52 Years of ABQ Childcare: Our Story from 1974 to Today

ABQ Childcare opened its first center in 1974 with a simple mission: provide children with a stable, caring learning environment. Fifty-two years later, that mission has not changed. What has changed is the scope. From a single neighborhood center, ABQ Childcare has grown into four locations serving families across Albuquerque, from the Southeast Heights to the Far Northeast Heights.

1974: A neighborhood opens its doors

The first ABQ Childcare center opened during a time when quality childcare options in Albuquerque were scarce. The founders believed that every child deserved a safe place to learn, play, and grow, regardless of their family's circumstances. That center became a cornerstone for working families in its neighborhood, offering full-day care, structured learning, and the kind of warmth that parents could trust.

Growing with Albuquerque

As Albuquerque grew through the 1980s and 1990s, so did ABQ Childcare. A second location opened to serve families in a different part of the city. By the end of the 1990s, four centers were operating: All Seasons Day School in the SE Heights, Alvarado Day School in Nob Hill, ChildCo Day School in Midtown, and Little Corral Day School in the Far NE Heights.

Each center was designed to serve its own community. All Seasons became the go-to for military and Kirtland AFB families. Alvarado drew parents from UNM and the Nob Hill neighborhood. ChildCo attracted commuters along the I-40 corridor. Little Corral served the growing NE Heights. Four centers, one standard of care.

National accreditation and 5-star ratings

In the 2010s, ABQ Childcare pursued and achieved NECPA (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation) at all four locations. NECPA accreditation goes beyond state licensing requirements, holding centers to national standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications, health and safety, and family engagement. Only a small fraction of childcare providers in New Mexico hold national accreditation.

All four locations also hold 5-star ratings from New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department, the highest designation in the state's quality rating system. Little Corral Day School earned an additional FOCUS 4-Star Verification, recognizing its curriculum quality and learning environment.

Awards and recognition

The 2020s brought a wave of recognition for ABQ Childcare:

• Best of the City Daycare (2022, 2023, 2024) from Albuquerque The Magazine
• Face of Childcare (2022, 2023) from Albuquerque The Magazine
• Best Preschool 2024 for Alvarado Day School

These awards reflect consistent parent trust and community recognition. They are voted on by Albuquerque residents, which means real families chose ABQ Childcare as the best year after year.

Multigenerational trust

One of the strongest signals of quality is when families come back. At ABQ Childcare, second-generation families are common. Parents who attended as children now bring their own kids. Assistant Director Julian Lopez at Little Corral attended the center from ages 3 through 12 before returning as a professional educator. Director Tina Abeyta has been with All Seasons for over 26 years. Director Carol Armijo has led Alvarado for over 30 years.

This kind of continuity is rare in childcare. It speaks to a culture of loyalty, care, and genuine investment in the community.

Looking forward

Today, ABQ Childcare serves children from 6 weeks through 12 years across its four locations. The organization is a designated NM Free Pre-K provider, participates in the CACFP nutrition program (four free meals daily), and communicates with parents through the Brightwheel app. New Mexico's universal childcare program means that every family in the state can now access ABQ Childcare's services regardless of income.

After 52 years, the mission remains the same: a stable, caring learning environment for every child. The families have changed, the buildings have grown, and the programs have expanded, but the heart of ABQ Childcare is exactly where it started in 1974.

Learn more about our mission and values on our Our Story page, or schedule a tour to see one of our centers in person.