Opinion
Who's Taking Care of the People Who Take Care of Our Kids?
Think about the people who greet your child every morning at day care. They know your kid's favorite book, how they like to be comforted when they're upset, and exactly when they're about to melt down before a nap. They shape how your child learns to talk, share, and make friends.
Here's the question: Are they earning enough to pay their own bills?
In New Hampshire, the honest answer is often no. The average childcare worker in our state earns about $16.62 an hour. That sounds okay until you realize a single adult in New Hampshire needs to earn closer to $25 an hour just to cover basic living expenses. Many childcare workers are choosing between staying in a job they love and being able to afford rent, groceries, and their own family's care. It's no surprise that nearly one in five childcare workers leaves the field every year.
And when they leave, we all feel it. When there are fewer childcare workers there are fewer spots for kids. Fewer spots mean parents can't go back to work. One study found that every missing childcare slot costs the New Hampshire's economy up to $66,000 a year in lost wages, business income, and tax revenue. Childcare isn't just a family issue - it's an economic one.
So what can we do in the Granite Sate?
The good news is that New Hampshire has already started moving in the right direction. The state has set aside money specifically to help childcare programs give their workers raises, bonuses, and better benefits like health insurance. There's also a new pilot program - passed by the legislature in 2024 - that helps childcare workers pay for their own childcare. Think about that: people who watch other families' children often can't afford to have someone watch theirs. This program starts to fix that.
The state also runs a quality program called Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ), which gives extra money and training support to childcare centers that go above and beyond the basics. Programs that join get coaching, professional development, and funding they can use for staff. The problem? Only about one in five licensed childcare programs in New Hampshire have joined. The GSQ system needs to be simpler and more welcoming so more programs, and more workers, can benefit.
How can we support childcare workers in NH?
First, better pay. Childcare workers require livable wages. The state has taken some steps, but one-time grants aren't enough. Steady, reliable funding that flows into worker paychecks is what keeps people in the field.
Second, clearer career paths. Right now, childcare workers in New Hampshire must navigate three different systems just to track their own qualifications. That's confusing and discouraging. Simplifying this would make it easier for workers to build a career; not just hold a job. This spring, the NH Executive Council voted to table $1.2 million of federal funding. That money would have expanded free professional development, coaching, and training for childcare providers across the state.
Third, more respect. Early childhood educators are doing some of the most important work in our communities – caring for the next generation. The research is clear that the first five years shape everything that comes after - reading, social skills, success in school. The people guiding this development deserve to be treated as the professionals they are.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about making sure the people who care for our children can afford to keep showing up.
The next time you drop your children off at childcare, remember to thank the people who are doing this important work – caring for your children. New Hampshire can do better for them.