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What is a Pre-K Partnership?

A pre-k partnership is when a school partners with one or more quality-rated child care programs to provide high-quality care and education to 3- and 4-year-old children.

Child care programs must meet at least one of the criteria in Texas Education Code §29.171 to participate in a pre-k partnership.

In a pre-k partnership, eligible  3- and 4-year-old children are part of both public school pre-k and the child care program. The children stay at the child care center for pre-k instruction and before- and after-school care. The teacher leading the pre-k part of the class can work for the school or the child care program and needs to meet specific standards. 

Benefits of Pre-K Partnerships

Pre-k partnerships may benefit children, families, and educators by:

  • Increasing access to high-quality care and pre-k
  • Offering consistency between the school day and before/after care
  • Keeping or growing enrollment of three- and four-year-old children
  • Increasing resources and training for teachers
  • Supporting children to help them prepare for school

TWC Pre-K Partnerships Department

The TWC Pre-K Partnerships Department is committed to helping child care programs and schools establish pre-k partnerships. This involves:

  • Reaching out to potential partners
  • Assisting partners during talks
  • Providing resources

Eligible child care programs working with the TWC Pre-K Partnerships Department can apply for a one-time award of up to $25,000 for each new partnership classroom. The award will help child care programs with some of the costs of the new pre-k partnership classroom. The money is not intended to replace the contributions from the school.

Applications for the award open annually on September 1st and close on January 15th. TWC will invite child care programs to apply for funding once they:

  • Are Texas Rising Star Three- or Four-Star certified;
  • Have a contract for a formal pre-k partnership with a school that has an accountability rating of C or better for the most recent year for which the ratings are available;
  • Have a new pre-k partnership classroom in operation at the child care program with dually enrolled students getting before- and after-school care; and
  • Attend a virtual funding information session (by TWC invite only)

Schools partnering with an affiliated child care provider must meet other requirements for the child care provider to be eligible to apply for the award. Schools should contact the TWC Pre-K Partnerships Department for more details.

Child care programs that did not work with TWC when they created their pre-k partnership should also contact the TWC Pre-K Partnerships Department to see if they are eligible for the award.
 

To find out more about how TWC can assist, please email prekpartnerships@twc.texas.gov. 

Financial Modeling for Partners

Financial Modeling for Partners

For help with the Financial Forecasting Template, please email prekpartnerships@twc.texas.gov.