Universal Child Care Is Here in New Mexico: A New Mexican Mom’s Review
Universal Child Care Is Here in New Mexico: A New Mexican Mom’s Review
We’ve all seen the headlines: Starting November 1, all New Mexican families who work or go to school can get free child care. But… is that actually true?
Short answer: YES. And this is huge.
Hi, I’m Meghan: a New Mexico mom, founder of Santa Fam, and as of November, a parent to a child who attends school thanks to the state’s Universal Child Care program. I’ll be honest: when I first heard about this, I was skeptical. It felt too good to be real. But the state truly is committed to making this program accessible for every New Mexican family and childcare provider.
To help families navigate this shift, Santa Fam is launching a multi-part informational series which will conclude with an IRL Coffee & Crying with ECECD. Feel free to share any questions by emailing hellosantafam@gmail.com
My Experience:
It’s only been a few weeks, but this program has already transformed my family’s wellbeing and my mental health. Access to child care has given us something priceless: time. Time to work, time to actually be present with my kids, time to take care of our home, and time for myself. I feel less angry, less overwhelmed, and honestly overjoyed to see decades of research on universal child care proving true in my own life.
My youngest had been on a waitlist since he was six months old. I intentionally chose an ECECD-approved provider so that if a spot ever opened, we could use Child Care Assistance. But we didn’t qualify. Even if a slot became available, we couldn’t afford it, and that hopelessness was crushing.
Then everything shifted. When New Mexico announced that all families, regardless of income, would qualify for Universal Child Care, it felt like the clouds parted. Just days after the announcement, I got the call: a spot had opened. The stars aligned, and so did a decade of advocacy and hard work across our state.
How to Apply for Universal Child Care:
The application is officially open. Apply now at nmececd.org/apply-for-services. Below is my breakdown of how Universal Child Care works and what to expect.
Language Support: If you speak a language other than English or Spanish, support is available. Call 1-800-832-1321 or visit an ECECD office for translation help.
How Universal Child Care Works
No income limits: If your family works or goes to school, you can get child care assistance, regardless of income.
No co-pays or fees: Child care in New Mexico costs an average of $12,000 per year, per child, with many families paying far more than that. With Universal Child Care, state and federal funds cover all of that. Families will no longer have to choose between child care and basic needs.
Flexible for real-life schedules: Your care hours no longer have to match your work or class schedule exactly. Families can choose arrangements that match their actual lives.
Who Qualifies
Are all families eligible? Families in New Mexico who work or are in school qualify. Additionally, families do not need to meet work/school requirements if they are:
Grandparents raising grandchildren
Caring for a baby born substance-exposed
Experiencing housing instability
Involved with CYFD
Who Needs to Apply
If your child is already enrolled in child care:
If you currently pay co-pays or fees → you must apply to ECECD so those fees can be removed
If you pay nothing → You’re good! No action needed
If your child is not enrolled in child care: You’ll need to apply.
If you were previously denied due to income: You can now reapply—income is no longer part of the decision.
When & How to Apply
Applications opened November 1, 2025! Apply online at: nmececd.org/apply-for-services
You’ll need:
Current proof of income
Birth verification for all children in the household
School/training verification for adults (if relevant)
Picture ID
Proof of NM residency (ID, lease, utility bill, or similar)
Contact info for your ECECD-approved child care provider
What Happens After You Apply
Once approved, ECECD will schedule a phone call with you and their team to go over all the details - and then you and your selected child care provider will receive a contract for your child. - Your benefits begin the day you initiate the child care application process with ECECD.
If your child is already in care and you pay out of pocket, ask your provider whether they accept ECECD. If they do, you can apply and have assistance cover your costs — no matter your income.
Make sure to work with your Child Care Provider directly and not to forget to stay on top of your application.
Bonus Tip: If you are in Santa Fe, you could always stop by ECECD’s office; their staff is so lovely and helpful, and their waiting room has a wonderful play area! They are located at 1105 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 8 am - 5 pm. Monday through Friday.
ECECD Office Waiting Room + Play Area in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Should I Find a Provider Before I Apply? How to Find an Approved Child Care Provider?
Ideally, yes, you should contact a Child Care Provider, but I understand that many places have long waitlists. I would still try to contact these providers directly, and even if you are on a waitlist, please still apply via ECECD - having real numbers can help inform programming, staffing, infrastructure, etc.
Search statewide at: childcare.ececd.nm.gov You can filter by location, hours, age group, language, quality level, and more.
What Programs Are Included
Universal Child Care covers:
Child care centers
Home-based providers
Before- and after-school care
Summer programs
Programs must be licensed or registered with ECECD.
Is There Enough Child Care?
New Mexico has made big progress, but not every family will immediately find an opening, especially for infants, toddlers, or non-traditional work hours.
To meet demand, ECECD is actively:
Recruiting 1,000 new registered home providers
Growing 120 licensed home programs
Supporting 55 new centers through loans and business partnerships
Need help?
Call UNM Resource & Referral: 1-800-691-9067
Visit an ECECD office: nmececd.org/contact-us
This program was built for our community, for the families who have been stretched too thin for too long, for the caregivers who make our days possible, and for the children who deserve stability and opportunity from the very start. And like anything new and ambitious (especially anything involving kids!), there will be growing pains. Systems this big don’t change overnight. Providers will need time to adjust, families will need support navigating the process, and the infrastructure will keep evolving as the state learns what’s working and what needs fixing.
But even with the inevitable bumps, I’m holding tight to the simple, extraordinary truth: this is happening. New Mexico chose to invest in families at a scale most states are only dreaming about. We’re watching the foundation of a universal child care system being built in real time, one that centers equity, dignity, and the belief that caregiving should never be a barrier to stability or opportunity.
There’s so much still to learn, improve, and grow into. It’s a cultural shift and it belongs to all of us.
A Final Thought
I know firsthand that when families are supported, entire communities thrive. Universal Child Care is one of the biggest investments New Mexico has ever made in parents, children, grandparents, Tias/Tios, and the future of our state, and I’m genuinely thrilled to help families navigate it.
New Mexico families deserve this. And finally… we’re getting it.
