New Mexico's Child Care Investment: A Recipe for Financial Stability

Shares in the child care industry have seen a significant shift in New Mexico, where state funds have been invested to support the sector. The investment has led to a change in the economics of operating a child care center, resulting in improved working conditions and higher pay for staff. According to Crystal Romero, owner and manager of Early Learning Academy, a child care center in the Albuquerque region, the investment has enabled her to offer full benefits to all employees, including health, vision, dental, and retirement plans. Romero, who has worked in child care for 25 years, noted that the investment has also allowed her to increase staff salaries. In October, she announced a 5-dollar-an-hour raise for all employees, which was met with cheers and applause. The raise has made Early Learning Academy the highest-paying child care program in the state. Romero attributed the success to the state's investment in child care, which has enabled her to provide better working conditions and higher pay for her staff. The investment in child care in New Mexico is part of a broader effort to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education. In 2020, the state allocated funds to support the development of high-quality child care programs. The investment has been successful in attracting and retaining high-quality staff, which is essential for providing quality care to young children. According to Romero, the investment has also enabled her to expand her business. Early Learning Academy is currently under contract to add two more locations in 2026, which will bring the total number of centers to six. The expansion is expected to create new jobs and provide more opportunities for families to access high-quality child care. The success of Early Learning Academy has sparked interest among other child care providers in the state. Some have expressed concerns about the high costs associated with implementing similar programs, while others have praised the state's investment in child care. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether other states will follow New Mexico's lead in investing in child care. The current status of the child care industry in New Mexico is one of growth and expansion. With the state's investment in child care, providers like Early Learning Academy are able to offer better working conditions and higher pay for staff, which is essential for providing quality care to young children. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more states investing in child care to support the development of high-quality early childhood education programs.