Texas families have three main routes for the year or two before kindergarten: free public school Pre-K, federally funded Head Start, and private preschool or child-care centers. Here is how they differ.
Free public Pre-K (Texas school districts)
Under Texas Education Code §29.153, a child is eligible for free public Pre-K if the child is four years old on or before September 1 of the school year (or three, where the district offers a 3-year-old program) and meets at least one of these:
- is unable to speak and comprehend English
- is educationally disadvantaged (eligible for the national free or reduced-price school lunch program)
- is homeless
- is the child of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, or of a member who was injured or killed while on active duty
- is or has ever been in Texas foster care (or foster care in another state and now lives in Texas)
- is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical first responder
- is the child of a classroom teacher employed by the district offering the class
A district must offer Pre-K if it identifies 15 or more eligible four-year-olds, and it may not charge tuition for these classes. Contact your school district to register.
Head Start and Early Head Start (federal)
Head Start is a federal program run by local organizations and school districts. Head Start Preschool serves children at least three years old (or turning three by the local school eligibility date) up to school age. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers under three, and some programs serve pregnant women.
Under federal rules (45 CFR §1302.12), a child is eligible if the family's income is at or below the federal poverty line, the family is eligible for public assistance (such as TANF or SSI), the child is homeless, or the child is in foster care. HeadStart.gov also lists SNAP among the public assistance programs that qualify a family. Programs may enroll a limited share of children from families above those limits. Use the Head Start Center Locator to find a program and ask about openings.
Private preschool and licensed child-care centers
Private preschools and child-care centers charge tuition and set their own enrollment rules. In Texas, centers are licensed by HHSC Child Care Regulation. Families who qualify may get help paying through the Texas Workforce Commission's Child Care Services (CCS) program, which helps low-income families pay for child care through scholarships. Some centers also partner with school districts to offer Pre-K. This site's Houston and San Antonio Pre-K pages list licensed centers that are licensed to serve Pre-K ages, and each listing shows whether the center accepts subsidies.
Quick comparison
| Public Pre-K | Head Start | Private preschool / center | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free for eligible children | Free for eligible families | Tuition; CCS scholarships may help |
| Ages | 4 (3 where offered) | 3 to school age; Early Head Start under 3 | Varies by center license |
| Eligibility | TEC §29.153 criteria | 45 CFR §1302.12 criteria | Set by the center |
| Who runs it | School districts | Local grantees (nonprofits, districts) | Private operators |
Sources
- Texas Education Agency, Prekindergarten Registration and Enrollment
- Texas Legislature, Education Code §29.153
- HeadStart.gov, 45 CFR §1302.12 and How to Apply
- Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care & Early Learning Program