New Mexico will become the first state in the nation to offer no-cost universal child care starting Nov. 1.
“Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity,” New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release. “By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
The initiative by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department provides free child care regardless of income, but there are some qualifications.
All qualifying children must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, or qualified immigrants, according to the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department. Only the child’s immigration status is considered for child care assistance, not that of their parents or guardians….