Pre-k partnerships

A pre-k partnership is a collaboration between a high-quality child care program and a Local Education Agency (LEA) such as a school district or charter school network to provide high-quality care and education to three- and four-year-old children.

A formal partnership exists when eligible three- and four-year-old children are dually enrolled in a high-quality child care program and public school pre-k. Children receive pre-k instruction and wraparound care (the hours before and after pre-k instruction) in one setting, typically at a child care center. For children that are dually enrolled, the cost of wraparound care is covered through the Child Care Services program.

Pre-k partnerships allow child care programs and LEAs to provide children continuity in care and education, and better support the needs of working families. Partnerships can also provide child care programs and LEAs various benefits.

For child care programs, potential benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Higher enrollment; and
• Greater financial stability by continuing to fill classrooms for three- and four-year-old children while receiving support and/or funding from LEAs.

For LEAs, potential benefits include:

• Sharing school readiness standards with future students; and
• Serving more three- and four-year-old children without building more classrooms.

In addition, the Texas Workforce Commission will provide eligible child care programs awards of up to $25,000 to assist with start-up costs for new pre-k partnership classrooms.

Child care programs, LEAs, and other organizations interested in establishing a pre-k partnership should complete the Pre-K Partnership Interest Form below and a Pre-K Partnership Specialist will follow up with you.