Merrimack Valley Day Care Service @ MCNH
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.3 / 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.3 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 60% violation rate across 4 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected May 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
- 50
- 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 5 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (3), Licensing & Administrative Compliance (2), and Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (1). Of 15 total findings, 9 were critical.
See All 5 Inspection Visits
May 1, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Diaper Changing Close to a HW Sink/surface Washable/hands-free Trash/not in Food AreaHe-C 4002.28(a)
Programs serving diapered children and children who are not toilet trained shall have a diaper changing area, which shall be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a designated hand washing sink to allow access for…
May 16, 20253 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: Record of Attendance and Group Size/ratios Are MaintainedHe-C 4002.08(a)
The program shall maintain daily child attendance records, in either paper or electronic format, including the child’s full name, date of birth, and their arrival and departure times in the program and each room or group…
- HIGH RISK: Interactions Between and Among Staff and Children Are AppropriateHe-C 4002.18(a)
Child care staff shall nurture and encourage each child in care by providing each child with a variety of developmentally appropriate learning and social experiences and establishing and maintaining a learning environmen…
- The CD/AA/SC/SD Resp for the Daily ops/GL or AT in Charge in Their Absence; All Staff Know Their IdentityHe-C 4002.35(c)
Center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators and site directors shall: (1) Be responsible for the daily operation of the program and ensure the program’s compliance with He-C 4002; (2) Designate a staff per…
Jan 21, 20253 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: The Program Practices/reviews EOP Response Actions and Records Them as RequiredHe-C 4002.17(f)
In order to assure that staff and children are familiar with all of the EOP drills, programs shall: (1) Practice evacuation off-site and bomb threats once per year with all child care staff; (2) Practice at least 2 other…
- HIGH RISK: Program Has Care/treatment Plan for Child W/ Allergy/serious ReactionHe-C 4002.20(g)
The program shall obtain the following documents from the parents of each child with a food allergy or other allergy, which results in a serious reaction: (1) A written care plan that includes instructions regarding food…
- Health Screening for Staff and Household Members Completed and on FileHe-C 4002.09(b)
A written record of a health screening for all child care staff, household members and other individuals who have 5 or more hours per week of contact with children shall: (1) Be on file at the program and available for r…
Nov 15, 20243 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- HIGH RISK: Program Uses Only Approved Space, with Adequate Sq Ft, and Reports Changes to SpaceHe-C 4002.09(d)(2)
The initial record of the health screening required in He-C 4002.09(b) for newly hired child care staff shall include a statement by the health care provider that indicates the individual has no apparent health condition…
- HIGH RISK: Staff Shall Not Use Prohibited Discipline Practices on ChildrenHe-C 4002.18(e)(10)
Child care staff and household members shall not use isolation as a form of discipline.
- There Is an Operable Phone Accessible to Staff (Landline or Cell)He-C 4002.20(k)
Programs shall be equipped with a telephone that is operable and accessible to all child care staff during all operating hours for incoming and outgoing calls. The phone may be a cellular phone or a landline.
Apr 17, 20245 Findings3 Critical2 Important
- HIGH RISK: Record of Attendance and Group Size/ratios Are MaintainedHe-C 4002.08(a)
The program shall maintain daily child attendance records, in either paper or electronic format, including the child’s full name, date of birth, and their arrival and departure times in the program and each room or group…
- HIGH RISK: The Program Practices/reviews EOP Response Actions and Records Them as RequiredHe-C 4002.17(f)
In order to assure that staff and children are familiar with all of the EOP drills, programs shall: (1) Practice evacuation off-site and bomb threats once per year with all child care staff; (2) Practice at least 2 other…
- HIGH RISK: Program Returns or Disposes Expired/discontinued MedsHe-C 4002.21(u)
Any contaminated, expired, or discontinued medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, and topical substances shall be returned to the child’s parents or, if belonging to the program, disposed of properly by au…
- Items Labeled "Keep Out Of Reach" Are Used Only During Teacher Directed ActivitiesHe-C 4002.23(e)
Non-toxic materials labeled “keep out of reach of children” shall only be used during a teacher-directed activity.
- HIGH RISK: Staff Have Completed Required Professional DevelopmentHe-C 4002.33(a)
All center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators, or site directors, and all other child care staff who are responsible for the supervision of children, or who are necessary for the staff to child ratios, s…