How to start a home daycare in New Mexico.
New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) oversees home daycares in New Mexico. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare New Mexico allows
Registered family child care home
Up to 4 children who do not live there
The caregiver may care for no more than 4 children from outside the home at once.
Source: 8.9.5 NMAC: Non-Licensed Child Care; Requirements Governing Registration of Non-Licensed Family Child Care HomesFamily child care home
5 to 6 children
A private home that must be licensed.
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 ProgramsGroup child care home
7 to 12 children
A licensed home, or another building on the same property.
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
Starting a home daycare in New Mexico, step by step
Get zoning approval
Get 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 fire approval if needed
If it applies to you, get written approval from the state fire marshal or 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 ProgramsFence an outdoor play area
Your home needs an outdoor play area with a fence around it.
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 ProgramsDescribe your activities and schedule
Include a description of your planned activities and daily schedule.
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 fingerprinted
You, your household members, and any staff or volunteers there during care need fingerprint background checks.
Source: 8.9.6 NMAC: Governing Background Checks and Employment History VerificationPass the first survey
Once your application is complete, the licensing authority schedules a survey of your home.
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 oversees home daycares
- 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
- Who runs it
- The licensee lives in the home and is the main educatorSource: 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
- Your own children
- Your children under 6 count toward the totalSource: 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
- 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
Good to know
- A registered home signs up to join the food program or child care assistance.Source: 8.9.5 NMAC: Non-Licensed Child Care; Requirements Governing Registration of Non-Licensed Family Child Care Homes
- 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 daycare in New Mexico
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in New Mexico?
The first step: Get zoning approval. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares 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.
How many children can a home daycare in New Mexico care for?
Registered family child care home: Up to 4 children who do not live there. Family child care home: 5 to 6 children. Group child care home: 7 to 12 children.
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.
See it with your name on the door.
Get startedor see it work
Sign up today, free, and set up in an afternoon.