About Us

Spark NH is the Governor Appointed Early Childhood Advisory Council for the State of New Hampshire.

In 2007, federal law required all states to create early childhood advisory councils to promote coordination and collaboration among federal, state and local early childhood programs and services.

In September 2011 Governor John Lynch enacted Spark NH by Executive Order to fulfill this requirement. The Council has 23 public and private members representing early learning, health and family support. The five committees of Spark NH include more than 90 volunteers from throughout the state who work together to promote a comprehensive, coordinated system of early childhood programs and services for New Hampshire’s families that will ensure the healthiest development of our young children.

Vision

All New Hampshire children and their families are healthy, learning and thriving now and in the future

Mission

Provide leadership that promotes a comprehensive, coordinated, sustainable early childhood system that achieves positive outcomes for young children and families, investing in a solid future for the Granite State

Focus

Expectant parents as well as children from birth through grade three and their families

The Importance of Early Childhood

A healthy and prosperous future for New Hampshire is important to all of us. And what we know now is that providing our next generation with positive early learning experiences, good health, and strong family support is vital to our future social and economic wellbeing – as today’s children are tomorrow’s parents, workers, and citizens.

Developmental science shows that a child’s earliest experiences lay the foundation for the brain’s developing architecture, setting a sturdy or fragile stage for all of the learning, health, and behavior that follows. Making sure children in every community have access to the resources and experiences that promote development – health, nutrition, learning – will make them more likely to succeed in school and later in life.

Whether you are a parent, service provider, business leader, or policymaker, you will find resources here to help you provide our young children with the strong foundation and support they need to thrive and succeed.