Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program
Your path to credentials and degrees
- Infant Toddler Parity Application
- Education Work Requirements
- Infant-Toddler Pay Parity Award Information
- Important Information
- Announcements and Deadlines
- Helpful Resources
Horas de Oficina en Español
Las Horas de Oficina en español ahora están disponibles cada jueves y viernes, la primera semana de cada mes, desde las 11 hasta las 12, para brindar respuestas y consejos con respecto a todos los programas de ECECD y ECN. Haga clic aquí para entrar a le reunión: Reunión por Zoom
Nota: Estas horas de oficina son para los hispanohablantes solamente – los anglohablantes deben continuar a contactar a la línea principal o a su asesor directamente.
About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program recognizes the important work and experience of Infant Toddler educators and aims to provide pay levels comparable to teachers in public schools. ECECD sets all qualification requirements for Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs, and all awards depend on available funding.
The Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program is open to educators who work in a licensed child care program and serve at least one child receiving child care assistance. Participation in the child care assistance program is verified when you apply.
Note: Qualified applicants may apply for only one parity incentive program. If you participate in the Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program, you cannot apply for Pre-K Pay Parity, Head Start Pay Parity, or the Wage Supplement. You can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive, and/or the Early Childhood Network programs.
Who Qualifies for Infant Toddler Pay Parity
To qualify, applicants must meet the following:
Infant Toddler Educators
- Educators, including home-based providers
- Must be assigned to a classroom with children 0, 1, or 2 years old
Family Child Care Owners
- Must be listed on the program license
- Must have at least one infant or toddler (6 weeks–12 months) enrolled full-time
- Must upload a copy of their license when applying
Directors
- Must be listed on the license
- Must supervise at least one Infant Classroom serving children ages 6 weeks–12 months
- Must work full-time
- Only one Director per site may apply for Parity
Additional Incentive
Qualified Infant Toddler Pay Parity applicants may also receive a $1,000 annual stipend (once per application cycle) if they upload one of the following:
- Special Education License
- Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH)
- Montessori Certificate (AMI, AMS, MACTE, IMI)
Education/Work Requirements
Individuals who meet the above requirements will be assigned a category, depending upon their education and work experience.
- Category 1: Bachelor’s Degree with 0-3 year’s work experience
- Category 2: Bachelor’s Degree with more than 3 year’s work experience
- Category 3: Master’s or Doctorate Degree with at least five year’s work experience
All qualifying work experience must be in NM.
| Category | Parity Rate | Education Requirements | Experience* Requirements *All early childhood teaching experience counts as experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Toddler Educators/Directors/Child Care Owners | |||
| Category 1 | $40,000 | CDC or CDA (Note: CDA Equivalency does not qualify) | 3 years’ experience |
| Category 2 | $45,000 | Associates in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 3 | $50,000 | Associates in ECE | 3+ years’ experience |
| Category 4 | $55,000 | Bachelor’s in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 5 | $66,000 | Bachelor’s in ECE OR Other Bachelor’s Degree |
3+ years’ experience |
| Category 6 | $77,000 | Master’s Degree | 5 years’ experience |
| Additional Incentive | |||
| Incentive | $1,000 | Qualified Infant Toddler Pay Parity applicants can receive an annual stipend of $1,000 when they upload a copy of their Special Education license, Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH) or Montessori (AMI, AMS, MACTE, IMI) Certificate. | |
Foreign Degrees
- Foreign degrees are accepted but must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
- A resource for evaluation: Education Credential Evaluation
- The program does not reimburse evaluation costs.
Infant-Toddler Pay Parity Award Information
Applications for the Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program are accepted August 15, 2025 through May 15, 2026. Parity payments are issued September 2025 through June 2026.
When you apply, you must report your yearly salary. The Pay Parity Program pays the difference between your salary and the Category pay amount. This difference is divided into equal monthly payments, starting from the month you apply through June 2026.
The rates listed above apply to full-time educators (32 or more hours per week).
Payment Examples
- Example One for Applicant Qualified by September 15: An educator is identified as “Category 1”. They have a CDA and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $32,000 per year. $40,000 (Category 1) – $32,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $8,000 / 10 = $800 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $800 = $8,000 total
- Example Two for Applicant Qualified by September 15 and with Additional Incentive: An educator is identified as “Category 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. They also have an Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH). This person makes $50,000 per year. $55,000 (Category 4) – $50,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $5,000 / 10 = $500 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $500 = $5,000 total. They will also receive a $1,000 lump sum additional incentive payment.
- Example Three for Applicant Qualified by January 15: An educator is identified as “Category 2”. They have a Associate’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $40,000 per year. $45,000 (Category 2) – $40,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $5,000 / 10 = $500 per month for every month you qualify. January through June = 6 payments * $500 = $3,000 total
- Example Four for Applicant Qualified by November 15: An educator is identified as “Category 5”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and have 5 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $58,000 per year. $66,000 (Category 5) – $58,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $8,000 / 10 = $800 per month for every month you qualify. November through June = 8 payments * $800 = $6,400 total
Monthly Reporting Requirements
- To receive your monthly payments, you must submit a qualifying report each month.
- You will receive a reminder to complete your monthly report
- You must upload a recent check stub showing hours worked during the month you are reporting
- Example: A November report must include a check stub showing hours worked in November
- Reports are due by the 15th of each month
- Monthly payments are issued after your report is received
Important Info
W9 Requirement
- You must have a CNM W9 Form on file before any payments can be issued.
- The Program Team will contact you if your W9 is missing or needs updating.
- Please notify us if your name, address, or banking information changes.
Taxes
- You are responsible for paying taxes on your Pay Parity payments. Taxes are not withheld from the payments you receive. These payments may affect your yearly tax amount.
- Any applicant who receives more than $600 in a calendar year will receive a 1099-MISC from CNMI, as required by the IRS.
- Please speak with a tax consultant to understand how to report this income. We cannot give tax advice.
- CNM offers a Tax Help service. Please click here for more information.