Childcare in New Mexico takes many shapes.

You can be an Albuquerque nanny, a preschool teacher in La Cruces, or stay a home dad or dad in Rio Rancho. But one of the best ways to make consistent revenue while you offer child care is to open home-based child care. 

If you wonder how to get your childcare license in New Mexico to open up home-based child care, you’ve come to the right place.

The process to get licensed can seem hard. We are ready to change that. In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide to get your license for opening up a daycare or home-based preschool in New Mexico. 

Want more support? We offer a 12-week virtual training program and partner with Elevate New Mexico to help providers succeed.

How to use this guide

First of all, congratulations on taking this exciting step in your licensing journey! Trust us, we know how confusing state websites can be. Hopefully this guide will demystify some of the requirements.

1. 1. Keep this guide close and check things off as you go ✅ 
   2. Make use of our library of resources for additional support

Join Wonderschool for additional community support

Step 1: Complete and submit the licensing application and supporting documentation

• • Licensing application

• • Zoning approval
  • Fire inspection
  • Activity schedule
  • (If applicable) Environment Department approval may be required under the following circumstances:
  • Private water supply
  • Private waste or sewage disposal
  • Swimming pool
  • Background check clearance for all caregivers and anyone over the age of 18 in the home
  • W-9
  • Non-refundable check or money order for the application fee of $15.00, made payable to the State of New Mexico

Step 2: After receiving your application, a licensing surveyor will call you to either: 

• • Schedule an initial visit; or 
  • Let you know that your packet is not complete.

The initial visit will be scheduled within two weeks of receiving a complete application. At the initial visit, you must demonstrate that you are in full compliance with state licensing regulations. At this point, a license will be issued.

Step 3: Success!

Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and get some rest-- the journey to having a successful program is just beginning!

Start, run, and grow your child care business with Wonderschool

Join Wonderschool for support throughout the licensing process, setting up your environment, making critical business decisions, and running the day-to-day of your program. You don’t have to do this alone!