In New Mexico, childcare is not a luxury—it is essential economic infrastructure. Across our state—especially in Albuquerque and Las Cruces—families rely on early learning centers to work, businesses rely on working parents, and communities rely on strong childcare systems. But the evidence is clear: we are falling short. The State of Child Care 2025 report offers a critical wake-up call.
Consider this: infant care in New Mexico costs over $14,000 on average—more expensive than housing and even in-state college tuition. That is $1,200 per month per child, consuming up to 21% of median family income—three times the 7% affordability threshold set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For working families, this means making impossible trade-offs between rent, work, and childcare.
On the provider side, costs are equally dire. The NWLC report finds that early educators earn just $14.60/hour—far below a living wage—and turnover remains high. Small business owners like Lupe and Ray offer quality care but struggle to pay competitive wages and managing rising operational costs…