.2 Billion Requested for Expansion of Universal Child Care and Pre-K Programs

New Mexico’s ECECD Seeks .2 Billion Investment in Early Childhood Education

SANTA FE – The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) of New Mexico is embarking on a bold initiative to secure .2 billion aimed at significantly enhancing the state’s early childhood system. This comprehensive funding request, presented to the Legislative Finance Committee for Fiscal Year 2027, emphasizes the need for universal childcare and preschool accessible to all three-year-olds across New Mexico.

The proposed budget reflects a substantial increase of 6.2 million over the previous fiscal plan, with the objective of expanding access, elevating quality, and constructing enduring infrastructure that will benefit New Mexico’s youngest residents and their families. Notably, approximately 92 percent of this financial ask is earmarked for direct program support and provider reimbursements, underscoring the administration’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports early childhood development.

A breakdown of the overall funding request reveals that 2 million is designated for childcare assistance, 8.6 million for the New Mexico PreK program, and .7 million allocated to early intervention services. These allocations aim to address the critical inconsistencies between the costs of quality early childhood services and the financial constraints many families face.

ECDCD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky articulated the department’s vision, stating, “Real solutions take time, coordination, and the courage to make investments for future generations.” Groginsky emphasized the importance of this budget request as a means to consolidate and build on New Mexico’s historic progress in early childhood investment, striving to ensure high-quality early learning opportunities are available throughout the state.

Early Indicators of Success with Universal Child Care

The implementation of Universal Child Care on November 1 has already yielded promising outcomes, as evidenced by the increasing number of children benefiting from assistance. Since the launch, 7,036 children from 6,206 families have received approval for childcare support, with one-third of these newly enrolled families already qualifying based on income levels. Additionally, the proportion of serviced infants and toddlers has risen dramatically, with 39 percent in this age group now included, up from 29 percent before the expansion. Impressively, 75 percent of enrolled infants and toddlers are placed in 4- or 5-star accredited care facilities, indicating a significant emphasis on quality.

Allocation of New Funds

The proposed 6.2 million increase is directed primarily towards family services, with over 6 million maintaining a strong focus on direct assistance. Specific allocations include:

– Universal Child Care – 0.6 million: Ensuring continued universal access while increasing capacity to accommodate an additional 12,000 children. This also includes adjustments to provider reimbursement rates that reflect the genuine costs of quality care, including raising educator wages to an -per-hour baseline.

– New Mexico PreK – million: Expanding preschool offerings within both educational institutions and community settings, thereby working towards universal coverage for three-year-olds.

– Home Visiting Services – million: Enhancing family support services that now reach every county in New Mexico.

– Early Intervention Services – million: Strengthening programs designed to assist infants and toddlers with developmental delays, an area where New Mexico recently distinguished itself as a leader in identifying such issues in infants under 12 months.

The remaining .6 million is allocated for data systems, technical assistance, and capacity building to support long-term growth.

Additionally, the budget proposes .4 million in special appropriations. This includes million for a childcare revolving loan fund aimed at expanding facilities, million for implementing professional wage scales for educators, and funds set aside for quality improvements in childcare and PreK programs.

As New Mexico continues its strategic efforts to enhance early childhood education, these proposed investments are poised to deliver both immediate and long-lasting benefits for families across the state, reaffirming New Mexico’s commitment to being a national leader in early childhood education.