Updated: July 7, 2026
What’s Inside?
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Reminders/Announcements
Public Rule Hearing: Proposed Amendments to 8.9.3 NMAC and 8.9.4 NMAC
ECECD is working to ensure all New Mexican families and young children have access to high-quality early childhood programs. To help with this, ECECD is proposing amendments to the following rules:
- 8.9.3 NMAC — Child Care Assistance: Requirements for Child Care Assistance Programs for Clients and Child Care Providers
- 8.9.4 NMAC — Child Care Licensing: Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
Purpose of the proposed rules
ECECD is proposing amendments to 8.9.3 NMAC to update the Child Care Assistance Program to reflect current statutory and federal requirements, including the requirements of the Child Care Assistance Program Act. ECECD is proposing amendments to 8.9.4 NMAC to update military-licensed child care centers to align with federal law, update out-of-school program requirements to align with other funding streams that support school-age children, and update and align ratios and group sizes for certain accredited child care centers.
Summary of the proposed rules
Proposed amendments to 8.9.3 NMAC will align definitions and program structure with statutory requirements and reorganize sections for clarity. They refine the application process and eligibility criteria for the Child Care Assistance Program — including eligibility documentation requirements, qualifying activities, hours-of-care criteria, and limitations on eligibility. They also include: a new copayment section and fiscal control provisions to guide copayments and waitlist measures; provider requirements and billing restrictions; provider compensation expectations; at-risk child referral and training requirements; provider reporting obligations; and prohibitions on supplanting funds or requesting unauthorized payments, with corresponding sanctions for noncompliance. The amendments clarify departmental responsibilities — including fund usage, service caps, and establishing payment rates through a cost-estimation model — and update sanctions and enforcement provisions, including reporting requirements for any suspected intentional misuse of funds.
Proposed amendments to 8.9.4 NMAC update military-licensed child care centers to align with federal law, update out-of-school program requirements to align with other funding streams that support school-age children, and update and align ratios and group sizes for certain accredited child care centers.
A copy of the proposed rule is available on the ECECD website under Regulation Changes.
The public rule hearing
ECECD will hold a public rule hearing on July 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in person at Apodaca Hall in the PERA Building, 1120 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502, and online via Zoom and phone.
The hearing will be conducted in a fair and equitable manner by an ECECD agency representative or hearing officer and will be recorded. Any interested member of the public may attend and will be given a reasonable opportunity to offer public comment — orally or in writing, including data, views, or arguments — on the proposed rules during the hearing. Oral comments are limited to two minutes per person.
How to submit written comment
Written public comment may be submitted:
- By email to ECECD-ECS-PublicComment@ECECD.NM.Gov with the subject line “8.9.3 NMAC and 8.9.4 NMAC Public Comment”
- By first-class mail to P.O. Drawer 5619, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-5619
- In person at the Old PERA building, 1120 Paseo de Peralta, on July 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Written comments will be accepted until the end of the public hearing on July 9, 2026.
Accommodations
If you are a person with a disability and would like to request accommodations, or a person with limited English proficiency and need interpretation, please contact ECECD at ECECD-ECS-PublicComment@ECECD.NM.Gov or 505-670-8993 at least ten calendar days before the scheduled public rule hearing.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Maria Spray at maria.spray@ececd.nm.gov.
Children's Cabinet Convenes to Advance Cross-Agency Priorities
On June 17, 2026, forty members of the Children’s Cabinet met to discuss communications with legislators, cabinet updates, and cabinet-wide communications across agencies.
The meeting featured two presentations:
YMCA Youth & Government. The YMCA Youth & Government team — including state director Hannah Wood, regional development coordinator Jasmine McKinney, 2026 Youth Lieutenant Governor Miller Millea, and 2027 Youth Lieutenant Governor Olivia Villareal — shared their program, the bills passed in this year’s mock legislature, and opportunities for collaboration, including allowing youth to serve as Cabinet advisors and provide input on legislation.
Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD). Kyra Ochoa, Division Director of Long-Term Care at ALTSD, provided updates on the kinship caregiver pilot program, which supports kinship caregivers financially and through navigation.
Members also met within their domains to discuss individual and Cabinet-wide goals guiding the transition through the administration. The meeting generated robust conversation and clear action steps.
Emergency Rule Change: 8.9.4 NMAC, Effective July 1, 2026
Below is information about ECECD’s emergency amendments to child care home licensing rules.
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is working to ensure all New Mexican families and young children have access to high-quality early childhood programs. To support that goal, ECECD has adopted emergency amendments to the following:
8.9.4 NMAC — Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
Purpose of the emergency amendments
ECECD has adopted emergency amendments to Sections 8.9.4.3 and 8.9.4.31 NMAC to align its child care home licensing rules with Senate Bill 96 (SB 96), passed during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session and effective July 1, 2026. SB 96 clarifies that child care homes must be considered a residential use of property for zoning purposes and be permitted by right, and it limits the additional zoning regulations and requirements local governments may impose on child care homes. Without these amendments, ECECD’s existing rules would conflict with state law as of July 1, which could create confusion, delay or disrupt the licensing of child care homes, and impair the child care services that families rely on.
Summary of the emergency amendments
In summary, the amendments update the statutory authority in Section 8.9.4.3 NMAC to reflect current law. The amendments to Section 8.9.4.31 NMAC revise the zoning and approval requirements for licensed homes: an applicant will provide current written verification of zoning compliance from the appropriate city, county, or state authority, and the prior requirement for separate written approval from the state fire marshal’s office is removed for homes.
Emergency rule status
These amendments were adopted as an emergency rule pursuant to Section 14-4-5.6 NMSA 1978 and took effect July 1, 2026. An emergency rule remains in effect for up to 180 days unless it is made permanent through the standard rulemaking process.
Lifting Literacy Across New Mexico: CLSD Grant Reopened for Licensed Child Care Providers
Lifting Literacy Across New Mexico (Birth–Age 3) and (Ages 3–5)
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.
Who Can Apply? (Birth–Age 3)
- Early Head Start programs
- Family Infant Toddler programs
- Home Visiting programs
- Licensed Child Care providers
Who Can Apply? (Ages 3–5)
- NM PreK programs
- Head Start programs
- 619 Special Education Classrooms
- Licensed Child Care providers
How Do You Apply?
Submit an application by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2026. Click here to access the application.
If you already submitted an application, you do not need to reapply!
What Will You Get? (Birth–Age 3)
Approved programs will receive Just Right Reader Board Books to distribute to the families that they serve. The board books engage babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with joyful, research-based books that nurture language development, early literacy, and kindergarten readiness. Books will be delivered in Fall 2026.
What Will You Get? (Ages 3–5)
Approved programs will receive a comprehensive literacy support package including:
- Just Right Reader Science of Reading Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ for each child in your program
- Heggerty phonological and phonemic awareness materials and professional development sessions
- Strive for Five Conversations, a tool to increase vocabulary, reasoning, and comprehension by engaging children in responsive conversations
- Scholastic Cozy Corner materials that support oral language, literacy, and social-emotional skills
All materials will be delivered in Fall 2026.
Questions? Please email clsd.literacy@ped.nm.gov
Events
July Early Childhood Community Call
You’re Invited to participate in July’s Early Childhood Community Call!
Join ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky and special guests on the first Tuesday of every month from 8–9 a.m., to discuss important issues pertaining to the New Mexico early childhood community.
The next Early Childhood Community Call will be Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Did you miss the most recent Community Call?
Click here for the recording (Spanish translation is available under audio settings)
Presentation: July Community Call Presentation (PDF)
Zoom Meeting Details (same link every meeting):
Click here to Join via Zoom
- Telephone: 669-900-9128 or 253-215-8782
- Webinar ID: 958 5783 9577
Individuals who require a disability-related accommodation or language access services to participate in this event are asked to contact ececd-access@ececd.nm.gov at least 10 days in advance of the scheduled meeting.
You're Invited: ECECD Office Hours Supporting Implementation of Senate Bill 96 (SB 96)
The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) invites providers, municipalities, planners, and community partners to join upcoming Office Hours designed to support the implementation of Senate Bill 96 (SB 96). This new law establishes a consistent statewide zoning framework that makes it easier to create and operate child care programs, helping expand access to high-quality care by ensuring zoning rules are clear, predictable, and supportive of both providers and families.
Virtual Office Hours Schedule
- Thursday, July 16 | 4–5 p.m.
- Thursday, July 23 | 12–1 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 28 | 5–6 p.m.
- Thursday, July 30 | 6–7 p.m.
Zoom Link Coming Soon!
What We’ll Cover During Office Hours
- How SB 96 streamlines zoning for licensed and registered child care homes and centers
- What “by-right” zoning means for residential, commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family zones
- Key updates from emergency rulemaking to 8.9.4 NMAC, including new fire and safety processes and documentation changes
- Resources available to providers and municipalities, including fact sheets, a policy guide, and a licensing guide to support implementation
Who Should Attend
- Child care providers
- City and county officials
- Community partners and planning professionals
Why Attend?
These office hours provide direct access to ECECD staff who can answer questions, clarify requirements, and support the consistent implementation of SB 96 across New Mexico. Child care is treated as a community necessity under the new framework, and these sessions help ensure everyone has the information needed to move forward confidently.
Individuals who require a disability-related accommodation or language access services are asked to contact ececd-access@ececd.nm.gov at least 10 days in advance of the scheduled session.
Save the Date: Sacred Roots, Sovereign Futures Convening
September 9–11, 2026 | Buffalo Thunder Resort, Pojoaque, New Mexico
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Education and Care invites Tribal leaders, early childhood professionals, educators, families, community partners, and advocates to join us for the inaugural Sacred Roots, Sovereign Futures Convening.
This statewide gathering will bring together representatives from the Nations, Pueblos, Tribes, and Urban Native communities across New Mexico to strengthen relationships, share promising practices, celebrate Indigenous knowledge, and advance a collective vision for Native American early childhood systems.
Convening highlights:
- 🌱 Day 1: State & Tribal Leadership Dialogue
- 🌱 Day 2: Program, Family & Community Voices
- 🌱 Day 3: Celebratory Brunch Honoring Our Children
Together, we will explore opportunities for nation-building, collaboration, language and culture revitalization, and supporting Native children and families through community-driven solutions.
Registration and additional details are coming soon. For now, please mark your calendars and plan to join us as we honor our sacred roots and shape sovereign futures for the next generation.
Professional Development
Coalition Spotlight: PB&J Coalition
ECECD supports 18 Local Early Childhood System Building Coalitions across 14 counties, each working to strengthen its community’s ability to deliver quality programs and services for children from birth to age 5. These coalitions advance the New Mexico Early Childhood Strategic Plan and ECECD’s five-year plan, Florecer (2022–2027), by fostering local-state partnerships and community-driven solutions.
Each issue of the Briefing spotlights one coalition. This issue, we’re featuring the PB&J Coalition, based in Albuquerque’s International District.
The coalition’s mission is to support the healthy growth and development of children from birth through age five by strengthening families and building a connected, responsive community. This work is grounded in the belief that nurturing relationships within families and across communities are the foundation for lifelong well-being.
Recent highlights:
- The coalition recently delivered a trauma-informed training, an explicit priority in its strategic plan aimed at strengthening prevention and building community capacity to address trauma. Educators walked away with concrete strategies for creating safe, supportive, and responsive learning environments.
- The coalition moved that training straight into classroom practice. Teachers are now using trauma-informed approaches that address underlying risk factors while building protective ones — resilience, emotional regulation, and student engagement.
Connect with the coalition: Stacey Carrasco — Stacey@pbjfamilyservices.org. Learn more at: PB&J Family Services
Live: New Mexico’s Professional Development Information System
New Mexico’s Professional Development Information System (PDIS) is now live. This free online platform centralizes education tracking, credentials, required trainings, and wages for all early childhood professionals.
Enrollment Deadlines
- Wednesday, July 1, 2026: Home Visiting and FIT programs.
Create Your PDIS Profile by clicking this link for the PDIS page on NMECECD’s website.
Support and Accessibility
- Technical Support: Email PDIS-Support@ececd.nm.gov
- Accommodations: To request an accommodation or ASL or spoken language interpretation, contact Maria Spray by phone at 505-670-8993 or click here to email at least five business days before your planned session.
FOCUS Professional Development substitution: Two college courses now substitute for three FOCUS trainings
New Mexico educators now have the option to substitute certain college courses for three FOCUS training requirements. The substitution provides a path toward higher education while protecting educator time in the classroom.
The substitution
Either of the following college courses may be substituted for three FOCUS trainings:
- Guiding Young Children
- Family and Community Collaboration
Why it matters
The change credits prior coursework that already covers the content of three FOCUS modules — reducing duplicative training time for educators who’ve already learned this material in a college setting and reinforcing the higher-education pathway as a credential-building option.
Next steps
The full FOCUS training substitution flyer lists the eligible courses, the specific FOCUS trainings they substitute for, and the steps to apply the substitution. The flyer is available in English and Spanish.
The New Mexico Panic Button: One-tap emergency response for early childhood programs
The Rave Panic Button is a mobile application designed to quickly alert authorities and simultaneously notify all on-site staff of an emergency at an early childhood program.
How it works
When activated, the Panic Button:
- Contacts authorities immediately, providing emergency responders with the program’s location and incident type
- Notifies all staff on-site at the same time, so emergency response protocols can begin without delay
- Reduces response time on both ends — staff coordination is faster, and first responders arrive better informed
Why it matters
In an emergency, the gap between an incident and an organized response is what costs the most — both in safety risk and in cognitive load on staff trying to coordinate while managing children. A single tap collapses that gap.
Learn more
Statewide CLASS Observations Underway!
New Mexico is now conducting CLASS observations to gather a statewide baseline of educator and child interactions. This effort is for data collection only and will not affect your FOCUS star-level or reimbursement rate in any way.
To learn more about CLASS, free webinars and PD opportunities are available on the New Mexico Early Learning System (NMELS). Just visit www.nmels.org and search CLASS.
Programs were selected intentionally to create a representative sample across all settings including PreK and head Start, all Star-Levels, FOCUS participation status, and nationally accredited programs. Your participation helps ensure the FOCUS Redesign reflects real classroom experiences and strengths.
Thank you for your partnership and commitment to high quality early learning.