Help Paying for Preschool in New Hampshire (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but New Hampshire families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in New Hampshire
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in New Hampshire (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a New Hampshire program →
Public pre-K in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no statewide public pre-K program, so Head Start (below) and a childcare subsidy are the main ways to lower the cost. Some districts and Head Start grantees still offer free or low-cost preschool. Official New Hampshire program info →
Childcare subsidy in New Hampshire
Separate from preschool programs, New Hampshire's childcare subsidy — New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to up to 85% of the state median income — measured against your state's median income, a higher ceiling than the federal poverty line. Raised to 85% SMI in the 2024-25 budget; older pages citing 220% FPL are outdated. Apply or learn more →
See also: when your child can start school in New Hampshire · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.