Expanding pre-K, child care and home visiting services
SANTA FE, NM — The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has proposed a $995 million budget for fiscal year 2026.
This funding will maintain and expand the transformative early childhood programs that are improving outcomes for New Mexico’s families and establishing the state as a national leader in early childhood education and care.
The proposed budget reflects a $210 million increase, advancing New Mexico toward its goal of universal, high-quality, and affordable prenatal-to-age-5 services. This investment addresses the urgent needs of families and creates a foundation for long-term success for children, communities, and the state’s economy.
“This budget is a down payment on our state’s economic future,” said ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. “High-quality, affordable early childhood education and care supports families during the important developmental years, setting children up for success in health, education and life. A strong prenatal-to-age–5 system ensures all New Mexico families and children thrive.”
Key budget priorities
The proposed budget sustains and expands New Mexico’s progress in early childhood education and care by funding:
Child care access and quality: Increase Child Care Assistance rates and serve up to 5,000 additional children.
NM PreK expansion: Serve 2,700 more children, expanding access to 70% of 3-year-olds and 93% of 4-year-olds statewide.
Early intervention services: Boost professional development and reimbursement rates to attract and retain Family Infant Toddler program providers.
Home Visiting programs: Expand support for up to 2,400 additional families.
Child care infrastructure: Grow the Child Care Revolving Loan Fund to address supply gaps in underserved areas, and modernize child care data systems for improved efficiency.
Why this funding matters
Research consistently shows that investing in early childhood programs for disadvantaged children can yield a 13% annual return on investment. These benefits include:
Improved outcomes for children: Better kindergarten readiness, stronger health, social-emotional development, and higher graduation rates.
Economic empowerment for families: Expanded Child Care Assistance alleviates a major financial burden, allowing parents—especially mothers—to participate in the workforce, build financial security, and improve their household well-being.
Stronger early intervention: New Mexico leads the nation in identifying infants and toddlers in need of early intervention, saving costs on special education and boosting developmental milestones and school readiness.
Support for small businesses and workforce development: Investments professionalize the early childhood workforce, create well-compensated career pathways, and strengthen child care infrastructure.
Call to action
ECECD urges state lawmakers to support this budget and cement New Mexico’s leadership in early childhood. These investments will give families the tools they need to succeed, prepare children for bright futures, and bolster the state’s economy.
“Every dollar we invest in early childhood today creates opportunities for generations to come,” said Groginsky. “By providing universal access to high-quality early learning, we can transform outcomes for families and reverse longstanding challenges in our state.”