The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) announced that its advisory council convened on January 22 to review the 2024 annual report, discuss the state's 60-day legislative session, and plan for 2025. This announcement was made in a press release on January 30.

According to the ECECD, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council reviewed the governor’s budget proposal, legislative updates, and its 2024 annual report. Key advisements included implementing an early development assessment, updating the childcare quality rating system, ensuring pay parity for educators, creating a wage scale, and outlining a five-year finance plan.

"I am thrilled and honored to have such a committed and diverse group of public and private sector partners shaping the development of New Mexico’s prenatal-to-age-5 early childhood system," said ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. "The advisements and recommendations of this Council are thoughtful and relevant to the needs of families in New Mexico."

The advisory council comprises education leaders, early childhood professionals, service providers, Tribal and parent representatives, and community members. It collaborates with stakeholders to enhance New Mexico’s prenatal-to-5 system and fulfills a federal requirement for state early childhood advisory councils. Council member Daisy Lira emphasized the importance of this work by stating that for years, the early childhood community had not had a voice at the table. "Now," Lira said, "another year is starting with voices heard from every corner of New Mexico, sharing the same goal: improving outcomes for the state’s youngest children and their families."

Established by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature in 2019, ECECD officially launched on July 1, 2020. The department coordinates prenatal-to-age-five programs to improve child health, development, and education. It also oversees childcare and nutrition programs for older children and families.