Resources for Policymakers
The Texas Early Learning Council brings together top
institutional and organizational leaders for collective action to
increase collaboration and system efficiency across the entire
early care and education landscape in the state so that Texas
children receive what they need to arrive at Kindergarten ready for
school.
In the past, numerous attempts have been made to integrate and
improve systems alignment in early care and education in Texas.
Some have been successful, others have not. The Texas Early
Learning Council is unique, however, in that it brings a sufficient
level of financial resources to the work that previous efforts
lacked. Not only does the Council have participation from all
sectors involved in early care and education in Texas, there are
funds available to drive lasting improvements.
As is the case with most states, Texas' early care and education
system is really a non-system. It is better described as a
collection of programs and interventions, rather than a coordinated
strategic effort. The landscape is confusing to most who operate
within it, and for those outside of it, such as parents, it can be
daunting. Consider the groups involved with serving just children
ages 3-4. If the parents' income level qualifies or if their
children meet certain requirements, these families may be able to
access up to 3 programs:
The Texas Pre-k Patchwork
- Public School Pre-k programs may be half-day or full-day.
- Public School Pre-k programs serve children 3 and 4.
- A Pre-k program may be designated a PreK Center of
Excellence (beginning 2013).
- A Pre-k program's teacher may receive mentoring or
coaching.
- A Pre-k program's teacher may have specialized training in
early childhood development.
- All Pre-k teachers must have bachelor's degrees and be state
certified.
- A Pre-k program may follow the Texas
Pre-kindergarten Guidelines.
- Class sizes and teacher to child ratios vary in pre-k.
- Pre-k Classrooms operate under local school safety
guidelines.
*2011-2012 enrollment
- Head Start programs may be half-day or full-day.
- Head Start programs serve children ages birth to 5.
- Texas Head Start programs may or may not be accredited by
national accreditation organizations.
- Texas Head Start programs may be designated a PreK Center of
Excellence (beginning 2013).
- Head Start teachers may receive mentoring or coaching.
- Head Start teachers must have specialized training in early
childhood development.
- Head Start programs offer comprehensive services like dental,
nutritional support, and health screenings.
- Head Start programs operate under the Head Start Performance
Standards, but the quality and effectiveness of programs varies
from site to site.
- Some Head Start programs work together with public schools to
share space, educators, and other resources.
- Head Start teachers must have an associate's degree and all
will be required to have a bachelor's degree by 2013.
- Head Start programs must adhere to child care minimum safety
standards.
*2010-2011 enrollment
- Subsidized child care takes place in non-profit and for-profit
centers.
- There are different classifications of child care in Texas for
licensing and regulation purposes:
- Listed Family Homes: Family homes that provide
regular child care in their own homes for 1-3 unrelated children.
There are no minimum standards, orientation or training
requirements for listed homes. They are not inspected unless a
report is received.
- Registered OPERATIONS: Registered Child Care Homes
provide care in the caregiver's home for up to six children under
age 14; they may also take in up to six more school-age children.
The number of children allowed in a home is determined by the ages
of the children. No more than 12 children can be in care at any
time, including children of the caregiver. Registered homes are
inspected every 1-two years and if a report is received.
- Licensed OPERATIONS: All types of licensed
operations have published standards they are required to follow and
are routinely monitored and inspected. Operations are inspected
according to the level of risk associated with deficiencies cited
at each inspection and if a report is received related to child
abuse/neglect or standards deficiencies. Licensed Facilities
include day care and 24-hour residential care.
- Subsidized child care programs may serve children ages birth to
13
- Child care centers may be nationally accredited, or receive
anywhere from 2-4 stars in the Texas Rising Star program.
- Child care centers may be designated as PreK Centers of
Excellence (beginning 2013).
- Programs that are nationally accredited or participating in the
Texas Rising Star program are eligible for at least a 5% increase
in their subsidy rate.
- A child care teacher may receive mentoring or coaching.
- A child care teacher must have some specialized training in
early childhood development.
- A child care teacher must have a high school diploma or
GED.
- Depending on the area of Texas, a child care program may
receive mentoring and other supports from the local workforce
board.
- Child care programs must adhere to child care minimum standards.
*2010-2011 enrollment
The patchwork of programs, systems, and entities illustrated
above presents difficult challenges for parents, early care and
education professionals, and other stakeholders. Policymakers may
find it difficult to make informed decisions when the landscape is
as complex and fragmented as it is in Texas. The work of the Texas
Early Learning Council will improve the integration of this
landscape, as well as provide communities and policymakers with key
tools that increase knowledge and understanding of all of the
systems involved.
Please read our federal grant
application. It explains the Council's three year plan along
with the impetus for the goals listed. If you have any
questions at all or requests for specific information, feel free to
contact us.
Early care and education is a growing public policy area,
involving multiple public and private sectors, diverse
stakeholders, and plenty of discourse. The links below are
just as sampling of what is available to the public. Please
feel welcomed to contact us for more information on any of
these topics.
Child Care:
Head Start:
Pre-Kindergarten:
More resources: