Head Start in New Hampshire
Head Start is free preschool for children 3 to 5 from families who qualify, and Early Head Start serves babies and toddlers. Families qualify by income, or when they receive public assistance, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home.
- Head Start and Early Head Start centers listed
- 23
- towns
- 21
- of all New Hampshire daycares
- 5%
Map of New Hampshire: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start in New Hampshire
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 23
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 8
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 14
- The Office of Head Start lists a site at these daycares. The others say Head Start in their name, on their website or on their state record.
New Hampshire
Largest towns for Head Start in New Hampshire
Programs
Programs in New Hampshire
Counts come from each daycare's name and what it says it offers; the state license list is not on DaycarePal yet. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.
| Program | Listed |
|---|---|
| All daycares | 506 |
| Take infants | 112 |
| Child care centers | 495 |
| Accept subsidy | 26 |
| In-home daycares | 11 |
| Christian & church daycares | 16 |
| Montessori schools | 34 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 166 |
| Early morning daycare | 90 |
| Part-time daycare | 55 |
| Head Start | 23 |
The New Hampshire license list
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit licenses daycares in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire license list is not on DaycarePal yet.
- Listings
- From public business listings: the name, address, phone, website and hours each business publishes
- License
- No license record is matched to these listings yet; that does not mean a daycare is unlicensed
- Inspections
- Not on these listings; check the state's own search
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in New Hampshire
- 1
Check that you qualify
Families qualify by income, or when they receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home. Programs may take some other children too.
- 2
Have your papers ready
Ask the program which papers to bring, such as proof of your child's age and of your family's income or benefits.
- 3
Ask about the waitlist
There are not enough places for every child who qualifies. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist.
- 4
Ask about the day
Some programs run full days, some part days or the school year only, and some visit families at home. Ask which fits your family.
New Hampshire
Cost, inspections and ratios in New Hampshire
A to Z
All 21 New Hampshire towns with Head Start, A to Z
B1 town
- Berlin1 center
E1 town
- Epping1 center
F1 town
- Franklin1 center
H2 towns
- Hampton Falls1 center
- Hudson1 center
J1 town
- Jaffrey1 center
L1 town
- Laconia1 center
M1 town
- Milton1 center
P3 towns
- Pittsfield2 centers
- Plymouth1 center
- Portsmouth1 center
S1 town
- Seabrook1 center
W2 towns
- Whitefield1 center
- Woodsville1 center
No town on this list matches. Check the spelling, or search by ZIP code above.
Nearby
Nearby states
Questions
Questions about Head Start in New Hampshire
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in New Hampshire?
23 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 21 New Hampshire towns. Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.
Which New Hampshire town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Nashua, with 2 listed. Next are Pittsfield (2) and Berlin (1).
Who qualifies for Head Start?
Children from families whose income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines, families that receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, children in foster care and children experiencing homelessness. Programs may also take some children who do not meet these rules, so ask.
Is Head Start free?
Yes. Head Start and Early Head Start cost nothing for families who qualify.
What ages does Head Start serve?
Head Start preschool is for children 3 to 5. Early Head Start is for babies and toddlers from birth to 3, and many programs also serve expectant families.
How do I apply for Head Start?
Call or visit the Head Start program near you; it explains the papers you need. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist. The Office of Head Start's apply page links to its national locator.
Who licenses daycares in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit licenses daycares in New Hampshire. Its license list is not on DaycarePal yet, so the listings here come from public business listings and show no license or inspection record. Use the state's own search, linked on this page, to check a daycare's license.