EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department announced what it is calling an historic milestone on Monday, Sept. 8 — that New Mexico will become the first state in the country to guarantee no-cost universal child care.
The extension of service begins on Nov. 1, according to the Governor’s OFFICE.
This new initiative will make child care available to all New Mexicans, regardless of income, by removing income eligibility requirements from the state’s child care assistance program and continuing the waiver of family copayments, the Governor’s Office said.
“Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity,” Lujan Grisham said. “By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
This announcement fulfills the promise made by the governor and the New Mexico Legislature when they created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019.
Since then, New Mexico has expanded access to no-cost child care to families with incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, reducing financial strain on tens of thousands of families, the Governor’s Office said.
With Monday’s announcement universal child care will be extended to every family in the state, regardless of income. This amounts to an average annual family savings of $12,000 per child, the Governor’s Office said.
“New Mexico is creating the conditions for better outcomes in health, learning, and well-being,” said Neal Halfon, professor of pediatrics, public health and public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, and director of the Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities. “Its approach is rooted in data, driven by communities, and becoming a model for the nation.”
Families who receive child care assistance report greater financial stability, more time to focus on their children, and the ability to choose higher-quality care settings, the Governor’s Office said.
New Mexico is also taking decisive action to build the supply of infant and toddler care statewide, according to the Governor’s office by:
- Establishing a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund to construct, expand, and renovate child care facilities, with an additional $20 million requested in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
- Targeting growth to focus on care for infants, toddlers, low-income families, and children with special needs.
- Partnering with employers and school districts to expand child care options for working families
- Launching a statewide campaign to recruit licensed and registered home providers
To support providers, reimbursement rates will rise to reflect the true cost of care, the Governor’s Office said.
Programs that commit to paying entry-level staff a minimum of $18 per hour and offer 10 hours of care per day, five days a week, will receive an incentive rate. New Mexico estimates an additional 5,000 early childhood professionals are needed to fully achieve a universal system.
“Early childhood care and education is a public good,” said ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. “By providing universal access and improving pay for our early childhood workforce, we are easing financial pressure on families, strengthening our economy, and helping every child learn in safe, nurturing environments. This is the kind of investment that builds equity today and prosperity for the future.”
For more information about how families and providers can access universal child care benefits, you can click here.
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