Portsmouth City Council Proposes Working Group to Tackle Child Care Affordability Crisis
PORTSMOUTH, NH — February 5, 2026 — During a City Council meeting held on February 2, Councilor Annie Hopkins emphasized the urgent need for a city-led initiative to improve access to affordable child care. As the cost of child care continues to soar—averaging approximately ,000 annually for two children—many families face the grim reality of having to choose between employment and care for their children.
Hopkins articulated that the challenges surrounding child care are pervasive in the region, compelling many parents to navigate complex schedules, often resulting in reliance on informal care arrangements. “Child care is one of the most consistent issues that people are facing today,” she asserted. “It’s unreliable for many; they have to make their decisions about whether to work based on child care availability.”
The emotional weight of the child care crisis resonates personally with Hopkins, who reported that her family joined waitlists for child care even before her son was born. This experience reflects the broader struggles families in Portsmouth encounter as they seek reliable child care solutions.
To address these issues, Hopkins proposed the establishment of a dedicated working group tasked with assessing local child care services and identifying existing gaps. “The point here, to clarify, is coordination,” she remarked. “I don’t want to create a new program; I want to connect the dots across the existing resources we have.” Her vision entails forming a small steering committee along with a broader advisory network to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.
Councilor Andrew Bagley also underscored the complexity of the child care dilemma. He pointed out that parents who most require child care support often lack the time to advocate for change due to their commitments. Citing his role with the Seacoast Y Advisory Board, Bagley noted ongoing efforts to explore innovative solutions, particularly in addressing the shortage of qualified child care specialists.
Adding another dimension to the discussion, Councilor Kate Cook highlighted the interplay between rising housing costs and child care affordability. “Parents here are saying, ‘I can’t live in Portsmouth anymore because it takes both of our incomes to pay our housing costs, and we can’t afford child care,’” she explained. The ramifications of this decision extend beyond individual families, potentially affecting the community’s demographics and future growth, as fewer families with young children are able to settle in the area.
Mayor Deaglan McEachern expressed support for creating a task force focused on leveraging city resources to expand child care options. “How can we use our schools and buildings to create potential child care solutions that are close to home?” he posed. “Finding out what is possible for us is a great use of time to see if there’s a delta between what we’re doing and what we could do.”
The City Council has referred the matter to City Manager Karen Conard, seeking her expertise in exploring viable solutions and organizing existing child care resources. As discussions progress, the city aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap that addresses the pressing issue of child care accessibility, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of life for families in Portsmouth and stabilize the local workforce.
