On Sept. 8, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that beginning in November, New Mexico will be the first state in the nation to provide all citizens, regardless of income, with free child care. 

The policy will eliminate the previous income requirements for child care eligibility, expected to save families in New Mexico an annual average of $12,000 per child. 

Gov. Lujan Grisham has prioritized education and child care reform since her election in 2018. 

“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,” Lujan Grisham said. 

In 2019, the governor created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department to support early childhood development, child care and nutrition programs supporting families around New Mexico.

This new implementation will result in a large expansion of New Mexico’s child care industry, focused on improving access for infants, toddlers, low-income families and children with special needs. 

Funded by the state’s income from oil and natural gas, New Mexico will provide almost $13 million in loans for child care facilities. The predicted annual education spending will be 26% higher than the current number of $463 million.

The growing industry is also expected to create employment opportunities with an estimated 5,000 additional staff needed to accommodate the universal policy. 

While New Mexico has historically ranked lower compared to other states in the annual National Assessment of Educational Process (NAEP), the governor plans to increase the quality of public education in addition to expanding child care access.

To support the universal policy, New Mexico will provide financial incentives to child care programs that offer their employees high wages and consistent scheduling to better establish the child care system. 

While other states have made steps towards increasing child care access, New Mexico remains a step ahead.