[Hey Mama!]

I'm looking around trying to find if TX has a similar program to Hawaii. They have something here called the Open Door program, where you can apply to have your child's preschool paid for if you meet the income guidelines. We haven't been able to use it as your child has to be 4. We are moving to Abilene in Sept and my oldest dd will be 4 then. I would really appreciate if anyone has any info-if they have heard of a similar program, or know the name of it, anything.

 

[alegna]

I don't think there is anything of that sort here. Just plain old head-start programs (and the ones I've seen were not somewhere I'd have my kids, but I've heard there are good ones out there.)

good luck!

-Angela

 

[PoppyMama]

I'm in San Antonio and some of the public schools have preschool programs that are filled by meeting income restrictions. Not all schools have them and they fill up. In order to enroll you have to have proof of living in that zone, proof of income, etc.

 

[tamaralv]

I'm also in San Antonio and was (am) going to post we have some preschools aside from Head Start that have adjusted rates depending on your income.

My suggestion would be to do a search on the City pages to find *someone* to call and see if there are similar programs in town. You may not find the exact person you need to speak with, but you will most likely get a number of who else you can call. If you are patient you should find the information you seek.

To my knowledge, however, there is not a STATEWIDE program that addresses affordable preschool needs (aside from HS or maybe PCI?).

Hope that helps,
Tamara

 

[rileysmommy]

i was unde rthe assumption that funded preschool programs in hisd were for low income, non english speaking or handicapped children.
not positive though.

 

[tsfairy]

There is a program (not state-funded, but state-sponsored) called Neighborhood Centers that provides free or reduced-fee daycare based on income. I believe both parents have to be working full-time in order to qualify. There are some surprisingly good daycare centers with fantastic preschool curriculums that qualify for the aid.