1. (a) To be eligible to be enrolled, a child care provider shall meet the following qualifications:

   1. (1) Be 18 years of age or older;
   2. (2) Meet the definition of licensed pursuant to He-C 6914.03(q) or the definition of license-exempt pursuant to He-C 6914.03(r) and (s);
   3. (3) Maintain liability insurance or provide a disclosure to parents that the program is uninsured pursuant to RSA 170-E:6-b;
   4. (4) Review and comply with the statutes regarding confidentiality, including RSA 169-B:35, RSA 169-C:25, RSA 169-D:25, RSA 170-B:23, RSA 170-C:14, and RSA 170-G:8-a;
   5. (5) The child care provider and the provider’s employees shall not have a conflict of interest;
   6. (6) Not be the parent of a child for whom the provider is providing care unless the child is receiving protective child care provided by a licensed foster parent as approved by the department;

   7. (7) Not be a member of the same residence as the parent or child(ren) receiving child care scholarship unless:

      1. a. The child(ren) is in foster care and receiving protective child care scholarship; and

      2. b. Where the “residence” is a dwelling which:

         1. 1. Has a separate bathroom and kitchen;
         2. 2. Has a separate entrance and mailing address; and

         3. 3. For which there are independent living expenses including one or more of the following:

            1. (i) Electricity billing statement for the address identified in b. above;
            2. (ii) Gas or oil billing statement for the address identified in b. above; or
            3. (iii) A lease agreement stating that any of above costs are included in the payment of rent;

   8. (8) If license-exempt shall complete a background record check in compliance with He-C 6920 and:

      1. a. If home based:

         1. 1. Submit to an annual announced monitoring visit as defined in He-C 6916.03 prior to department enrollment; and
         2. 2. Comply with all the minimum standards for health and safety as required by He-C 6916; or

      2. b. If facility based:

         1. 1. Submit to an annual announced monitoring visit as defined in He-C 6917.03; and
         2. 2. Comply with the minimum standards for health and safety as required by He-C 6917;
   9. (9) Not have had any permit or license issued through the department’s child care licensing unit (CCLU) revoked; and
   10. (10) If licensed, have a valid New Hampshire child care license or valid permit to operate in accordance with He-C 4002, and be in good standing.

2. (b) In addition to being qualified under He-C 6914.04(a) above, a child care provider seeking to be enrolled shall complete and submit to the department the following documentation for each child care location:

   1. (1) If a licensed child care provider:

      1. a. A copy of the provider’s current child care license issued by CCLU;
      2. b. “State of New Hampshire Alternate W-9 Form” (11/2/2021);
      3. c. Form 1862 “Child Care Provider Enrollment” (March 2025); and
      4. d. Form 1860 “Child Care Provider Agreement” (March 2025);

   2. (2) If a license-exempt family child care provider:

      1. a. “State of New Hampshire Alternate W-9 Form” (11/2/2021);
      2. b. Form 1862 “Child Care Provider Enrollment” (March 2025); and
      3. c. Form 1860 “Child Care Provider Agreement” (March 2025); or

   3. (3) If a license-exempt center child care provider as defined in RSA 170-E:3, I(a), (b), (f), and (g):

      1. a. “State of New Hampshire Alternate W-9 Form” (11/2/2021);
      2. b. Form 1862 “Child Care Provider Enrollment” (March 2025); and
      3. c. Form 1860 “Child Care Provider Agreement” (March 2025).
      4. (d) Each licensed and license-exempt child care provider and their employees shall create an account in the “NH Connections Information System (NHCIS)” at https://new-hampshire.my.site.com/nhccis/s/login/.

      5. (e) All child care staff who are responsible for the supervision of children including program directors shall submit proof according to (k) below that the provider and employee has completed a minimum of 6 hours of training in total in all required health and safety topics listed below:

         1. (1) Prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunizations as referenced in He-C 6916.10(h), (i), (j), and (k) and He-C 6917.10(l), (m), (n), and (o);
         2. (2) Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome, shaken baby syndrome, and abusive head trauma and use of safe sleeping practices;;
         3. (3) Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental consent;
         4. (4) Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;
         5. (5) Building and physical premises safety, including identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic;
         6. (6) Prevention of child maltreatment;
         7. (7) Recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect;
         8. (8) Emergency preparedness and response planning that shall include all requirements as listed in He-C 6916.07 and He-C 6917.07;
         9. (9) Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants;
         10. (10) For providers offering transportation, appropriate precautions in transporting children; and

         11. (11) Child development for birth through 12 years including the major domains pursuant to 45 CFR 98.44(b)(1)(iii):

             1. a. Cognitive;
             2. b. Social;
             3. c. Emotional;
             4. d. Physical development; and
             5. d. Approaches to learning.
      6. (f) A license-exempt child care provider and each employee working for programs operating 4 months or less, such as a summer or recreational program, who has completed the health and safety requirements listed in He-C 6914.04(e)(1)-(11) shall complete a minimum of 2 hours of professional development in any of the health and safety topics listed in He-C 6914.04(e)(1)-(11).
      7. (g) Child care programs that serve only children attending part day kindergarten or full-day public school shall be exempt from He-C 6914.04(e)(2).

      8. (h) All child care staff who are responsible for the supervision of children including program directors shall submit proof according to (k) below to the department that the provider and each employee has current certification in:

         1. (1) CPR which shall include instruction in CPR and foreign body airway obstruction management for infants and children by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Emergency Care and Safety Institute, National Safety Council, or other nationally recognized organization; and
         2. (2) Pediatric first aid.
      9. (i) CPR and first aid training as specified in (h)(1) and (h)(2) above may be taken via correspondence or online, provided a skill test is performed in person prior to becoming certified.

      10. (j) Each license-exempt provider and employee shall obtain documentation of successful completion of the training in (e) above that includes the following:

          1. (1) The title of the training completed;
          2. (2) The name of the organization offering the training;
          3. (3) The name of the trainer, if applicable;
          4. (4) The name of the employee completing the training;
          5. (5) The date on which the training was completed; and
          6. (6) The duration of the training.
      11. (k) Each license-exempt child care provider and employee shall upload documentation in (e) and (h) above to NHCIS located at https://new-hampshire.my.site.com/nhccis/s/login.

      12. (l) Each license-exempt child care provider and employee, shall complete the required health and safety training and certification in (e) and (h) as follows:

          1. (1) Each newly enrolling license-exempt child care provider and employee shall complete required training prior to enrollment;
          2. (2) Each new employee of a currently enrolled license-exempt center provider shall complete the required training within 90 days from the start of employment; and
          3. (3) Each new employee of a currently enrolled license-exempt center child care provider initially hired for 4 months or less or hired in a license-exempt center offering child care services for 4 months or less, such as a summer or recreational program, shall complete the required training within 2 weeks of the start of employment.

      13. (m) Each license-exempt child care provider shall schedule an annual announced monitoring visit no later than 2 weeks after receiving contact from the department to determine compliance with He-C 6916 and He-C 6917 except when:

          1. (1) The child(ren) are cared for in the child’s own home by a relative with no additional children who are not related to the child(ren) being cared for; or
          2. (2) The child(ren) are cared for by a relative in the relative’s own home with no additional children who are not related to the child(ren) or provider.

      14. (n) If the license-exempt child care provider is exempt from (m) above, the provider and where applicable, the parent, shall complete, sign, date, and submit to the department Form 2692 “Health and Safety Self-Certification” (March 2025) certifying the following:

          “The home has working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on all floors.

          The child care provider does not use corporal punishment. Corporal punishment means the use of physical force, physical restraint, or physical actions against a child as a means of discipline.

          The child care provider will allow the parent or guardian unlimited access to the children while in the provider’s care.

          The child care provider must be free of communicable diseases; be physically able and mentally capable of caring for the children.

          The home has been checked (including indoor care areas and yard) and is safe for children. Children are protected from dangers such as standing bodies of water including pools and spas, electrical outlets, stairs, poisonous materials, medications, guns, and ammunition. A self-assessment checklist is available through the “NH Connections” website at https://www.nh-connections.org/.

          The provider has access to a telephone and emergency telephone numbers are readily accessible.

          Provider’s Statement: I certify all information provided and contained on this form are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. If I am providing child care to a related child in my home, I certify that my home meets the basic health and safety requirements listed in Section 3. I understand that health and safety training resources are available at https://www.nh-connections.org/ and through NHCIS at https://new-hampshire.my.site.com/nhccis/s/login.

          Parent/Guardian’s Statement: I have approved the person named on this form to care for my children. I understand all information provided and contained on this form are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that it is my responsibility to make sure the child care provided to my children and the place where care is provided is safe. I understand that the State of NH will not monitor the safety of the child care provided. I take full responsibility for the child care provided by this child care provider.”

      15. (o) A child care provider shall complete and submit to the department all forms and attachments specified in this section.

      16. (p) The child care provider shall submit the applicable forms and documentation listed in this section through NHCIS or by mail to:

          Department of Health and Human Services

          Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration

          129 Pleasant Street

          Concord, NH 03301

      17. (q) If there are forms or required documentation missing, the department shall notify the provider in writing of the items required before the enrollment can be processed.

      18. (r) The enrollment process shall be considered complete when:

          1. (1) All forms and attachments specified in this section are submitted to the department, including any signatures required on such forms; and
          2. (2) If applicable, the department announced monitoring visit referenced in (m) above, has been conducted by CCLU.
      19. (s) The enrollment date shall be effective the date the department announced monitoring visit was conducted and deemed to meet the requirements of He-C 6916 or He-C 6917, except license-exempt providers pursuant to (m)(1) and (2) above, the effective date shall be when all forms and attachments specified in this section are submitted to the department, including Form 2692 “Health and Safety Self-Certification” (March 2025).
      20. (t) The department shall review all background checks received for child care providers, employees, and household members. If a criminal background check shows the existence of a finding or a conviction, the department shall conduct an investigation pursuant to He-C 6920.07 to determine whether the individual poses a threat to the safety of children pursuant to RSA 170-E:7 and whether the enrollment should be denied.
      21. (u) The forms and documents in (r) above and the results of the background determination in (t) above shall be reviewed by the department to determine whether the provider meets all of the qualifications and requirements for enrollment under He-C 6914.
      22. (v) The enrollment process shall be complete as of the date the department makes the determination in (u) above and sends the written notification of the provider’s approval or denial of enrollment. A child care provider shall not be eligible to receive payment prior to the date indicated in the written notification.
      23. (w) If approved, enrollment shall continue for a period of 3 years from the date on the written verification.
      24. (x) The department shall assign an enrolled child care provider a unique resource identification number for each child care location to be used for child care scholarship payment.
      25. (y) An enrolled child care provider shall notify the department in writing within 10 calendar days of any change in the information provided on the enrollment forms, background check, or criminal history record information as defined in He-C 6920.03(i), except as stated in (ad) below.
      26. (z) A child care provider who has changed or obtained a new tax identification number shall report the new tax identification number to the department as required in (y) above and complete and submit a copy of the Form 1862, “Child Care Provider Enrollment Form” (March 2025) and “State of New Hampshire Alternate W-9 Form”(11/2/21).
      27. (aa) After the department receives the information and forms documenting a change as required in (z) above, the department shall assign the provider a new resource identification number as described in (x) above.
      28. (ab) If a child care provider has had their child care license under He-C 4002 denied or suspended, the department shall review the documentation of the license denial or suspension from CCLU, to determine if the child care provider meets the qualifications of a license-exempt provider in accordance with He-C 6914 and RSA 170-E:3.
      29. (ac) An enrolled child care provider shall be a vendor of child care services and shall not be considered an employee of the department.
      30. (ad) All enrolled child care providers of child care scholarship shall notify the department within 2 calendar days if the location of child care services changes.
      31. (ae) If a license-exempt child care provider changes the location of child care services from the child’s own home to the provider’s private home, the department shall not make payment until background checks required by He-C 6920.04 are completed and received for all household members.

Source. #12223, eff 7-10-17; amd by #12536, eff 5-24-18; ss by #13065, eff 7-1-20; ss by #14095, EMERGENCY RULE, eff 10-9-24; ss by #14222, eff 3-27-25, EXPIRES: 3-27-35