新墨西哥州推出首个美国普及免费儿童保育方案。 11月1日,为6周至13岁的儿童实施,不论家庭收入如何。 New Mexico launches first U.S. universal free child care program Nov. 1 for kids 6 weeks to 13, regardless of family income.

新墨西哥州将于11月1日在美国启动首个普及免费儿童照顾计划, 向父母工作或上学的6周至13岁儿童提供免费照顾, New Mexico will launch the first universal free child care program in the U.S. on November 1, offering free care to all children ages six weeks to 13 years whose parents are working or in school, regardless of income. 这一扩展以现有的代金券制度为基础,该系统目前为大约85%的儿童提供服务,但由于供款短缺、农村准入差距和供款人参与率低,仅达到约21 000名5岁以下儿童。 The expansion builds on an existing voucher system that currently serves about 85% of children but only reaches around 21,000 under-5s due to provider shortages, rural access gaps, and low provider participation. 该州预计需要5 000名新的教育工作者,并正在举行社区会议,以帮助家庭和提供者引导推出。 The state expects to need 5,000 new educators and is holding community sessions to help families and providers navigate the rollout. 该倡议每年可以节省每个儿童的家庭12 000美元,全国都密切关注这项倡议,视其为全国儿童照料改革的潜在模式。 The initiative, which could save families $12,000 annually per child, is closely watched nationally as a potential model for nationwide child care reform.