A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this week in Santa Fe to commemorate the opening of the first on-site child care facility for children of state employees.

The child care facility was constructed from a converted space in the Montoya Building and is operated in partnership with the Little Explorers Child Development Center, a KRQE report said. Organizers hope the facility encourages other communities in the state to develop child care options for working families.

“We want communities to see they can forge these kind [sic] of partnerships and create their own child care supply to meet the unique needs of families in their communities,” Elizabeth Groginsky, Early Childhood Education & Care Department secretary, told KRQE.

One dad told KRQE his daughter was chosen to attend the facility through a lottery system, and that assistance from the state is helping pay the child care costs.

Little Explorers announced the partnership on its Facebook page.

“We are excited to announce we have partnered with the State of New Mexico and we will be offering child care services in Santa Fe for state employees," the post said. "We are now accepting applications for those who are interested in this service. Please contact us if you have any questions!”