Updated: 6/13/25
General Overview
Why is the university issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for childcare services?
The UNH Child Study and Development Center (CSDC), which provides early childhood education and serves as a clinical placement site for students, currently operates at a significant financial deficit. While the university has long subsidized the program, this level of support is no longer financially sustainable.The University System of New Hampshire (USNH)—including UNH, Keene State College, and Plymouth State University—has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to explore whether an experienced childcare provider could partner with our campuses to deliver high-quality early education and support academic programs in a more cost-effective way.
Is the university planning to close the CSDC?
No. The university recognizes the importance of high-quality early childhood care and education. The goal is to maintain access to this service for families while addressing long-term financial sustainability.
Has a decision already been made to outsource the center?
No. We are still in the exploratory phase. The RFP will help us understand what options are available—both from external providers and from potential internal improvements.
Why now? Why wasn’t this addressed earlier or with more family involvement?
The university joined the broader USNH RFP process earlier this year. Budget pressures and sustained operational deficits at the CSDC made it necessary for us to consider long-term, sustainable solutions. We recognize that more proactive communication could have better prepared families for this conversation.
Is the university considering ways to address financial shortfalls under the current management structure?
Yes. The university has convened a working group consisting of parents, faculty, and administrators to develop a financial proposal for consideration alongside proposals received through the RFP process.
Impact on Families and Children
Will my child’s routine or classroom change?
No major changes will occur during the RFP process. If a new provider is selected, any future adjustments to curriculum, staffing, or classroom operations will be communicated clearly and thoughtfully, with as much advance notice as possible.Will the current staff stay?
Maintaining continuity of care and trusted relationships is a priority for the university. Minimizing staff disruptions is one of the evaluation criteria for the RFP. If a new provider is selected, they will determine employment terms, including staffing needs, salaries, and benefits—but they will also be expected to demonstrate a plan for retaining experienced educators.Will fees change? Will financial aid still be available?
We understand that affordability is a significant concern for families. Because the CSDC operates at a deficit each year, it is likely that tuition rates will need to increase under any future model in order to achieve long-term sustainability.
All RFP respondents are required to submit detailed tuition structures and outline any financial assistance programs they offer. If a new provider is selected, those details will be shared with families well in advance.Will existing families be guaranteed a spot with a new provider?
If a change in provider occurs, currently enrolled families will have priority placement. Ensuring continuity for children and families is a priority, and we will work to minimize disruption throughout the process.I have questions about what will happen after the transition. Why aren’t there specific answers available yet?
We understand that families are eager for clarity on important issues like tuition rates, hours of operation, and other day-to-day details. These specifics will be addressed during the negotiation of a management plan with any provider we ultimately select. Once finalized, we’ll share information as early and clearly as possible to help ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption for families.
Staffing and Educational Quality
How are staff being supported during this process?
We value the experience and relationships that CSDC staff bring to our families and students. Any future transition would include clear communication and, wherever possible, opportunities for continuity in roles and responsibilities.Will teachers lose their jobs?
Our goal is to retain current staff. Any provider selected through the RFP process will be expected to demonstrate how they will transition and support existing educators. No staffing changes are planned during the RFP review period.Will the center still be a lab school?
Yes. The RFP explicitly states that any future partner must preserve the center’s role as a lab school, including integration with academic programs, support for student learning, and opportunities for faculty collaboration.What about student teachers and internships?
These placements are a critical part of our academic mission. Any selected provider will be required to maintain strong partnerships with university programs and support student teaching, internships, and observational learning.How will an outside vendor manage the training and mentoring of college students?
Supporting student learning is a key priority and would be a central focus of our discussions with any potential provider. Details around training and mentoring would be addressed in the negotiation of a transition and management plan to ensure continuity and quality of educational experiences for our students.
Will research still be conducted?
Currently, research activity at the CSDC is limited. However, future partnerships that support faculty-led research are strongly encouraged under the RFP, and providers are asked to detail how they would facilitate such work in coordination with UNH faculty.Will the curriculum change?
Any curriculum used at the center will need to align with New Hampshire’s Early Learning Standards. Proposals from providers must include detailed curriculum information, and this will be a key component of the evaluation process.Will licensing and accreditation change?
Maintaining quality standards is critical. While a specific accreditation is not a mandated requirement in the RFP, providers are being asked to detail their accreditation experience and process for achieving and maintaining accreditation. Providers will be asked to demonstrate how they will meet or exceed state licensing standards and pursue quality benchmarks.
Process and Oversight
What is the timeline?
The RFP opened on May 8, 2025 and proposals were due by June 2, 2025. Proposal review began in early June and we anticipate reaching a decision sometime in August 2025. If a new provider is selected, we will communicate a detailed transition timeline at that time. Any changes will be planned thoughtfully to avoid disruption for families and staff.Who is reviewing the proposals?
A selection committee comprising childcare and finance leaders from each campus, including the Executive Director of the UNH CSDC will review the proposals and be responsible for recommending a decision to university and university system leadership.Can families review and provide input on the proposals?
No. Because the proposals may include proprietary business and financial information, access is limited to members of the selection committee, who are operating under a nondisclosure agreement.Will families have any opportunity to provide input?
Yes. A planning group that includes family representatives is helping to shape an internal proposal and ensure the selection committee understands the views and values of current families.
Transparency and Accountability
Can families review the RFP?
Yes. The RFP is available here.Can families review the budget for the center?
Yes. High-level financial information from the past several years, including expenses and revenues, is available here. In addition, the family-inclusive planning group will have opportunities to work directly with the university’s finance team to review data and discuss potential solutions.What about grants? Why aren’t they included in the high-level financial information?
Grant funding is typically designated for specific projects, initiatives, or research—not for covering day-to-day operational costs. Currently, there are no active externally funded research projects connected to the CSDC. Even if there were, the indirect cost recovery from those grants would go to the University or the principal investigator, not directly to the CSDC’s operating budget.
What other programs are being evaluated?
UNH and the broader university system are reviewing a range of academic and administrative programs as we work to align our operations with changing financial realities and enrollment trends. The CSDC is not the only program under review.How is success being defined in this process?
We are evaluating all proposals—internal and external—based on multiple priorities: the quality of care for children, support for educators, integration with academic programs, financial sustainability, and continuity for families.What happens if no providers submit acceptable proposals?
We are actively preparing for that possibility by evaluating internal options. The goal is to identify the best long-term path, not to make a change at any cost.Who can I address additional questions to?
Please submit your questions here. We will update this page to address questions that have not already been answered. We also plan to host additional town halls to provide updates as this process continues.
