Need Help Paying for Child Care?

The CYFD Child Care Services Bureau provides families in New Mexico with assistance with for the cost of child care. The CYFD Child Care Services Bureau also works jointly with the Office of Child Development and Family Nutrition Bureau to ensure quality child care through licensure and registration of child care providers.

The Child Care Assistance Program offers assistance with the costs of child care based on the size of your family and your family's income. The assistance payment will be issued directly to the child care provider. You may be responsible for a co-payment based on your need determination. Please visit or contact your local Child Care Assistance Office to determine eligibility or if you have any further questions.

Click here for the 2008-2009 Child Care Income Guidelines.

Click here or scroll down for a list of phone numbers for Child Care Assistance offices.

How Do I Qualify?

• Current check stubs for 1 month (work verification letter if new job).
• Birth verification for all children - even those not receiving benefits.
• Social Security cards for all household members. School schedule.
• Child support, SSI, etc. verification.
• Verification of residency (lease, mortgage, utility bills).

Note: Intake starts at 8:00am.

Intake is on a first-come, first-serve basis Monday thru Friday.
Parents must have a child care provider selected (home daycare or child care center).

If you have any questions, please give us a call!
1-800-832-1321 State Wide
1-800-294-6615 Albuquerque Area

Click here to view the 2005 Market Rate Survey of Childcare Services in New Mexico

How Do I Choose Child Care?

NEW! Parent's Guide to Selecting Quality Child Care [PDF booklet]

You may select any child care provider to care for your children. Child care payments will be made for families only when your child care provider meets licensure and registration requirements established by the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department.

For help looking for child care please call New Mexico Kids Resource and Referral at 277-7900 in the Albuquerque area or 1-800-691-9067 statewide or click here.

For information on the requirements to become a licensed provider, please click here  or call 1-800-832-1321.

For information on the requirements to become a registered provider, please contact your local Child Care Assistance office or call 1-800-832-1321.

Also, refer to the Child Care Regulations for the requirements for child care licensed and registered providers.

If you would like to file a complaint regarding a child care facility or family day care home provider please call 1-800-832-1321.

New Mexico's Child Care Assistance Offices

* Offices that are staffed once a week

+ Offices that are staffed once a week or twice a month.