NewMexicoKids Resource & Referral maintains a statewide database of child care providers that are licensed or registered by recognized regulatory agencies in the state of New Mexico. This database is used to provide courtesy referrals at no cost to any family, provider, or community member who requests. Child care providers and their information appear on this list on a voluntary basis. Inclusion in the referral database maintained by NewMexicoKids Resource & Referral is not a recommendation or an endorsement of any child care provider. Information is used to help refer families to providers that might meet the needs of their children in order to assist the family to make an informed choice. NewMexicoKids also maintains a statewide database of other family supports, including Home Visiting Programs, organizations providing basic needs such as food or shelter, financial assistance opportunities, and much more.

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1. Start Early: Finding the right child care option takes time so families must start their child care search as far in advance as possible.
2. Consider Quality: Read the Parent’s Guide to Selecting Quality Child Care to determine what to consider while searching for child care. Consider programs currently participating in New Mexico’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System-FOCUS. These programs are on their way to providing higher quality care for your child. 5-STAR is the highest recognized quality of care.
3. Make Contact: Families can SEARCH HERE or call 1-800-691-9067 (9 AM – 4 PM Monday through Friday) to request a customized child care search.
4. Visit, Ask Questions & Make a Choice: Families should visit the child care options they are considering and ask questions pertaining to issues that are important to them. Make more than one visit to the program before making a final decision. Review CYFD inspection reports on licensed programs to help you make the best decision for your family. Please read our Family Letter for additional information and utilize this Selecting Child Care Checklist to help with decisions.

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New Mexico has specific requirements that programs need to comply with in order to become a New Mexico CYFD state licensed or registered child care provider. Child care licensing in New Mexico is administered by CYFD Child Care Services Bureau. The state regulations governing getting and maintaining licensing or registration, including background check requirements, ratio limits, environment, etc. can be found here. For questions, concerns, or to file a complaint, please contact your nearest CYFD Child Care Licensing Office.

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Please post the update requests to ECSC ticketing system (http://nmecsc.org/support/) or send an email to support@nullnewmexicokids.org.

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New Mexico’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS), provides early childhood program personnel with the criteria, tools, and resources they need to improve the quality of their programs. These quality improvements focus on children’s growth, development, and learning – so that each child has an equitable opportunity to be successful when entering school.

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NewMexicoKids Training and Consultation Hub approves trainers but not the trainings they provide. CYFD Child Care Licensing approves any trainings. For questions or to verify that a training is approved, please contact your nearest Licensing office.

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The criteria for becoming a trainer for early childhood programs is established by Children, Youth, and Families Department and is outlined in this document.

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