The cost of child care is at an all-time high. The typical American family with young kids now spends more on child care than housing.

In most of the developed world, the government pays for child care so parents can work and contribute to the economy. But free, universal child care is nearly unheard of in the U.S.  

At least it was until a few months ago. In November, New Mexico became the first state to launch free, universal child care.

On today's episode, what can Washington learn from a state that managed to pull it off?

GUEST:
Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

The cost of child care is at an all-time high.&nbsp;The typical American family&nbsp;with young kids&nbsp;<a href="https://www.childcareaware.org/thechildcarestandstill/#:~:text=Although%20child%20care%20price%20increases,based%20care%20for%20two%20children.">now spends more on child care than housing</a>.
In most of the developed world, the government pays for child care so parents can work and contribute to the economy. But free, universal child care is nearly unheard of in the U.S.&nbsp;&nbsp;
At least it&nbsp;was&nbsp;until a few months ago. In November, New Mexico became the first state to launch free, universal child care.
On today's episode, what can Washington learn from a state that managed to pull it off? GUEST: Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes</a>. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producers are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan">Alec Cowan</a>. Our hosts are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It’s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It&rsquo;s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In&nbsp;Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming

In November, New Mexico became the first state to launch free, universal child care.  So what can Washington learn from the state that managed to pull it off? 