Information for Early Childhood Professionals
Child Care Services
Mission:
To ensure equal access to high-quality, healthy, safe, and supportive child care environments.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:
The Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB) administers the Child Care Assistance and the Child Care Regulatory Oversight programs. The child care assistance program helps parents/legal guardians who are working, going to school, in a job training program or searching for employment with child care expenses.
The Regulatory Oversight Unit ensures that licensed child care centers and homes and registered homes provide a quality, safe, and healthy environment for children. In collaboration with other ECECD offices, the Child Care Services Bureau plans and coordinates quality child care services (including training, technical assistance, health and safety, and monitoring) and works to build child care capacity statewide.
WHO / WHAT AGE GROUPS IT’S FOR:
Children between the ages of 6 weeks and 13 years, or up to 18 years if special supervision is required.
How people can access the service:
For Child Care Assistance families are encouraged to apply online through Am I Eligible. You may also call or visit a Child Care Services Bureau field office. You will need to provide the following information when you apply for services:
- Current proof of countable earned and unearned income for applicant and biological parent, step-parent, and/or legal guardian living in the household, if applicable
- School schedule, if applicable, for applicant and biological parent, step-parent, and/or legal guardian living in the household
- Documentation of Incapacitation, if applicable
- Documentation of Custody/Dependency, if applicable
- Verification of birth for all applicant children
- Photo Identification for applicant
- Proof of New Mexico residency, such as a lease/rental agreement or utility bill
- ECECD licensed child care provider or registered home provider
To learn more about becoming a Licensed / Registered home or center to provide child care please, click here.
What (if anything) it costs:
The Child Care Assistance Program subsidizes the cost of child care for families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level that are working, seeking employment, and/or in school in a job training program or searching for employment.
Beginning May 1, 2022, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) will waive child care assistance copayments through June 30, 2023 for any family that qualifies for the program.
Helpful links:
- Child Care Services
- Child Care Assistance
- Child Care Licensing and Registered Homes
- ECECD Regional Child Care Regulatory Oversight Offices
- Free meals for children ages 1 to 18
- EPICS
- Provider Dashboard
- Comprehensive Background Checks
- The New Mexico Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan for 2022-2024
- Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB) Materials Library
Early Childhood Special Education
Helpful Links:
Early Head Start/Head Start
Providers:
Head Start provides financial opportunities for educators to gain additional training in a variety of areas while working. These opportunities include child development, health, nutrition, disabilities, mental health, community resources, and more.
Parents and former students also have the opportunity to volunteer and become educators with Head Start.
Helpful Links:
- Head Start Policy and Regulations
- 2021 Annual Report
- Head Start Needs Assessment: 2020 ︱ 2021 ︱2022
- Head Start At-A-Glance: 2020︱2021
- Early Head Start/Head Start: Homelessness Resources
- Recording: New Mexico First Virtual Transition Summit
Families FIRST Program
How to Access the Service:
Providers are welcome to refer any family that they feel would benefit from Families FIRST services; Families FIRST partners with programs like WIC, SNAP, and Text4baby. Contact Families FIRST representatives at 1-877-842-4152.
Helpful Link:
Families First Brochure: English︱Spanish
Brochure includes clinic locations and regional contact information.
Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program
The Family Infant Toddler (FIT) program provides a statewide early intervention system in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C. FIT provides early intervention services to over 14,000 children from birth to age three who have or are at risk of developmental delay—as well as their families.
Providers:
Please see the FIT Providers list for current providers and their contact information. These agencies are funded through a combination of state and federal funds, including Medicaid, IDEA Part C, and private health insurance.
Helpful Links:
Family Nutrition
MISSION:
To contribute to the healthy growth, development, and wellness of young children and adults through nutrition support services in the State of New Mexico.
Why it’s important:
The Family Nutrition Bureau administers two USDA Child Nutrition Programs which provide federal funds to participating institutions to initiate and maintain non-profit food service programs for eligible children and adults.
WHO / WHAT AGE GROUPS IT’S FOR:
The Summer Food Service Program serves children ages 1–18.
CACFP serves all ages, though some CACFP programs serve specific age groups.
Home Visiting
Helpful Links:
New Mexico PreK
Helpful Links:
Child Care Professional Supports
File a Complaint About a Care Provider
You may submit complaints about child care providers by calling the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECECD) Intake Center at 1-888-351-0037 or emailing at ChildCare.Complaint@ececd.nm.gov