Pre-K Pay Parity Information
Pre-K Pay Parity for early childhood educators
NOTE: We have currently reached funding limits for the PreK Pay Parity program and are no longer accepting NEW applications. We will start accepting applications again on August 15, 2025.
If you need to submit your monthly report for a current application, click here.
About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Pre-K Pay Parity Program provides pay parity to early childhood educators working in community based Pre-K programs. The program is designed to recognize the lived experiences of Pre-K educators and provide pay parity comparable to Pre-K educators working in a public-school setting. Qualification requirements for Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs are established by ECECD. All program awards are subject to funding availability. NOTE: As of 10/1/24, we are still accepting applications for Pre-K Pay Parity but we are approaching funding limits.
NOTE: Qualified applicants can apply for only one parity incentive program. Individuals who are participating in the Pre-K Pay Parity program are not able to apply for Infant Toddler Pay Parity, Head Start Pay Parity or Wage Supplement. Qualified applicants can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive and/or the Early Childhood Network programs.
To qualify for Pre-K Parity, educators must:
- work in an NM Pre-K Grant classroom in a community-based program as either a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher OR
- work full-time as an Administrator (Director or Assistant Director) in a community-based program and have direct supervision and support of the NM Pre-K Grant program.
- Only one Administrator per site may apply for Pre-K Parity.
- meet the education and work requirements listed below
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 a NM Pre-K classroom.
| Category | Parity Rate | Education Requirements | Experience* Requirements *All early childhood teaching experience counts as experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Teachers | |||
| Category 1 | $40,000 | NM Pre-K does not qualify for Category 1 | |
| Category 2 | $45,000 | Associates in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 3 | $50,000 | Associates in ECE | 3+ years’ experience |
| Lead Teachers/Directors | |||
| Category 4 | $55,000* | Bachelor’s in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| *NM Pre-K teachers must make at least $50,000 paid by their program. Pre-K Parity will pay difference of award amount minus $50,000. | |||
| 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 Pre-K 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. | |
Pre-K Pay Parity Award Information
Applications for Pre-K Pay Parity will be accepted beginning August 15, 2024 through May 15, 2025. Parity checks will be issued September 2024 through June 2025.
When you apply for the Pre-K Pay Parity program, you will need to provide your yearly salary amount. NM Pre-K teachers must be paid at least $50,000 per year paid by their program. The Pre-K Pay Parity Program will pay the difference between the Category amount and your yearly salary. This amount will be divided into equal payments paid each month from the time you apply through June 2025. The rates listed above are for full-time (32+ hours/week) educators.
Payment Examples:
- Example One for Applicant Qualified by September 15: An educator is identified as “Category 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. 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
- 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 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. 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. 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 experinece 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
To qualify for your monthly Pre-K 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 check stub needs to show hours worked for the month you submit your report. For Example, if you are submitting your report for November, your check stub needs to show hours worked in November.
- 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 Information
You must have a CNM W9 Form on file with CNM before any payments can be issued. The Program Team will contact you if we need your W9 or to verify your information on file is current. Please contact us if you have changed your name, your address, or your banking information.
It is your responsibility to pay taxes on any Pre-K Parity payments. Taxes will not be withheld from the payments you receive. Pre-K 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.