Great Bay Kids

Great Bay Kids is one of the largest nonprofit providers of early childhood education in New Hampshire. Through our two centers in Exeter and Portsmouth, along with a robust after-school care program, we provide high-quality early learning and school-age enrichment to more than 500 children each year.

As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep tuition rates affordable while continuing to deliver exceptional care. Your support helps us offer competitive wages, benefits, and professional development for our dedicated educators, while also assisting families who depend on state aid or are experiencing financial hardship.

Each day, we provide nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks in our early childhood programs, and breakfast and snacks in our school-age programs, all aligned with USDA and CACFP guidelines. We also supply essential items—such as baby wipes, diaper cream, sunscreen, bug spray, and formula—at no additional cost to families.

We believe every child deserves access to enriching experiences. That’s why we offer a wide range of no-cost activities throughout the year, including visits from storytellers, wildlife experts, musicians, and yoga instructors. These opportunities broaden our students’ horizons and support their development—but they also come with costs that philanthropy helps make possible.

Research consistently shows that high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong success. At a time when care is increasingly expensive and difficult to access, Great Bay Kids has proudly served the Seacoast community with affordable, high-quality programming since 1967.

Thank you for helping make our 8th year participating in NH Gives our most impactful yet. Your support truly makes a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.

Who We Are

Great Bay Kids (GBK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and school-age enrichment programs. Guided by its philosophy, “The Child Comes First,” GBK focuses on nurturing each child’s physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development while fostering strong self-esteem.

The organization is recognized as a “Granite Steps for Quality” provider by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and participates in the state’s Child Care Scholarship Program, supporting families with low to moderate incomes. GBKC is licensed to serve over 500 children across its programs.

History & Growth:

• Founded in 1967 in Newmarket as the Newmarket Community Action Council for Day Care Centers, Inc.
• Renamed in 1980 and again in 1997 to reflect regional expansion
• Expanded to Exeter in 1975 and later to Portsmouth (Pease International Tradeport) in 2010
• Recently built a modern 13,500 sq. ft. childcare facility in Exeter in 2015

Current Programs & Locations:

• Centers in Exeter and Portsmouth (Pease)
• School-age programs in Exeter at Main Street School
• Serves over 500 families across all sites

Leadership & Community Involvement:

• Governed by a volunteer Board made up of parents and community members
• Supported by an active Fundraising Committee that organizes events to sustain programming and financial goals