Free Childcare

Starting May 1, 2022, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is waiving all child care assistance copays for families who qualify for the program. Free childcare eligibility has been expanded to families whose incomes are at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. 

New Mexico now has the broadest eligibility for free child care in the nation. If you are working, seeking work, and/or attending school, you may be eligible to receive child care assistance that pays the full cost of your child care - including participating after-school and summer programs for school-age children. 

To see what programs and services you may qualify for, visit www.nmececd.org and click on "apply for services" or call 1-800-691-9067.