just $27,000 per year, but raising wages directly impacts the tuition costs for the families accessing care, which already average more than $28,000 per year for a family with an infant and a four-year-old. In short, an early childhood educator with two young children spends their entire salary or more on child care costs. For most in this situation, it makes more financial sense to leave the early childhood workforce.
SB 404 is a proactive approach to addressing the child care workforce crisis.
About the Bill
SB 404 addresses the staffing shortage by providing early childhood educators with access to the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship, regardless of household income. This would mean that early childhood educators who work more than 25 hours per week would automatically qualify for the maximum child care scholarship benefit according to the most current market rate survey for family size, child age, type of program, and service level.
The Senate passed an amended version of the bill that provides no guarantee that the program will ever be implemented. The bill has advanced to the House Special Committee on Childcare. Email the Committee to urge them to restore the bill to its original intent.
Take Action
Email your Representatives
Share Your Story
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Spread the Word
Download and share our one-pager about Child Care for New Hampshire's Child Care Teachers
Bill Status
The Special Committee on Childcare voted unanimously to amend SB 404 back to its original purpose of providing child care workers with access to the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship regardless of household income. SB 404 will head to the House floor for a vote on May 2. Email your representative(s) to encourage their support of SB 404!
The Impact
The child care workforce crisis is impacting families across the Granite State. Hear from parents, advocates, business leaders, child care workers, and more about the impact of this crisis.
