Infant Toddler Pay Parity Program

Your path to credentials and degrees

About the Program

The ECECD (Early Childhood Education and Care Department) Infant-Toddler Pay Parity Program provides pay parity to early childhood teachers and directors who work with infants, one- or two-year olds.  The program is designed to recognize the lived experiences of Infant-Toddler educators and provide pay parity comparable to Pre-K teachers working in a public-school setting.

The program is open for applications beginning August 15, 2023.  The last day to apply is May 15, 2024.

The program is open to:

  • Teachers or Directors who work in an  
    • Early care and education program that is licensed or registered through ECECD; or  
    • Tribal child care; or  
    • NM Early Head Start programs; or  
    • NM Tribal Early Head Start programs;  
  • Work directly with infants, one-, or two-year olds
  • Have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in:  
    • Infant Family Studies or
    • Early Childhood Education or other degree with at least 12 hours in Birth – Age 4 coursework

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.

Infant-Toddler Pay Parity Award Information

Applications for Infant-Toddler Pay Parity are being accepted beginning August 15, 2023.  The last day to apply is May 15, 2024.

When you apply for the Infant-Toddler Pay Parity program, you will need to provide your yearly salary amount.  The Infant-Toddler Pay Parity Program will pay the difference between the NM PED base amount and your yearly salary.  This amount will be divided into equal payments paid each month from the time you apply through June 2024.

  • Category 1: Bachelor’s Degree with 0-3 year’s work experience – $50,000 base amount
  • Category 2: Bachelor’s Degree with more than 3 year’s work experience – $60,000 base amount
  • Category 3: Master’s or Doctorate Degree with at least five year’s work experience – $70,000 base amount

See payment examples below:

  • Example 1:  An educator is identified as “Category 1”.  They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE with at least 12 credit hours in Birth-Age 4 coursework.  They have 2 years of experience.  This person makes $27,000 per year.  The total parity amount paid is $50,000 – $27,000 = $23,000.  This amount would be divided by 10 payments (Sept – June) and each monthly payment would be $2,300.
  • Example 2:  An educator is identified as “Category 2”.  They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE with at least 12 credit hours in Birth-Age 4 coursework.  They have 5 years of experience.  This person makes $32,500 per year.  The total parity amount paid is $60,000 – $32,500 = $27,500.  This amount is divided by 10 payments (Sept – June) and each monthly payment would be $2,750.

To qualify for your monthly Infant-Toddler Parity Payments, you will need to submit a qualifying report each month.  This report is a part of your application.

  • Each month you will be reminded to complete your report.
  • You will need to provide a copy of your most recent check stub.
  • Your report is due by the 15th of each month.
  • Monthly payments will be issued AFTER we have received your report for the month.

Important Info

You must have a CNM W9 Form on file with CNM before any payments can be issued.

  • You only need to fill out ONE W9 Form.
  • W9 Forms should be submitted directly to [email protected].
  • If you change your name, address, or banking information, you will need to submit a new W9.

It is your responsibility to pay taxes on any Infant-Toddler Parity payments.  Taxes will not be withheld from the payments you receive.  Infant-Toddler Parity payments will affect the taxes you pay each year.

Any qualified applicant who receives pay over $600 per calendar year will receive a 1099-MISC from CNMI. This is a requirement by the Internal Revenue Service.  This information should be recorded on the 1099-MISC on your tax returns.  You should contact a tax consultant to confirm how these are handled.  We cannot provide tax guidance.  Please contact your tax preparer for help.

CNM does offer a Tax Help service. Please click here for more information.