New Mexico Pioneers Universal No-Cost Child Care Initiative
In a groundbreaking move, New Mexico is set to become the first state in the United States to implement a comprehensive no-cost child care program for families, irrespective of income brackets. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made this announcement on Monday, revealing the universal child care initiative’s launch date of November 1. This program will eliminate all income eligibility criteria and waive family copayments from the state’s existing child care assistance framework, according to the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized the crucial role that child care plays in family stability and economic participation, stating, “Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity.” She further articulated that the state’s investment in universal child care would alleviate financial burdens on families, bolster the economy, and ensure equitable opportunities for child development.
The initiative is poised to bring significant financial relief for families, with the state estimating an average annual savings of approximately ,000 per child. Previously, the New Mexico government had extended no-cost child care access to families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level when it formed the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019. The new measures expand this coverage to all families across the state.
To complement this program, state officials are focusing on enhancing child care capacity by creating a .7 million low-interest loan fund for the construction and renovation of child care facilities, with an additional million earmarked for fiscal year 2027. Special emphasis is being placed on growing services for infants and toddlers, as well as catering to low-income families and children with special needs.
In recognition of the importance of quality care, New Mexico plans to increase reimbursement rates to better align with actual operational costs. Moreover, programs offering entry-level wages of at least an hour while providing 10 hours of daily service, five days per week, will qualify for enhanced incentive rates.
The implementation of this universal child care system necessitates the recruitment of an estimated 5,000 additional early childhood professionals, highlighting a need for workforce development and training in the sector.
Elizabeth Groginsky, secretary of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, remarked, “Early childhood care and education is a public good. 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.”
Michelle Kang, president and CEO of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, praised the initiative, labeling it a potential model for other states. “Achieving universal child care will make a huge difference for the state’s children, families, businesses, and educators—and for all of us, by showing that it can be done,” she stated.
Families seeking further information on how to access the universal child care benefits can visit the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s dedicated webpage. This trailblazing initiative not only showcases New Mexico’s commitment to enhancing early childhood education but also positions it as a leader in addressing crucial family and economic issues on a national scale.
