When schools charge rent for school-age care, families and communities feel the impact

Recent reporting in Foster’s Daily Democrat highlighted concerns from the Rochester Child Care Center about rising financial pressures, including the possibility that rent may be charged for school-age care programs operating in public school buildings. While this situation is deeply concerning for one community, it reflects a broader, statewide issue that deserves careful attention.

Across New Hampshire, school-age care programs provide essential before- and after-school supervision, enrichment, and stability for children while enabling parents …