Early Childhood Education & Care Department
Early Childhood Education & Care Department - Official State of New Mexico Website
Early Childhood Education & Care Department - Official State of New Mexico Website Skip to contentAbout the Department The Early Childhood Education and Care Department is working to ensure that all New Mexican families and young children have equitable access to high-quality early childhood opportunities. Latest News New Tucumcari facility expands critical child care for Quay County Aug 13, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 13, 2026CONTACT Julia SclafaniPublic Relations Specialist Email: [email protected]: (505) 699–59371120 Paseo De PeraltaSanta Fe, NM 87501TUCUMCARI, N.M. – Turquoise Child Development Center welcomed families into Tucumcari’s... Read more... CACFP provides free meals to thousands of New Mexicans in FY27 Aug 3, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 31, 2025CONTACT Julia SclafaniPublic Relations Specialist Email: [email protected]: (505) 699–59371120 Paseo De PeraltaSanta Fe, NM 87501SANTA FE – The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is providing free nutritious... Read more... The ECECD Community Newsletter Briefing Room May 11, 2026 Updated: May 11, 2026What's Inside? Reminders/Announcements Events Professional Development Sign up to receive weekly updates from ECECD via email! The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department held its 12th Home Visiting Annual Meeting in Albuquerque,... Read more... Most Popular Services Early Head Start/Head Start • Early Childhood Education & Care Department Early Head Start/Head Start is a federally funded program that prepares America's most vulnerable children to succeed in school and beyond. Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Learn More Child Care Services • Early Childhood Education & Care Department The Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB) administers the Child Care Assistance and the Child Care Regulatory Oversight programs. The child care assistance program helps parents/legal guardians who are working, going to school, in a job training program or searching for employment with child care expenses. Learn More Family Nutrition • Early Childhood Education & Care Department ECECD's Family Nutrition Bureau administers two USDA Child Nutrition Programs, the Child and the Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Learn More The Early Show with Alax! • Early Childhood Education & Care Department Alax is here to learn all about caring for young children, sharing tips, resources, and programs that support New Mexico families like you! Learn More Careers • Early Childhood Education & Care Department Come work for us! Learn More Native American Early Childhood Education • Early Childhood Education & Care Department The State of New Mexico is home to 23 Native American Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations – each with a unique language, history, and culture. Equity is a core value that drives ECECD's vision and mission, and ECECD seeks relationships with Tribal governments and Tribal education programs that are respectful, collaborative, and supportive of each community's unique educational goals. Learn More Early Childhood Special Education • Early Childhood Education & Care Department Students with developmental delays or disabilities deserve access to the high-quality supports and services that they need to succeed in school and in life. ECECD administers two crucial programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an important federal law that helps ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate education and support. Parts B and C of IDEA specifically address different aspects of this support system. Learn More New Mexico PreK • Early Childhood Education & Care Department New Mexico PreK (NM PreK) is a free program during the school year that delivers high-quality education in both community-based and school-based settings. NM PreK focuses on providing a fun, rewarding, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children ages three and four. Learn More Families FIRST • Early Childhood Education & Care Department The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), administers Families FIRST, a program designed to empower and support families through every step of their journey. Families FIRST offers a go-to support system during pregnancy, infancy, and throughout the first three years of a child's life for Medicaid-eligible families in New Mexico. Learn More