New Mexico is breaking new ground: starting November 1, it will offer universal, no-cost child care to every family, regardless of income—making it the first state in the nation to do so. This builds on earlier expansions that already eliminated costs for families earning up to 400% of the poverty level, now extended to all residents.

Families stand to save an average of $12,000 per child annually. The program isn’t just about affordability—it’s a comprehensive investment in early education and economic stability. To support the expansion, New Mexico is rolling out a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund (with another $20 million proposed in next year’s budget), aiming to add between 12,000 and 13,000 new care slots through licensed centers, homes, and registered providers.

Providers will also receive incentives: those paying entry-level staff $18–$21/hr and offering full-day, full-week hours will secure higher reimbursement rates. Early childhood experts, like Dr. Neal Halfon of UCLA and NAEYC’s Michelle Kang, hail the move as a scalable model for the nation—grounded in both evidence and equity.

New Mexico is showing that when child care is treated as a public good, it benefits families, educators, and the economy alike.