#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.
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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.
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.
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."
#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.
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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