New Mexico has been on a mission to recognize early childhood education and care for what it is: a public good that is essential to families, communities, and our economy.
In 2022, New Mexico voters overwhelmingly affirmed this mission by passing a constitutional amendment for early childhood funding. Now, we're setting our sights even higher. Because of over a decade of advocacy from families, organizers, educators, and community leaders, with bold leadership from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state legislature, we'll be the first state in the nation to offer free child care to all families, regardless of income.
This proposal will bring generational economic relief to thousands of New Mexico families and improve wages for our early childhood educators, who are the backbone of our state's child care system. Bold investments in our families and children pay back dividends, but it's important we iron out the details with input from providers, educators, families, and our communities.
We commend the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) for proposing increased reimbursement rates for providers that pay their workers a more livable wage. This is a values-driven use of our state budget during a time when federal support programs for families and children are under attack, but it's only a temporary fix.
In partnership with stakeholders from across the state, the ECECD developed a comprehensive wage and career ladder, which establishes a robust wage scale that increases early childhood workers' wages based on their level of experience and education. This plan will ensure our state retains and attracts more high-quality workers and meets the current and future needs of New Mexico's families and children. The best part is, it already has the support of child care business owners, workers, and advocates.
A recent child care gap analysis found a shortfall of almost 14,000 child care slots in 2024, with the most significant gaps in Lea, Eddy, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Bernalillo counties. In November, as free child care eligibility expands, we can expect to see the demand for slots rise even more. The ECECD's strategy to increase supply through home-based providers and incentivizing higher wages is the right way to go. A comprehensive wage and career ladder will ensure that those gains can be retained and grow in the future.
While New Mexico builds out child care capacity, we must also make sure that our families with the greatest need come first. When free child care was expanded to include New Mexico families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, there were fewer child care slots utilized by those with the lowest household income. When the state removes income requirements next month, it must keep a close eye on enrollment data so that those with the most need are not left behind.
To ensure quality care for all families, the providers who make it possible must have the resources and support to provide safe and healthy environments, along with competitive wages to attract and keep skilled educators. We strongly support the ECECD's strategy for recruiting and supporting smaller, home-based providers. This will be especially critical in rural and tribal communities, where they are often the backbone of care.
Our vision in New Mexico is clear: universal, affordable, high-quality child care for all families; well-paid educators; and a system grounded in equity and justice. Now, we all have a role to play in making sure the system delivers on its promise for families, providers, and most of all, for our children.
Jacob Vigil is the Chief Legislative Officer for New Mexico Voices for Children.
