How New Mexico’s Grassroots Movement Won Universal Free Childcare

On a cold morning in 2018, Sandra Ibarra made her first protest sign and joined a rally despite being a newly arrived immigrant and afraid of demonstrations. After moving from Mexico and retraining to work in childcare because recertifying as an accountant proved difficult, she found herself earning minimum wage despite teaching, cooking, cleaning and managing a small center. Encouraged by a classmate, she began attending weekly actions with Olé, a grassroots group organizing working-class families and childcare workers.

A grassroots movement builds power

Olé helped mobilize hundreds of largely immigrant childcare workers across New Mexico. Workers organized marches, emailed legislators, testified at city council meetings, held a yearly Day Without Child Care and staged a 1,000-kid march in 2014. Over seven years, these efforts grew into a broad coalition of parents, educators, researchers, faith groups and advocacy organizations focused on expanding access to early childhood education and improving wages for providers.

“When we are many and united for the same cause, they ask, ‘What do you want?’” Ibarra recalled in Spanish. “All the work we’ve done is for the teachers, but above all for the families.”

Finding a funding path: the land grant permanent fund

Advocates determined that funding universal childcare through new taxes or the general fund would be politically difficult. Instead, they proposed using New Mexico’s land grant permanent fund — a long-standing trust fed by oil and gas revenues and already supporting K–12 education. Because using the trust for early childhood required changing the state constitution (and technical clearance from Congress because of language dating to statehood), the strategy required years of organizing, legislative work and a ballot campaign.

Changing the political landscape

Between 2011 and 2021 advocates repeatedly introduced bills and built public support. A coalition called Invest in Kids Now brought together Olé, Catholic philanthropic groups and policy organizations to coordinate outreach. Shifts in the state legislature — including more women, former teachers and working-class candidates winning seats — helped create the political majority willing to back a constitutional amendment.

From amendment to federal approval

Lawmakers passed the amendment in the state legislature in 2021 and the measure went to voters in November 2022, where it passed with 70.3% support. Because of the fund's legal structure, congressional approval was required; the amendment was added to the federal omnibus package and signed into law on December 23, 2022. That cleared the way to direct permanent-fund returns toward early childhood programs.

Rolling out universal childcare

Implementation came in stages. Initially, childcare was made free for families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level — roughly $124,000 for a family of four — covering about half of the state's children. On September 8 this year, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order extending free childcare to all families regardless of income, effective November 1. The program includes an incentive: centers that pay entry-level staff at least $18 an hour qualify for an enhanced state rate.

Workforce, wages and guarding against privatization

Advocates celebrate the expansion but caution that the work is not finished. Current entry-level wages around $18 an hour are still inadequate for many, especially degree-holders and single parents. Organizers are pressing for a clear career ladder and pay scale to attract and retain workers, expand rural access and ensure program quality. Lawmakers also express concern about preserving nonprofit and locally run care rather than allowing private-equity or out-of-state firms to profit from state contracts.

Looking ahead

Supporters point to the land grant trust's growth — currently valued at roughly $65 billion and projected to increase over the coming decade — as a funding foundation for further social investments. Advocates are already considering whether the same playbook could advance other priorities, such as broader health coverage. For frontline workers like Ibarra, the program represents both a policy victory and an effort to improve daily life for teachers and families across the state.