Texas childcare licensing
Texas child care state pre-k program
Pre-K eligibility, provider requirements, and funding. This page isolates the configured Texas figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 26 TAC Chapter 746Verified July 2026Summary only, not legal advice
- Program
- Texas Public School Prekindergarten (TEA and school districts)
- Age eligibility
- 4 years old on or before Sept 1 of the school year (the required program); 3 years old on or before Sept 1 where a district offers a 3-year-old program (TEC § 29.153(b)).
- Income eligibility
- Criteria-based, NOT universal. Free to a child meeting at least one of (TEC § 29.153(b)(1) to (8)): qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch (at or below 185% FPL); homeless; in or ever in foster care; parent on active military duty (or injured/killed on duty); unable to speak or comprehend English (LEP); parent eligible for the Star of Texas Award; child of a classroom teacher in the district (added by HB 2). Income (free/reduced lunch at or below 185% FPL) is one of several qualifying paths.
- Provider requirements
- A district with 15 or more eligible 4-year-olds MUST offer prekindergarten (full-day for eligible 4-year-olds per HB 3, 2019); 15 or more eligible 3-year-olds MAY offer it. Districts may deliver directly or via public-private partnerships with child-care or Head Start providers; the lead teacher must hold TEA certification plus PK-specific qualifications (TEC §§ 29.153, 29.1531).
- Funding
- Funded through the Foundation School Program (per-ADA) as part of district funding, not a fixed per-child grant; NIEER 2023 reported about $4,235 state spend/child (context, updates yearly). Enabling statute TEC Ch. 48 (FSP). Distinct from the 2025 TEFA education-savings-account program (do not conflate).
- Source
- Figures effective 2025. Official Texas program source
Citation: 26 TAC Chapter 746
Disclaimer: These figures summarize 26 TAC Chapter 746 and its companion chapters for convenience; confirm current requirements directly with HHSC Child Care Regulation before making licensing decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation.