Early Childhood Education

New Mexico PreK is a voluntary preschool program created by the Pre-Kindergarten Act of 2005. The PreK program is jointly administered by the Public Education Department and the Children, Youth, and Families Department. Children who have reached their 4th birthday by September 1st are eligible to attend a PreK program. The purpose of PreK is to ensure every child in New Mexico has the opportunity to attend a high quality early childhood education program before kindergarten. The purpose of New Mexico PreK is to:

• Increase access to voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs
• Provide developmentally appropriate activities for New Mexico children
• Expand early childhood community capacity
• Support linguistically and culturally appropriate curriculum
• Focus on school readiness

To access tools, resources and criteria to improve the quality of your PreK program, click the FOCUS symbol.	Canvas Preschool Teacher Support Site	WIDA Early Years focuses on supporting young multilingual children, ages 2.5 to 5.5 years.  WIDA Early Years Resources WIDA Membership Benefits WIDA Early Years Account Registration Information WIDA Early Years Modules WIDA Early Years Store Discount WIDA ELD Standards Guide Early Spanish Language Development Standards Resource Guide Can Do Descriptors Can Do Booklet The Connection: New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines and the WIDA Early English Language Development Standards ABCs of Family Engagement

FIVE STAR PROGRAMS VERIFIED IN THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR.

La Escuelita Pre-School is part of Bernalillo Public Schools and is verified as a FOCUS Five Star Program

“The Verification Process, for me, was an opportunity to put forth and display the hard work, collaboration, and dedication we all have for the children we serve here at La Escuelita.  It also served as an opportunity for us to learn and grow as a team, and to create an even stronger family of dedicated professionals.  I am thankful for the Verification Team’s feedback, advice, and recognition as a 5 Star Pre-K, and am looking forward to being advocates and role models for other Pre-Schools during their verification process.”  Darlene Gallegos, Teacher

The staff at La Escuelita Pre-School

Shining Stars Preschool is part of Rio Rancho Public Schools and is verified as a FOCUS Five Star Program

The staff of Shining Stars Preschool.

FIVE STAR PROGRAMS VERIFIED IN THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR.

The Brown Early Childhood Center is part of Portales Municipal Schools and is verified as a FOCUS Five Star Program

The staff of the Brown Early Childhood Center

PED Spotlight on the 19-20 BECC PreK Family Handbook(PDF)- A great resource for families in Portales!
Thank you to the Brown Early Childhood Center for giving us permission to post their handbook as an example!

Here is another wonderful exemplar Family Handbook from Las Cruces Public Schools Early Childhood Programs.  

 LCPS Family Handbook 2019-2020.  Thank you Las Cruces for sharing!

Contact Us

Jerry Apodaca Education Building
300 Don Gaspar Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Brenda Kofahl
Director, Early Childhood Bureau
(505) 827-6627
brenda.kofahl@state.nm.us

Catherine Quick
Early Childhood Special Education (619) Coordinator
(505) 827-6561
catherine.quick@state.nm.us

Mary Ellen Dannenberg
Pre-K Program Specialist/Data Coordinator
(505) 827-6516
marye.dannenberg@state.nm.us