New Mexico education leaders investing $3 million in state’s youngest learners

Waterford Upstart, a proven PreK learning program, is poised to reach thousands of unserved children.

SANTA FE — The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is partnering with education nonprofit Waterford.org to help more children prepare for kindergarten in New Mexico. ECECD is investing $3 million, while Waterford is investing an additional $1 million into the program. Research shows that Waterford Upstart has helped hundreds of children in New Mexico prepare for kindergarten, and now the state is hoping the program will work for thousands more.