Child Development Center
5-star NAEYC accredited childcare
At Cuidando Los Niños we provide high quality early childhood education for children 6 weeks through 5 years old at no cost to the families. Designed to help families out of homelessness by providing access to support services.
- Trauma-informed caring staff
- Nutrition
- Project-based experienced curriculum
- Free New Mexico PreK and early PreK
Our Philosophy
At Cuidando Los Niños, we believe that children thrive when they are empowered to make choices in a safe, stimulating, and enriching environment. From infancy, children are naturally curious and eager to learn from the world around them. We recognize that when they are encouraged to engage positively with both peers and adults, they feel secure and confident in exploring their surroundings.
Our approach is grounded in the belief that every child deserves equitable access to learning experiences that are both attainable and meaningful. We guide children from dependence to independence by providing opportunities that build on their strengths while gently supporting areas of growth. Our educators thoughtfully design enriching activities that nurture the whole child—physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
At the heart of our philosophy is a commitment to helping children discover who they are, understand and express their emotions, and develop the foundational skills needed for lifelong success. We view each child as capable, competent, and full of potential.
We also recognize that families are a vital part of a child’s learning journey. That’s why we are deeply committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships with parents. We welcome their presence, encourage their involvement, and value the unique insights they bring. Together, we create a nurturing and collaborative environment where children feel loved, supported, and inspired to become confident, responsible, and contributing members of society.
Our Staff
Our team of dedicated educators is committed to providing the highest quality of care and education through ongoing professional development. This includes participation in state-mandated training, NAEYC-aligned coursework, in-house workshops, and specialized trauma-informed instruction led by certified experts in trauma, education, and behavioral health.
To ensure the safety and well-being of every child, all staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR and have completed comprehensive background checks—offering families peace of mind and trust in our care.
Programs
Balanced Curriculum
At Cuidando Los Niños, we offer a comprehensive educational program that supports the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of young children. Our curriculum is guided by the Experience Curriculum, a research-based, evidence-informed approach to early learning. From infancy through pre-kindergarten, children engage in hands-on learning through a variety of interactive centers—including dramatic play, manipulatives, science and math, sand and water exploration, block building, language and literacy, writing, and art.
In our nurturing environment, children are encouraged to play, explore, experiment, and create—developing critical thinking skills, self-expression, and a love of learning.
Our core curriculum is enriched with special programs such as visits from art and STEAM educators, interactive storytelling sessions, and engaging cooking projects. At Cuidando Los Niños, we are deeply committed to providing a well-rounded educational foundation that fosters creativity, confidence, and a lifelong passion for discovery.
Low Ratios
As part of our NAEYC-accredited criteria, we are proud to offer some of the lowest child-caregiver ratios in the State! Our ratios are outlined below:
| Age | Children : Caregiver | State Approved Ratio Children : Caregiver |
|---|---|---|
|
Infants – 23 Months Old |
4:1 |
6:1 |
|
24 Months – 35 Months Old |
6:1 |
6:1 |
|
3 Years – 4 Years, 11 Months Old |
9:1 |
12:1 |
|
5 Years Old + |
10:1 |
15:1 |
Enrollment
Cuidando Los Niños is currently enrolling children ages six weeks and older who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. We’ve designed our enrollment process to be simple and welcoming for families.
To get started, we invite you to visit our center with your child. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our caring staff, tour our facility, and learn more about our programs and approach. This is a great time to ask questions and ensure our environment is the right fit for your family.
After the visit, the registration process begins. This includes completing enrollment forms, reviewing important policies, and signing required agreements. Once all documents are finalized, the final step is choosing a start date that works best for you and your child.
We’re excited to welcome you into the Cuidando Los Niños community!
Nutrition
At Cuidando Los Niños, we believe that nutritious meals are an essential part of a child’s healthy development. That’s why our dedicated on-site chef prepares all meals fresh from scratch each day in our kitchen. We offer a well-balanced menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack—thoughtfully crafted to meet the nutritional needs of growing children. This program is generously funded by Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
We take pride in using fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, ensuring that every meal supports your child’s physical well-being. Mealtimes are served family-style, creating opportunities for children to develop social skills, practice independence, and build healthy eating habits.
For children with food allergies or dietary restrictions, our chef is happy to provide safe and nutritious alternatives tailored to their specific needs—so every child can enjoy mealtime with confidence.
Transporation
Cuidando Los Niños Child Development Center is a 5-star, NAEYC-accredited early learning program serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (not yet eligible for kindergarten). We provide transportation from select nearby areas using small 9- and 11-passenger vans equipped specifically for safely transporting infants and preschool-aged children. Each van undergoes weekly safety and maintenance checks to ensure the highest standards of care and reliability.
We take pride in using fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, ensuring that every meal supports your child’s physical well-being. Mealtimes are served family-style, creating opportunities for children to develop social skills, practice independence, and build healthy eating habits.
For children with food allergies or dietary restrictions, our chef is happy to provide safe and nutritious alternatives tailored to their specific needs—so every child can enjoy mealtime with confidence.
Yes. Cuidando Los Ninos accepts all ECECD childcare contracts.
There are NO payments for services at Cuidando Los Ninos. All childcare services are FREE for our qualifying families.
No. There are no fees to register your child(ren) at Cuidando Los Ninos. All childcare services are Free.
We are open Monday- Friday from 7:00 AM until 5:30 PM. We are closed on major holidays. We follow the APS school schedule for days off and holidays.
Cuidando Los Ninos does not charge tax.
Cuidando Los Ninos offers Enfamil (Blue can)/ Enfamil Gentlease (Purple can), as well as Gerber Brand Baby Food and Cereal, for infants less than 12 months of age as part of our participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
We have security cameras at each building entrance. All cameras are monitored by the office staff.
Cuidando Los Ninos is an open-door center, meaning that a parent can visit our center and does not need to announce it.
Beginning at two years old, our staff will help potty-train children based on how the parents train them.
