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Objectives To analyze the association between a minimally adequate nurturing care index and early childhood development (ECD) during the next 1,000 days in Mexico.Methods Using data from the 2021–2024 Continuous National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut), we estimated the prevalence of a minimally adequate nurturing care index, defined as access to at least one of two indicators in each of the five domains of the Nurturing Care Framework: health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning opportunities, and safety and security. Early childhood development was measured using the ECDI 2030 (Early Childhood Development Index 2030). Poisson regression models accounting for the complex survey design were used to assess associations.Results Among children aged 24 to 59 months, 19.3% had not reached their full developmental potential. Girls (PR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.51–0.82), as well as children from households with high well-being conditions (PR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.42–0.81), showed a significantly lower likelihood of not reaching their full developmental potential.Conclusions The next 1,000 days are critical for fostering nurturing environments, healthy behaviors, and opportunities for holistic development. In Mexico, the prevalence of a minimally adequate nurturing care index highlights the urgent need to implement actions that promote the full adoption of the Nurturing Care Framework, especially among population subgroups with lower access to its components.