The teacher criterion matters in Central Texas. With Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Hays and a dozen more districts employing thousands of classroom teachers, a teacher's 3-year-old can qualify for funded private pre-K without any income test.
Pre-K applicants have to meet one of these criteria, so read the list before you apply and show clearly which one your child meets.
A provider has to be licensed child care in good standing and hold one quality credential: a Texas Rising Star rating of 3 stars or higher, Texas School Ready participation, a pre-K partnership with a public district, or a recognized accreditation. Approved Austin providers range from church weekday schools to national chains like Bright Horizons and Goddard.
All 123 TEFA pre-K providers in the area
Combining it with other sources
Most families pair this with the school's own aid and one or two other sources on this site. A funding check lays out which combination works for your child and in what order to apply.