The state of New Mexico is on the brink of launching its groundbreaking universal child care initiative on November 1, but many childcare centers are expressing uncertainty about how to proceed. With expectations that this policy could save parents approximately $12,000 per child annually, the atmosphere is charged with both anticipation and anxiety.
Valeria Holloway, owner of Best of the Southwest Daycare in Las Cruces, shares her perspective on the initiative, describing this moment as one filled with unease. “We’re just bracing for whatever happens, because we’re going to move as if everything is the same,” Holloway said. While she is enthusiastic about the potential of universal childcare, she acknowledges that the process leading up to the launch has left much to be desired in terms of guidance from state officials.
The lack of clarity is not unique to her center. Other daycares, including one in Rio Rancho, are also navigating the murky waters of preparation. Parents there have been informed that decisions regarding participation in the program are still pending due to delays in receiving directives from the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
Covenant Schools in Rio Rancho communicated to parents that they await further updates from the state before determining their involvement. “Once official information becomes available, Covenant School will review the guidelines and decide how we will be moving forward with the program,” the school stated in their correspondence.
Holloway, who refers to her work as a calling, emphasizes that the rollout is merely the beginning of an ongoing journey. She notes that with just days left until the rollout, the lack of timely and clear communication has made effective planning exceedingly difficult. She likens the situation to preparing for a hurricane, underscoring the unpredictable nature of what lies ahead.
As New Mexico takes this bold step toward universal child care, the hope is that clarity and support from state authorities will follow, allowing childcare providers and parents to embrace the significant benefits this policy promises. Despite the initial challenges, there is an underlying optimism for a brighter future for families across the state.