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5In the information provided on this page is a basic outline of New Mexico Child Care requirements that pertain to the design and construction of Child Care Facilities in the State of New Mexico. This information is a brief synopsis and does not include all of the detailed requirements needed to satisfy the governing authorities for Child Care Licensing, Building Code, Fire Code, Accessibility, or local Zoning. These guidelines are for general information and planning purposes. Contact the governing authority directly or engage a Licensed Architect to complete a full analysis of your school location.

NEW MEXICO Child Care Licensing Requirements

Child Care license obtained from:

New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) 

1920 Fifth Street, P.O. Drawer 5160, Santa Fe, NM 87505

 http://164.64.110.134/parts/title08/08.016.0002.html

(800) 610-7610

License renewal is required every year.

Indoor Space Requirements: 35 sf per child

  

Infants

Toddlers

2 Years

3 Years

3 to 4 Years

5 Years 

6+ Years

Required

Teacher: Child Ratio

1:6

1:16

1:10

1:12

1:12

1:15

1:15

Required

Max. Group Size

12

12

20

24

24

30

30

Recommended 

Classroom Capacity

12

12

20

24

24

30

30

Recommended 

Staff per Classroom

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Recommended 

Min. Classroom Area

420 sf.

420 sf.

700 sf.

840 sf.

840 sf.

1050 sf.

1050 sf.

Outdoor Space Requirements: 75 sf per child

  • A center will enclose the outdoor play area with a fence at least four feet high and at least on the latched gate for an emergency exit.
  • A center will place sufficient energy absorbing surfaces beneath climbing structures, swings, and slides.
  • An outdoor play area for children under the age of two will have a protected area from traffic where the children can crawl safely.
  • Its required to have 75 square feet of outdoor space for each child at one time.

Building Code Requirements

child care child toilet child care adult toilet child care drinking fountain child care mop sink child care bath tub

CHILD

FIXTURES

ADULT

FIXTURES

DRINKING FOUNTAINS

MOP

SINK

BATH TUB/

SHOWER

1: 15

1:50

1:100

1

1

 2015 New Mexico Commercial Building Code

Fire Code Requirements

2

Must be at least 2 exists remote from each other in each activity area.

18

Educators who work directly with the children and who are counted in the child: staff ratio, must be 18 years old or older.

45

New staff have to complete a total of 45 hours of training six months before they are eligible to start working.

2013 International Fire Code

Did you know . . .

Children, under the age of 6 years, who stay in child care for more than 5 hours will have a rest/ sleep period.

Child care window blinds

If there is not a door where children’s activity is, at least one window that can open will be placed for an emergency.

child care design no smoking

Everyone will have to fill out an emergency information sheet. This will include; allergies, emergency contacts, legal documents, etc.

To access New Mexico Child Care requirements along with other states please see our interactive Child Care Requirements US map here.

Research completed by Calbert Design Group, LLC.  Updated 2019