Post · bonfire.cafe

In US first, #NewMexico launches #free #childcare for all

Saturday NM became the first #US state to offer free child care to all residents in a bid to boost its #economy & lift #education & #ChildWelfare levels…

NM Gov Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) told reporters #child #care was "the backbone of creating a system of support for families that allows them to work, to go to college, to do all the things they need to do to continue to lift New Mexico out of #poverty."

#law
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-first-new-mexico-launches-free-child-care-all-2025-11-01/?utm_source=braze&utm_medium=notifications&utm_campaign=2025_engagement

Nonilex

@Nonilex@masto.ai replied · yesterday

Under the program, #families, regardless of income, can receive #state #vouchers to cover #public & #private #childcare fees. It culminates efforts #NewMexico has made to expand access to #free #child #care since the governor & state legislature created the Early Childhood #Education & Care Department in 2019.

The launch comes as other #Democratic-run states, cities & counties eye a step popular among working families.

#law

Nonilex

@Nonilex@masto.ai replied · yesterday

To achieve a fully universal system, #NewMexico must create nearly 14k more #childcare slots & recruit 5k #educators, acc/to its #Democratic-run #government. The state is establishing a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund to construct & expand #child #care facilities. It is also increasing reimbursement rates to providers that #pay entry-level staff a minimum of $18 per hour, above the state's $12 hourly minimum wage, & offer full-time care.

#law #DemocratsDidThat

Nonilex

@Nonilex@masto.ai replied · yesterday

Alison McPartlon, director of the University of #NewMexico Taos Kids' Campus #childcare center, said her waiting list is so long some #children do not get in before they start kindergarten. She said the higher reimbursement rates will help her retain & recruit #educators.

"There will be more centers coming up," said McPartlon, describing the shift to #universal child care as "incredible."

#law #DemocratsDidThat

Nonilex

@Nonilex@masto.ai replied · yesterday

#NewMexico joins countries such as #Norway & #Belgium that offer #free #universal #childcare for #children under 3, & #Bulgaria, where early childhood #education is free for all children until elementary school. New Mexico is going further by offering no-cost child care for children up to age 13.

#law #DemocratsDidThat

Nonilex

@Nonilex@masto.ai replied · yesterday

Critics such as #NewMexico State Rep Rebecca Dow, a #Republican, say it makes no sense to give wealthier families free #childcare when they could receive federal #tax breaks for child care included this year in #Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill [but ask her if she’d support free childcare for the poor…🦗].

Dow, the founder of a daycare center, said research showed the best place for a young child was at home & the state should give families tax credits for "mom to stay home" [ #TradWife].

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