Families in New Mexico can qualify for no-cost child care starting Nov. 1.
Under the state’s new universal child care program, all families that work or attend school can receive child care assistance, regardless of how much money they make.
The state Early Childhood Education & Care Department (ECECD) estimates families will save an average of $12,000 per child per year under the new program.
Here is everything you need to know.
Who qualifies for free child care?
Families who work or attend school can get child care assistance, no matter their income.
Grandparents raising grandchildren, families with babies born substance-exposed, families experiencing housing instability, and families involved with the Children, Youth and Families Department can also receive child care assistance without the work or school requirement.
Children must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, or qualified immigrants to qualify for the program, but their families’ immigration status isn’t considered.
What child care programs are covered?
Child care centers, in-home providers, before and after-school programs, and summer programs are all covered under the new program, as long as they are licensed or registered by the ECECD.
How do I apply for child care assistance?
Starting Nov. 1, families can apply for universal child care online here.
Applicants must provide:
- Current proof of income
- Verification of school or training schedule for adults (if applicable)
- Picture ID
- Birth verification for all children in the household
- Proof of qualified immigrant status for those without a U.S. birth certificate
- Proof of New Mexico residency, such as a driver’s license, utility bill, lease, or mortgage
- Contact information for your ECED-approved child care provider
Benefits will begin the day children start with an approved child care provider.
How do I find an approved child care provider?
The ECECD’s website has a list of approved child care providers.
Search through their Child Care Finder to find a provider or check if your current program is on their list.
What happens after I apply?
Once you are approved for child care assistance, your benefits will begin on the day your child starts care with an ECECD-approved provider. Families with children currently enrolled in child care and paying out of pocket should ask their provider if they accept payments from ECECD. If they do, you can apply for assistance to help cover your child care costs, regardless of your income level.
Is there enough child care to support families’ needs?
Building a universal child care system takes time. While New Mexico has already made major progress, not every family will immediately be able to find a child care provider with room to accept a new child. To meet families’ needs, especially for infants, toddlers, and parents working non-traditional hours, ECECD is actively recruiting 1,000 registered home providers and 120 licensed homes in collaboration with our partners. Through low-interest loans and partnerships with business leaders, ECECD also hopes to license 55 more centers.
How is the state paying for universal child care?
A mix of state and federal money will fund the universal child care program.
New Mexico began laying the groundwork for the program in 2019 with the creation of the ECECD.
The next year, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham created the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund from surplus oil and gas revenues and federal mineral leases.
In 2022, New Mexicans also voted to use a portion of the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund to pay for early childhood education.
Federal money from the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will also go to the program.
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In a family where the parents are undocumented but the child is a U.S. citizen, can the parents apply for child care assistance? If yes, what steps are taken to protect the undocumented parents during the application process?
The child must be a United States citizen, legal resident, or a qualified immigrant. Only the citizenship and immigration status of the child is considered. Under federal regulations (45 CFR § 98.20(c)), eligibility for child care assistance cannot be based on the citizenship or immigration status of the parent.
To protect privacy, information in client files is confidential and only released in limited circumstances. Information from client files may be shared only if the parent has provided consent, there is a court order, or the information is necessary for program administration.
What language options do parents have available when completing the child care assistance application? If the application is not available in the parents’ home language, is a translator or other support available to parents to complete the application process?
If you speak a language other than English or Spanish, language support is available to help you complete the application. Please call 1-800-832-1321 or visit your local ECECD office. You can also contact the ECECD at this link.
