Mamdani is promising free childcare in NYC. Here’s how New Mexico did it — and gave caregivers a raise in the process.

***From Business Insider’s Brian Delk:***

New York City’s next mayor, Zohran Mamdani, promised free childcare to New Yorkers. New Mexico might be writing the blueprint.

New Mexico’s new policy, which took effect on November 1, made childcare access universal to parents across the state by eliminating income limits and copays for childcare. Childcare workers are also slated to get a raise.

It could be a model for New York City. Mamdani proposed expanding childcare in the city, starting with creating more slots for kids from six weeks to 5 years old. Some of the city’s business executives agreed with his proposal for universal childcare, even if they opposed many of his plans aimed at boosting affordability.

Childcare has increasingly outpaced inflation and forced families to find other cost-effective solutions to day care deserts. Previously, New Mexican parents ineligible for full subsidies were paying an average of $12,000 a year per child. The state’s government aims to boost its economy by putting money back into the pockets of parents.

“That’s huge to a family’s budget,” said Julie Kashen, senior fellow and director for women’s economic justice at The Century Foundation, a progressive, nonpartisan think tank. “That makes a really big difference in what else they can afford, what they can save for the future, how they can get out of debt.”

It also allows parents to go to work with peace of mind, Kashen added. Without reliable childcare, parents call out of work when their kids are sick or have a day off school. For working parents, “childcare is the backbone of our economy,” she said.

[Read more about how New Mexico’s childcare policy could help shape Mamdani’s plan for New York City here. ](https://www.businessinsider.com/zohran-mamdani-universal-childcare-new-mexico-2025-11?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=insider-politics-sub-comment)

Sounds great in theory, the skeptic in me wonders if a lot of these childcare facilities might not be sort of subpar though.

It’s not that there isn’t enough money to achieve all of these dreams and more, it’s just about values. This country has valued weapons more than students for decades.

Take 5 minute and ask yourself:

* Is childcare important for the future of America?
* Is a living wage important?
* Should housing be affordable where you work?
* Is reducing single rider important to ease congestion and help the climate?

If you say “yes” then why are you caught up in the good/bad narratives surrounding Mamdani and others like him?

Imagine creating more quality careers whilst supporting children

Will the Dept of Social Services oversee the project? Will it mean an expansion of another city department? As a former long-time NYC resident, while I agree in theory, I’ve seen ideas like this die on the vine before blooming before. I do wish him all the best.

What’s funny is how belittling it is to educated, creative citizens in any society when naysayers say they can’t figure out a way to offer quality free basic childcare, especially in safe, stable wealthy countries.

It’s really not hard or expensive, is a important investment, and those who make such excuses lack imagination and seem to want society to fail. People have the ability to fund what’s truly important and finds ways if it’s seems challenging.

Debasing the money supply in 3..2…1