What is a pre-k partnership?
A pre-k partnership is when a school partners with one or more quality child care programs to give 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 be eligible for a formal pre-k partnership.
In a formal pre-k partnership, children are a part of both public-school pre-k and the child care program. They stay at the child care center for, pre-k instruction and before- and after-school care. These partnerships are useful for families with working parents and help children have consistent care and learning. 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.
Child care programs and schools can support pre-k partnerships with money from different sources. For example, TWC’s Child Care Services (CCS) program may pay for the care some children receive before and after the pre-k class. If these children get pre-k for half a day (prek-3) and 6 hours or more of care, the center may get their full-day CCS payment rate. If a child gets a full day of pre-k (prek-4) and less than 6 hours of care, the center may get a lower payment rate. Schools might also divide state funds such as Average Daily Attendance and Early Education Allotment with child care programs. This helps cover the costs of teaching pre-k in the partnership classroom.
In informal partnerships, a school and a child care program share resources and information. This includes things like learning opportunities for teachers, what children need to be ready for school, and ways to involve families. In informal partnerships, children are not signed up for both public school pre-k and the child care program. So, there is no money passed from the school to the child care program. Even so, informal partnerships can be a good start to making a formal pre-k partnership later.
What are the benefits of 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 3- and 4-year-old children
- Increasing resources and training for teachers
- Supporting children to help them prepare for school
For more information about pre-k partnerships, please visit TWC’s Prekindergarten Partnership page or email prekpartnerships@twc.texas.gov.