STATE News:SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced an additional $3.5 million investment in New Mexico’s Early Pre-K pilot program, bringing the total investment to more than $10.5 million over the last two years.
“In New Mexico, we’re committed to giving our kids a head start in their education because no matter their background, every child can learn,” Martinez said. “Expanding our investment in this important program helps us ensure that more of our kids start school prepared to learn.”
Through this expansion, access to Early Pre-K will now be available at seven childcare centers in Eddy, Lea, Luna, Santa Fe, and Torrance Counties. The additional funding also allows Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Rio Arriba, San Juan, and Valencia Counties to expand access to 22 additional sites from last year. Together, the expansion will serve more than 530 more New Mexico children with access to Early Pre-K.
The Early Pre-K pilot program, which began in July 2015, provides voluntary early childhood education opportunities to three-year-olds who are not yet eligible for New Mexico Pre-K. Governor Martinez’s administration has invested more than $10.5 million in Early Pre-K over the last two years. Due to the Governor’s continued expansion of the program, 51 childcare centers in 16 counties are now offering Early Pre-K to nearly 1,000 New Mexico children.
“Through Governor Martinez’s leadership, we’re more than doubling the number of three-year-olds who have access to Early Pre-K in New Mexico,” said Children, Youth, and Families Department Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson. “Targeted investments like this will help us continue to improve the quality of life of our children.”
In May, the National Institute for Early Education Research released a State of Pre-K report showing New Mexico improved ten spots in rankings for funding for early childhood education, moving to 18th in the nation.
