New Mexico becomes first state to offer free childcare for all: ‘model for the nation’

Move is expansion of existing program that has helped lift tens of thousands of people out of poverty

New Mexico will become the first state to offer free universal childcare, the governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this week, an expansion of an existing program that has helped lift tens of thousands of people out of poverty.

Beginning 1 November, the state will guarantee no-cost childcare to all residents, regardless of their income level in what the governor’s office described as a “groundbreaking new initiative”.