About Infant Toddler Contracted Slots
New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is advancing Universal Child Care through the Infant & Toddler Contracted Slots Pilot Program. The pilot targets the hardest gap in New Mexico’s child care supply: high-quality, stable care for children from six weeks to three years old.
Thirteen approved providers across six counties are participating in the pilot’s first year, which runs from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.
How contracted slots work
Most child care assistance pays providers based on daily attendance, which makes revenue unpredictable — and infant and toddler care, which requires the lowest staff-to-child ratios, the hardest kind to sustain.
Contracted slots work differently. ECECD contracts with a provider for a set number of infant and toddler spaces. The provider reserves those spaces and receives the same fixed monthly payment each month, as long as program and enrollment requirements are met. Payments are based on the number of contracted slots, not on how many days each child attends. The contracted slot not only covers the child’s tuition but covers formula, diapers, wipes, and any other supplies that are required to meet the child’s needs, removing these costs from a family’s overall budget while their child is in care.
That predictability is the point. Stable monthly revenue lets providers hire and retain qualified infant and toddler teachers, invest in quality improvements, and expand the youngest classrooms rather than closing them.
Start care right away: presumptive eligibility
Presumptive eligibility is the first step in determining whether a family may qualify for a contracted slot — and it’s designed so children can begin care without waiting for a full eligibility determination.
Your child care provider walks you through this step. They will ask for:
- Proof that your family lives in New Mexico
- Proof of your child’s identity
- Proof of guardianship, if you are not listed on your child’s identity documents
You will also report your household income, qualifying activities, and assets. Your provider enters this information and, if your child appears to meet the criteria, can enroll your child right away.
One important next step: within 30 days of enrollment, your family must complete the full Child Care Assistance application. The full application asks for the same information, but requires documentation of your income and qualifying activity. Your provider can point you to the application, or you can start it at [Am I Eligible link].
Participating providers
The following thirteen providers hold contracted slots in the pilot’s first year. All serve children from six weeks to 36 months.
Contracted slots are filled by providers directly. Contact a provider below to ask whether they have slots open for enrollment — they’ll walk you through presumptive eligibility from there. For hours, locations, contact information, and licensing details, look up any provider by following this link to the Child Care Finder.
The following thirteen providers hold contracted slots in the pilot’s first year. All serve children from six weeks to 36 months.
| Provider | County |
|---|---|
| Catholic Charities | Bernalillo |
| Ms. Kelli’s | Bernalillo |
| Niños Brillantes | Bernalillo |
| Noah’s Ark – Candelaria | Bernalillo |
| Noah’s Ark – Montgomery | Bernalillo |
| Noah’s Ark – Morris | Bernalillo |
| Bumble Bee | Doña Ana |
| Help NM – Sunland Park Center | Doña Ana |
| New Mexico Children First | Doña Ana |
| Help NM – Alamogordo Head Start | Otero |
| Fundamentals CDC | San Juan |
| Positive Outcomes (Alberta Academy) | Socorro |
| Little Angels | Valencia |
Who the pilot serves
Across all thirteen providers, the pilot supports up to 441 contracted infant and toddler spaces. The program prioritizes:
- Children with developmental delays
- Families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
- Families living in underserved areas
How families can enroll
Contracted slots are filled by providers directly. If you’re interested, contact a participating provider from the list above and ask whether they have contracted slots open for enrollment. They’ll walk you through presumptive eligibility from there.
Information for providers
How payment works. ECECD contracts with participating providers for a set number of infant and toddler spaces. Providers reserve those spaces and receive the same fixed monthly payment each month, as long as program and enrollment requirements are met. Payment is based on the number of contracted slots — not on daily attendance — giving programs predictable revenue to hire and retain qualified infant and toddler staff and provide formula, wipes, diapers and any other supplies that are required to meet the child’s needs as a part of their enrollment..
Applying. The request for proposals for the pilot’s first year has closed. ECECD anticipates opening an additional application round; updates will be posted on this page.
Questions. Contact the program team at ECECD.ITCS@ececd.nm.gov or Program Supervisor Nicole Sutton at nicole.sutton@ececd.nm.gov.