NM Early Childhood Association

05/29/2026

Lifting Literacy Across New Mexico 📚

The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, implemented by the State of New Mexico’s Public Education Department (PED) and Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), aims to improve the pre-literacy skills of children under age 5 and increase the percentage of students who meet the state’s language and literacy proficiency standards by providing families and educators with high‑quality instructional materials, training in their use, and essential classroom literacy resources.

How Do You Apply?
Submit an application by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Access the application by visiting https://tinyurl.com/mpm6yw4h.

View the Birth – Age 3 flyer here https://tinyurl.com/5h3ux5vy.
View the Age 3 – 5 flyer here https://tinyurl.com/yxmefdj3.

La subvención del Programa Estatal de Desarrollo Integral de la Alfabetización (CLSD), implementada por el Departamento de Educación Pública de Nuevo México (PED) y el Departamento de Educación y Atención a la Primera Infancia (ECECD), tiene como objetivo mejorar las habilidades de prealfabetización de los niños menores de 5 años y aumentar el porcentaje de alumnos que cumplen con los estándares estatales de competencia lingüística y de alfabetización, proporcionando a las familias y a los educadores materiales didácticos de alta calidad, formación para su uso y recursos esenciales de alfabetización para el aula.

¿Cómo se presenta la solicitud?
Envía tu solicitud antes de las 17:00 horas del lunes 1 de junio de 2026.

Acceda a la solicitud visitando https://tinyurl.com/mpm6yw4h.

Vea el folleto para edades de nacimiento a 3 años aquí https://tinyurl.com/5h3ux5vy.
Vea el folleto para edades de 3 a 5 años aquí https://tinyurl.com/yxmefdj3.

Visit nmececd.org for more information about early childhood programs and resources. Be sure to follow to join our community and stay updated! ✨

05/02/2026

A recent post by NM Gubernatorial candidate Duke for NM is trying to compare child care to Medicaid and SNAP and suggests child care doesn’t receive federal funding. That’s misleading.

Here’s what’s actually true: New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program is not fully state-funded. It’s a federally funded program that also includes a state match, similar to many other public benefit programs. The federal government provides significant funding for child care, and those dollars come with clear requirements. They’re intended to support families earning up to 85% of the federal poverty level. This program is not paid for by state taxpayers alone.

It’s true that programs like Medicaid and SNAP have well-known federal funding structures. Child care does too. The difference is that New Mexico chose to go further.

Under Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Legislature, the state expanded eligibility beyond federal limits. Families above those limits are supported through the Early Childhood Trust Fund.
That expansion is funded by the state. The entire system is not.

Let’s be clear about what this program is: This is not free babysitting. Families have to be working, in school, or in job training to qualify. It’s designed to support the workforce and follows federal guidelines.

And this is education: Child care programs are licensed and regulated. Educators are trained professionals, many with early childhood degrees. Programs must meet strict standards for safety, staffing ratios, and learning environments.

Because of these investments, New Mexico has become a national leader in high-quality early childhood programs, including nationally accredited and STAR 5 sites. That means better pay for educators, lower ratios, and stronger outcomes for kids. New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department

Comparing programs without acknowledging how child care is actually funded leaves out key facts. If we’re going to talk about this issue, it’s important to tell the whole story.

04/30/2026

Behind every policy conversation is a real family. A real teacher. A real child.

With the recent lawsuit challenging New Mexico’s child care system, we know there are questions and concerns.

Here’s what we want to make clear:

New Mexico’s child care assistance program makes it possible for parents to go to work, pursue education, and build stability for their families.

This is not “free child care for all.” It requires families to be working, in school, or advancing their careers.

It is a work support system: a hand up, not a handout.

At the New Mexico Early Childhood Association, we support universal access to child care because of what it makes possible:

For child care providers, this system has meant:
• Stability after years of uncertainty
• The ability to support and retain dedicated educators
• A renewed focus on quality and child development

For families, it has meant:
• The chance to say “yes” to a job
• The ability to pursue a degree
• The peace of knowing their children are safe and cared for

Legal challenges like this create uncertainty, which puts progress at risk.

We believe the best path forward is one rooted in listening, collaboration, and shared solutions.

We invite decision-makers to connect directly with the people behind the program. Listen to educators. Talk to families. Visit programs across New Mexico.

Because this isn’t just policy. It’s about real lives, real work, and real opportunity.

04/24/2026

New Mexico is becoming a national leader in early childhood education, but progress doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because of community-based providers delivering:
Extended hours
Wraparound care
Full-day, year-round learning

These programs give children consistency and give working families the support they need to succeed.

With New Mexico now ranking among the top states for preschool access and investment, the impact is clear.

Let’s keep building on this momentum.

Some New Mexico parents say their preschoolers have made impressive gains and more children were enrolled last school year.

04/23/2026

Tune in to hear one of very own!

Discover how Barbara Tedrow, owner of A Gold Star Academy, moved beyond control, fear, and leadership pressure to truly trust her team and step out of day to day operations. Learn how she shifted from carrying the business to leading it with clarity and confidence, with support from Child Care Succe...

04/16/2026

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?

Join us for the National Administrator Credential (NAC) Class happening April 27 – May 1. This nationally recognized program is designed for early childhood leaders who want to strengthen their management skills, build confidence, and lead high-quality programs.

Spots are limited and registration closes April 23, so don’t wait to secure your place.

Invest in your growth. Strengthen your impact. Register today.

https://bit.ly/Spring26NAC

03/23/2026

New Mexico is making waves… and the nation is taking notice!

This past week at the NCCA/NECPA Conference in Memphis, TN, NMECA board members proudly represented our state and let’s just say… NEW MEXICO WAS THE MOST TALKED ABOUT STATE IN THE ROOM!

From Universal Child Care to supporting families and providers, others are looking to NM as the model to follow.

Our very own President, Barbara Tedrow, took the stage on a national Advocacy Panel, energizing leaders from across the country and challenging them to take action in their own states.

New Mexico isn’t just part of the conversation… we’re LEADING it.

03/16/2026

Have you been curious about the National Administrators Credential? Well now's a great time to learn more and get registered for our upcoming class on April 27- May 1 in Albuquerque!

Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/spring26NAC

03/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming Teena Dehne to the New Mexico Early Childhood Association Board of Directors!

Teena is the CFO for TLC Development Centers and brings more than 25 years of experience in early childhood education. As a co-founder of the organization, she has helped grow TLC from the ground up and now supports operations serving over 1,000 children across 8 locations. She also holds a Doctor of Science degree in Child Development.

Teena is deeply committed to advancing professionalism in the early childhood field and advocating for the recognition of educators serving children ages 0–5 as the teachers they are. She also contributes her expertise at the state level through work with early childhood data and workforce initiatives.

Outside of work, Teena enjoys spending time with her children, swimming, crafting, reef keeping, and spoiling her dogs.

We’re excited to have her leadership and experience supporting NMECA’s mission!

03/10/2026

Join us April 27- May 1 at East Gate Kids for the Spring 2026 NAC class.

The National Administrator Credential is a 45-hour, high-quality, educational course designed for directors and administrators! It’s a mark of excellence for professionals who have demonstrated essential and exceptional knowledge in running child care programs.

Register today to save your spot at https://bit.ly/spring26NAC

Extra bonus: If you are located within Albuquerque, Job Training Albuquerque will cover the full cost of this training: https://jobtrainingabq.org/application/