Ruais Launches Manchester Commission On Child Care To Address Access And Workforce Needs

MANCHESTER, NH — Mayor Jay Ruais announced the creation of the city of Manchester Commission on Child Care on Tuesday, an initiative intended to address access to affordable, licensed child care and early childhood support services in the city.

Ruais said the issue is personally important to him and has broader implications for the city’s workforce and economy.

“As a new dad, I recognize the importance of this issue, and it reminds me constantly of our responsibility to give every child the strongest possible start,” Ruais said.

According to data cited by the mayor’s office, licensed child care capacity for children under age 5 in New Hampshire declined by nearly 13 percent between 2017 and 2024, while the number of young children remained stable. Providers statewide are operating at about 85 percent of their licensed capacity, a shortfall attributed to staffing shortages and financial pressures.

The lack of child care availability has economic effects, the release said. New Hampshire businesses lose an estimated $56 million each year as parents reduce work hours or leave the workforce because they cannot secure or afford child care.

“Child care isn’t just a family issue; it’s a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a livability issue for our entire city,” Ruais said.

The commission will develop recommendations in several areas, including increasing the supply of licensed child care programs, supporting the early childhood workforce, expanding access to early literacy resources, and coordinating efforts among city departments, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other partners. The commission is expected to deliver recommendations to the city by fall 2026.

The city will work with the National League of Cities and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority on the initiative, according to the mayor’s office.

Ruais has nominated city leaders, elected officials, child care providers, employers, and early childhood experts to serve on the commission. Community input will be solicited through public listening sessions on child care, which are scheduled to begin in March.

Additional information about the commission and listening sessions will be posted on the city of Manchester’s economic development webpage.

“This is not a small challenge, but it is one we can meet by working together,” Ruais said.