Regulatory Oversight Unit
Submit an Application Online
Beginning February 14, 2026, the New Mexico Child Care Licensing and Registration Portal, developed in partnership with Wonderschool, offers a secure online option to complete and submit licensing and registration materials. Child care provider licensing and registration requirements have not changed. The portal improves how applications are submitted and reviewed while maintaining all existing standards. Although fillable forms will remain available, the portal eliminates the need to print, scan, fax, email, mail, or hand-deliver licensing and registration applications.
Regulatory Oversight Unit
The Regulatory Oversight Unit, within the Child Care Services Bureau, ensures that licensed and registered child care homes, child care centers, and out-of-school-time programs, provide a quality, safe, and healthy environment for children according to standards detailed within the child care licensing regulations.
The Regulatory Oversight Unit staff also provide training and technical assistance to child care providers to help them understand how to meet and maintain compliance with the licensing requirements and to build child care capacity statewide.
Despite the best childproofing and safety efforts, childhood accidents sometimes happen. Child care providers are required to notify parents or guardians in writing of any incident, including some illnesses, that threaten the health or safety of children in their care. They also must report to the Regulatory Oversight Unit any fatality or serious injury that requires medical attention.
An aggregate data report about reported serious injuries, substantiated child abuse and deaths in child care is available for your view (PDF uploaded February 19, 2025). The aggregated report is updated annually.
Become a Child Care Provider
Download the Centers, Licensed Home or Registered Home Childcare Provider packet from the Child Care Regulatory Oversight Unit Materials Library below.
How to report concerns about care in a child care facility and suspected child abuse:
If you have a concern regarding the care that is being provided within a child care facility or home, please report your concerns to the ECECD Intake Hotline at
1-888-351-0037 or email us at:
Quick Links
Tell Us How We're Doing: CCSB Feedback Form
ECECD wants to hear about your experience with the Child Care Services Bureau (CCSB). CCSB administers Child Care Assistance and the Regulatory Oversight Unit.
- The Child Care Assistance program offers free child care to eligible families with the goal of supporting parents and caregivers to work or pursue education.
- The Regulatory Oversight Unit ensures that licensed and registered child care providers adhere to ECECD requirements for quality, safe, and healthy environments for children.
Your input helps ECECD understand what we’re doing well and where we can make improvements. Thank you for participating!
In English and Spanish.
Employers Resources
Employer’s Guide to Supporting Employee Child Care
Updated Jan. 2023
As a business owner, you are faced with unique challenges when looking to recruit, hire, and retain employees. One of many significant challenges comes from parents needing assurance that they have a safe environment for their children while at work. The Employer’s Guide to Supporting Employee Child Care outlines options, steps to implementation, and how ECECD – Child Care Services Bureau can support you.
Child Care Provider Tools
Updated June 2025 │ English and Español
ECECD funds several tools to provide FREE administrative support services to childcare providers!
Comprehensive Background Check Process
All child care providers in licensed child care centers, licensed child care homes and registered child care homes must have a background check completed every five years.
Existing Child Care Providers
Click here to easily access applications for Renewals, Background Check Transfers for staff and Waiver/Variance Forms from the Child Care Regulatory Oversight Unit Materials Library below.
Mandatory Training Requirement for New Employees
Updated Nov. 2024 │ English and Español
View the mandatory New Mexico Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) professional development courses for all new employees. Available in English and Spanish.
Document Library
FOCUS Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System
Early Childhood Services encourages child care programs to meet higher levels of quality through the FOCUS Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System. This system contains five levels – the higher the Star level, the higher the level of quality. The level of quality is indicated on each program’s license with one, two, three, four, or five stars; one star indicates that the program meets basic licensing requirements and five stars indicate that the program has received national accreditation. Licensing surveyors work closely with Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance Programs who rate the quality of licensed child care programs.
For more information on FOCUS click here.
Contact Information
For information on Child Care Licensing, contact your regional Child Care Licensing office, or call Early Childhood Services at 1-800-832-1321 or by email at ececd-ecs-customersevice@ececd.nmm.gov