Grafton Regional Development Corporation launches Upper Valley Childcare Solutions Partnership

Grafton Regional Development Corporation (GRDC) has announced the launch of the Upper Valley Childcare Solutions Partnership, a seven-month regional initiative designed to address the Upper Valley’s acute shortage of quality, affordable child care.

Funded by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Couch Family Foundation, the project is one of two pilots in the state and part of a four-state national effort focused on building innovative, scalable child care solutions.

A recent New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute study estimates that these shortages cost New Hampshire businesses up to $56 million annually due to employee absenteeism, turnover and forgone economic activity. Families face long waitlists, employers struggle to hire and retain staff, and communities feel the broader ripple effects of constrained economic mobility. “Child care is not just a family issue; it is a core economic infrastructure issue,” said Anne Duncan Cooley, CEO of GRDC.

“Our region’s employers, municipalities and nonprofit partners have been sounding the alarm for years. GRDC is honored to help lead a coordinated, solutions-focused effort that brings all these stakeholders together. This work builds on more than two decades of relationship-building and economic development leadership in Grafton County. We are committed to helping the Upper Valley create a strong, reliable child care system that allows families to thrive and businesses to grow.” The initiative is organized around three coordinated areas of work that together address workforce needs, facility capacity and long-term system sustainability. GRDC Programs Director Michelle Beaudin will lead efforts to strengthen the child care workforce by convening providers, educators and support organizations to identify barriers, share strategies and expand the number of qualified early childhood professionals.

Consultant Nancy Merrill, with support from Beaudin, will guide facility expansion and development efforts, helping providers explore relocation, renovation and innovative child care models that make better use of available community spaces.

GRDC CEO Anne Duncan Cooley and consultant Tracy Hutchins will co-lead the investigation, design and pilot of an employer-supported funding solution that strengthens child care providers, supports the early childhood workforce and helps address facility needs, bridging the gap until more stable public funding is available. With the project now underway, the next major phase is direct engagement with employers throughout the Upper Valley. Employers interested in participating in this next phase or sharing employee experiences are encouraged to contact GRDC directly at 603-536-2011 or childcare@graftonrdc.org.