Day care owners and parents weigh in on if the influx of children with a universal child care system is sustainable in New Mexico.

Tuesday’s Top Stories Tuesday’s Five Facts [1] Governor announces New Mexico will now provide free universal child care – Starting in November, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department will implement free childcare across the board.

In announcing the initiative, New Mexico will become the first state to guarantee universal child care, though other Democratic-led states have also greatly expanded universal early childhood education in recent years. The program may offer a blueprint for other states on an issue that was prominent during the 2024 presidential campaign.

New Mexico is set to become the first U.S. state to offer universal child care. Starting in November, it will offer free care to all families regardless of their income. New Mexico already has the most expansive child care assistance in the country. Since 2021, it’s offered free care to most households.