Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — New Mexico launched universal child care on November 1st but some preschools and 33 child care providers so far are hesitant about opting into the program. Preschools and child care centers are not required to opt in. The program requires child care centers to be open for at least 10 hours a day and pay their employees above a set minimum wage. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department says more than 3,000 child care applications from individuals have been received so far and about 72% of those applications were determined to be eligible. A pre-school and child care center owner in Farmington says she’s holding off on opting in for now due to the uncertainty about long-term funding from the Legislature. The ECECD is asking for a more than 50% increase in funding to pay for the program.
