License Finder

Child Care Center Directors and Site Directors direct the activities of child development facilities to provide instruction and care for children. Prepare budgets, authorize purchase of materials, interview and recommend hiring of staff, and perform other administrative duties. Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

Legislation: NH RSA 170-E; Administrative Rules Chapter He-C 4002

Licensure Requirements:

• Child day care agencies (including providers, facilities, and programs) must be licensed by the Child Care Licensing Unit under the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
• Licensure of individuals is not required; credentialing is voluntary

• For employment in a child care nursery, group child care center, preschool program, or school-age program, all child care personnel must provide documentation of education and experience, with such documentation to be kept on file at the child care program

• Center Directors in a group child care program, child care nursery, preschool program or center-based night care program must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, documentation of at least three credits in child development, and three credits in management and supervision or a minimum of two years' experience in a supervisory or management position in lieu of the three credits in management and supervision, a minimum of 1,500 hours experience working with children in a licensed program or public or private elementary school and at least one of the following qualifications:
1. A minimum of an Associate's degree in child development, early childhood or elementary education, or other field of study focused on children; or
2. An additional 3,000 hours of experience working with children in a licensed program or public or private school and documentation of a current Child Development Associates (CDA) credential in center-based infant/toddler or preschool programs; or
3. Current certification in early childhood, elementary, or special education by the New Hampshire Department of Education; or
4. Certification in a teacher preparation program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) in infant and toddler, early childhood, or elementary I, which satisfies the three credits in child development required if certified in infant and toddler or early childhood, together with 60 college credits; or
5. College courses totaling 60 credits, including a minimum of 24 credits in child development, early childhood education, or elementary education, or other field of study focused on children, including as least three credits in children with special needs, child growth and development, and curriculum for early childhood education; or
6. Be on file with the department as a center director working in that position on or before the effective date of these rules in 2017

• School Age Program Site Directors in a school-age program must be at least 20 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have at least one of the following qualifications:
  1. A minimum of an associate's degree in child development, education, recreation, or other field of studyfocused on children, awarded by a regionally accredited college or university; or
  2. Certification of successful completion of training as a recreation director plus 1,000 hours experience working with children in a licensed child care program, recreation program or elementary school; or
  3. A total of 12 credits in child development, education, or recreation or other field of study focused on children from a regionally accredited college plus 1,000 hours of experience working with children; or
  4. Current certification as an educator by the New Hampshire Departmen