New Mexico Launches First US Universal Free Childcare Program

New Mexico has become the first U.S. state to offer free childcare to all residents, aiming to save families approximately $12,000 per child annually while boosting the state's economy and improving child welfare and education. The program is funded largely through a $10 billion Early Childhood Education Fund, supported by oil revenues, and is expected to cost around $600 million per year. To meet the increased demand, the state plans to create 14,000 new childcare slots and hire 5,000 additional educators, supported by a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund to expand facilities and increased reimbursements for providers paying staff at least $18 per hour. This initiative follows growing concerns nationwide about the high cost of childcare, which has forced many parents, especially women, out of the workforce. Meanwhile, in England, a Department for Education survey reveals that over half of early years providers cannot meet parental demand for expanded funded childcare, citing funding, staffing, and space shortages as major barriers. These developments highlight the critical challenges and policy responses surrounding childcare affordability and accessibility in both the U.S. and the U.K.