Kids Campus

UNM-Taos Kids Campus is an accredited early childhood education program serving children from six weeks to five years old.

The Kids Campus includes five classrooms and supports roughly 65 families. It operates five days a week, year-round, providing 8.5 hours of care and education each day, with an average of five weeks off annually.

Each classroom has a lead teacher with a bachelor’s degree who is supported by an assistant teacher who holds an associate degree. This ensures a well-prepared, nurturing team dedicated to supporting children’s learning and development.

As part of the UNM-Taos Department of Instruction, Kids Campus also serves as a laboratory school, offering hands-on learning opportunities for students in the UNM-Taos Early Childhood Education & Development Program. Children, educators, and university students work together—to build a collaborative and dynamic learning community.

UNMTKC has a five-star rating with New Mexico FOCUS and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Its three- and four-year-old classrooms are part of the New Mexico PreK program and are fully funded.

Our Philosophy

UNM-Taos Kids Campus believes that every child is capable, intelligent, and full of potential. Our child-centered philosophy is grounded in personalized learning—guided by each child’s interests and developmental goals. Through a balance of exploration, creativity, and play, we create a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive.

The Kids Campus strives to cultivate a welcoming space where all families feel respected, valued, and heard. UNMTKC celebrates the richness of diverse cultures, beliefs, and heritages, weaving them into the daily life of our classrooms.

Reggio Emilia-Inspired Learning

Our work is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, founded by Loris Malaguzzi in Reggio Emilia, Italy. We embrace the view that children are strong, competent, and naturally curious. Learning is guided by their interests and questions, fostering emergent curriculum with project-based experiences.

Teachers act as researchers and co-learners, carefully observing children to build intentional, hands-on learning opportunities. Classrooms are designed to be rich learning environments, filled with open-ended materials that invite creativity and critical thinking.

Children at UNMTKC also have daily access to outdoor environments, promoting physical development and a connection with nature. Learning is made visible through the documentation of children’s thoughts, conversations, and creations, which are shared with families to deepen understanding and engagement.

We believe that partnerships with families are foundational. Parents are seen as essential contributors, and their voices, cultures, and participation shape the heart of our community.

Community Partnerships

UNM-Taos Kids Campus proudly participates in the Paso a Paso Network, collaborating with organizations across the Taos community that support children and families.

Through this partnership, we contribute to a shared vision—children and families in Taos County live in a community that supports and embraces the right to equitable health, well-being, and learning opportunities for all.

FAQs