Childcare access and affordability is a critical issue that is limiting the choices of Granite Staters regarding their opportunities for employment or participation in the economy, economic mobility, and overall community resilience. The Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) is a designated Economic Development District, and views childcare not only as a social issue, but as a key foundational component of the region’s economic infrastructure. Withing our current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Childcare access is identified as a priority areas where improved local policies, expanded provider capacity, and clearer pathways for the development of new childcare opportunities can have a large impact on the region. By building upon the prior work of NYU Wagner Students who partnered with SRPC during the last academic year, which mapped the current childcare landscape, identified several policy recommendations, and conducted extensive analysis and partnership building, we now seek to take action on these recommendations by generating and advancing local tools, conducting key market analysis, and implementing resources to expand childcare in the region. 

 

We are envisioning several key activities and action items. 
 
 Policy Review and Modeling 

Conducting a review of local zoning and licensing requirements, along with land use policies generally, across the 18 municipalities in the Strafford region to identify barriers and opportunities for both home- and facility-based childcare. Based on this review, a next step would be working with partners at the NH Office of Planning and Development on model ordinance and permitting pathways that municipalities can consider. 

 

Business Guide/Toolkit 

Development of a user friendly resource guide that can be of use to prospective childcare providers that outline business development steps, financing opportunities, licensing requirements, and more. A keen focus could be provided for home-based care or micro-enterprises. 

 

Supply and Demand Modeling 

Conducting a regional market analysis comparing current childcare capacity with current and projected demand based on demographic projections. Identification of gaps in service, areas of high unmet need, and more would be included. Key partners in this space would be the University of New Hampshire Center for Social Policy in Practice. 

 

Stakeholder Engagement 

Coordinating with key partners like the Strafford Economic Development Corporation, New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, University of New Hampshire Center for Social Policy in Practice, and other planning and economic development stakeholders at the local, regional and state level. 

 

Overall, tangible and actionable tools and strategies based around the above proposals that would provide resources, insights, and tools to municipalities, entrepreneurs, and childcare providers. Some key measures of success could include: 

A completed zoning and regulatory audit of the regions municipalities and a set of model ordinances or recommendations. 

A practical business development toolkit that is reviewed and collaborated on with local economic development partners. 

A quantitative analysis of the supply and demand for childcare in the region now and into the future. 

Strengthened collaboration with key partners in the region and continued emphasis of childcare as a key component to economic development. 

Generally, we hope that this work will lead to increased providers in the region, reduced costs for providers with respect to streamlining of local regulations and regulatory barriers, opportunities for micro-enterprise, and enhanced support for childcare as an economic driver.