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2 | Early Childhood Education and Care Department In 2019, Gov. Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), consolidating all early childhood programs and services into a single cohesive, equitable, and responsive system designed to meet the unique and diverse needs of New Mexico families and young children ages prenatal-to-five. VISION All New Mexico families and young children are thriving. MISSION Optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through a family-driven, equitable, community-based system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood programs and services. Finding the right child care for your family is a very important decision. ECECD’s goal is to make this decision easier by offering valuable information and resources to guide you in making the best choice. Use this guide to: • Understand your child care options and explore what’s available. • Learn about different child care settings and whether they are

licensed and regulated. • Discover additional quality standards that help programs exceed licensing requirements to provide high-quality care, supporting your child’s growth, learning, and preparation for school. This guide will equip you with the information and tools to make an informed choice that benefits both you and your child. Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, and we hope this information helps you succeed and enjoy the rewards of supporting your child’s learning and growth. Sincerely, New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s Child Care Service Bureau About