New Mexico Early Learning Academy: Providing Quality Early Childhood Education
New Mexico Early Learning Academy (NMELA) is dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education programs for children in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas. With multiple locations and a focus on play-based, bilingual learning, NMELA aims to prepare young learners for future success.
Accessible and Free Pre-K Programs
New Mexico Early Learning Academy participates in the New Mexico PreK program, a voluntary initiative funded by the state to ensure that all 3- and 4-year-old children in New Mexico have access to quality early childhood education before kindergarten. NM PreK programs at NMELA are free to all New Mexico families. While the core PreK program is free, wraparound care, which includes care provided before or after regular PreK hours, may have associated fees. NM PreK begins at the start of the school year.
Convenient Locations
New Mexico Early Learning Academy operates four locations in and around Albuquerque: Central, Eubank, Tijeras, and Edgewood. This wide distribution ensures that families can find a location that suits their needs and schedules.
The Tijeras location, funded by NM PreK for 2025, offers a safe and secure environment for children. The location is situated on Central Ave, just east of Coors Blvd, in a neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial properties, bordering the Pat Hurley and Crestview Bluffs neighborhoods.
The Central location offers programs for various age groups:
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- Infants (6 weeks to 12 months)
- Toddlers (12 to 24 months)
- Twos (2 to 3 years)
- Early Pre-K (3 to 4 years)
- NM Pre-K (4 to 5 years)
The Eubank location is a Licensed Child Care Center Program with a 5-star quality rating, accepting financial assistance.
Safe and Secure Environment
NMELA prioritizes the safety and security of its students. The Central Albuquerque location features dual-restricted entrances, secure external fences, and security cameras covering classrooms and public areas. Only approved staff and family members are granted building access. All staff members are CPR-trained.
The Tijeras location offers a fenced parking lot to ensure safety during drop-off and pick-up. Restricted-access entry controls mean only approved staff and family members have building access.
Clean and Healthy Facilities
Maintaining a clean and healthy environment is a top priority at NMELA. The on-site staff team cleans and tidies learning spaces throughout the day. Additionally, a team of professional cleaners conducts a deep clean every evening, thoroughly sanitizing surfaces and high-touch areas to eliminate germs and keep children and families healthy. The Tijeras location has an in-house cleaning crew.
Play-Based, Bilingual Learning
New Mexico Early Learning Academy utilizes a play-based curriculum to foster learning and development in a fun and engaging way. The curriculum focuses on literacy, math, science, and social studies, with activities designed to feel like play. Teachers observe and design creative lessons that bring learning to life.
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Children at NMELA gain a dual-language advantage. Starting as infants and toddlers, they learn American Sign Language (ASL) to enhance communication skills. Early Pre-K and Pre-K students learn Spanish, building vocabulary and confidence with the goal of achieving 50/50 English and Spanish instruction.
The Central location uses the HighScope® early learning curriculum, while the Tijeras location integrates nature into the daily routine, encouraging children to run, jump, and climb.
Dedicated and Experienced Staff
Crystal, the founder of New Mexico Early Learning Academy since 2020, is an experienced early childhood education leader with over 20 years of small business experience. Her leadership has resulted in staff retention, consistent enrollment growth, and impressive quality ratings.
NMELA's nurturing teachers are dedicated to helping children prepare for their future through exciting, play-based activities. They guide children in exploring reading, writing, and STEM (science, tech, engineering, and math) through daily experiments, projects, and fun activities.
Low Teacher-to-Child Ratios
New Mexico Early Learning Academy maintains low teacher-to-child ratios, exceeding state standards. These ratios include:
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- 1:4 for infants (state requires 1:6)
- 1:4 for toddlers (state requires 1:6)
- 1:6 for twos (state requires 1:8)
These low ratios ensure that each child receives the individual attention they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
Nutritious Meals
NMELA provides nutritious, allergy-conscious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks prepared daily by a dedicated chef using fresh ingredients, including vegetables from the garden. This ensures that children receive the healthy food they need to support their growth and development, saving parents time and money.
Parent Communication
New Mexico Early Learning Academy utilizes the free Procare® parent app to keep parents connected to their child's classroom. Teachers send real-time photos, videos, activity updates, and other important information every day. Parents can also communicate with teachers via two-way instant messaging.
Comprehensive Programs and Services
NMELA offers a range of programs and services to support children's development, including:
- Indoor play structures to aid gross motor development
- Learning centers stocked with manipulatives, blocks, and materials for dramatic play, science, and reading
- Age-level playgrounds for outdoor play and development of gross motor skills
- Onsite speech and behavior therapists offering 1-on-1 services for children with referrals
- Music and movement activities, including regular visits from a guitar-playing visiting teacher
The Tijeras location features an indoor gym and gross motor room. The Tijeras location is equipped with safe, fun play structures and a sturdy fence.
Conscious Discipline
Teachers at NMELA use the Conscious Discipline® philosophy to model appropriate behaviors, kindness, empathy, and respect. This approach helps children express and regulate their emotions in a healthy way.
Collaboration with APS
New Mexico Early Learning Academy actively collaborates and shares enrollment numbers with Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) to help families make informed decisions about preschool programs. APS is committed to helping families find the program that is the best fit for their child. APS provides a list of community providers who may have openings, including Common Spirit, City of Albuquerque, Downtown Child Care Center, East Gate Kids, Eastern Child Development Center, Learning Together Childcare Center (LTCC), Little Big Foot Day School, Little Blessings CDC, Little Flower Learning Center, Milestone Montessori PreK #1, and Milestone Montessori Prek #2.
Enrollment Information
To learn more about New Mexico Early Learning Academy and its programs, parents can book a tour of the Central location or contact the academy online. The Central location tailors enrollment to meet the individual needs of each family.
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