How to start a daycare in New Mexico.
New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) licenses child care centers in New Mexico. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in New Mexico, step by step
Get zoning approval
Get final written zoning approval from your city, county or the state.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsGet building approval
Get written building approval, such as a certificate of occupancy.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsGet fire approval
Get written approval from the state fire marshal or your local fire authority.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsGet kitchen approval if you cook
If you cook and serve meals on site, get environmental health approval for the kitchen.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsMake the center accessible
A new center must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsApply
Fill out the application. Send all supporting papers within six months, or it is rejected.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsRun background checks
Get background checks for all staff, educators and volunteers, and anyone alone with children.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education ProgramsPass the first survey
Once your application is complete, the licensing authority schedules a survey of your center.
Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). Its Regulatory Oversight Unit is the licensing authority for child care centers and homes.Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
- Child care center
- Care in a building that is not a homeSource: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
- Annual license
- One year, once every rule is metSource: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
- Temporary license
- Up to 120 days to fix what is missingSource: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
- Indoor space
- 35 square feet per childSource: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
- Outdoor space
- 75 square feet per child using it at one timeSource: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
Good to know
- On tribal lands, the Tribal Child Care and Development Fund Lead Agency oversees and inspects programs.Source: 8.9.4 NMAC: Child Care Licensing; Child Care Centers, Out of School Time Programs, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Care and Education Programs
Run a program in New Mexico? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in New Mexico
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- New Mexico licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in New Mexico
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in New Mexico
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in New Mexico?
The first step: Get zoning approval. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in New Mexico?
New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). Its Regulatory Oversight Unit is the licensing authority for child care centers and homes.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in New Mexico?
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