CNN 5 Things 5 Good Things: This State Made Child Care Free
Dec 13, 2025
New Mexico is leading the way by providing free child care for families, a significant financial relief. Heartwarming stories unfold as a D.C. bus driver influences a young rider who later joins the Metro. In a historic act, a group of nuns returns land to a Native tribe, fostering healing. A lost dog reunites with its owner after five long years, showcasing the power of community. Plus, a groundbreaking women's pro baseball league holds its first draft, marking an exciting moment in sports history.
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State-Level Universal Child Care Test
- New Mexico made child care free for most families, expanding eligibility to all income levels on Nov. 1 and enrolling nearly 6,000 families.
- The program is funded largely by oil and gas taxes and is viewed as a national test case for childcare affordability.
Parent Describes Life-Changing Savings
- First-time parent Emily Wildow shared that childcare previously cost about $1,800 per month and would have nearly doubled her mortgage.
- She says the program will save her family roughly $21,000 a year and relieve major financial stress.
Wide Parental Support Signals Policy Potential
- Broad parental support for childcare assistance crosses political and income lines, according to a BYU/Deseret News survey.
- Observers see New Mexico as a promising model that could influence national policy discussions.