Little Sprouts - Merrimack
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 1% violation rate across 6 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected December 2025) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes New Hampshire's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. New Hampshire caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Daycare
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 126
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 12 Toddlers 1:5 15 Preschool 1:12 24
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 7 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (3), Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (2), and Discipline & Adult-Child Interaction (1). Of 11 total findings, 6 were critical.
See All 5 Inspection Visits
Apr 3, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Staff Shall Not Use Prohibited Discipline Practices on ChildrenHe-C 4002.17(e)(1)
Child care staff and household members shall not: Abuse or neglect children.
Dec 9, 20252 Findings2 Important
- The Program Conducts Fire Drills and Maintains Record of Drills as RequiredHe-C 4002.16(a)(1)
Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one drill e…
- Staff Comply W/rules for Prep., Refrigeration, Serving, Discarding, Freezing, Thawing, & Warming Formula & Breast MilkHe-C 4002.30(i)
Breast milk and prepared formula shall be stored in covered containers, labeled with the child’s name and dated.
Sep 11, 20252 Findings2 Critical
- HIGH RISK: Staff Supervise Children as RequiredHe-C 4002.20(a)
Child care staff shall supervise every child in care at all times.
- HIGH RISK: Are Dangerous Items and Staff Personal Belongings Stored OOR or LockedHe-C 4002.23(c)
Child care staff shall ensure that potentially harmful items, including but not limited to matches, lighters, chemicals, materials labeled “harmful if swallowed,” flammable materials, sharp objects, and staffs’ personal…
May 8, 20252 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: Staff Supervise Children as RequiredHe-C 4002.20(a)
Child care staff shall supervise every child in care at all times.
- The Program Has Provided All Required Notifications to the UnitHe-C 4002.15(a)
A licensee or permittee shall notify the unit: (1) Using the “NH Connections” portal or in writing prior to changing the name or advertising under a new name, including any documentation from the secretary of state, if a…
May 17, 20244 Findings3 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: Medication Is Stored in Accordance with RuleHe-C 4002.21(o)
All medication shall be: (1) Inaccessible to children; (2) Stored at the temperature and conditions recommended by the manufacturer or as directed on the prescription label; (3) Stored in a secondary container separate f…
- HIGH RISK: Children >3 Years No Have Access to Small Toys/parts/items That Pose a Suffocation HazardHe-C 4002.25(f)
Child care staff shall not allow children younger than 3 years of age to have access to toys, toy parts, and other materials that pose a suffocation or choking risk or are small enough to be swallowed, including, but not…
- HIGH RISK: Cribs and Playpens Are Safe, No Soft Items, and Proper Bedding MaterialsHe-C 4002.26(f)
Cribs and play pens required under He-C 4002.26(c) above shall: (1) Not be stacked; (2) Be free of cracked or peeling paint, splinters, and rough edges; (3) Have no more than 2⅜ inches between slats; (4) Have no missing,…
- Staff Teach & Remind Children to Wash HandsHe-C 4002.30(b)
Child care staff shall: (1) Teach children the importance of hand washing with liquid soap and running water; and (2) Instruct, encourage, remind, or assist infants and children as needed throughout each day to wash thei…