Broadening access to child care From the cover
Assessing the need
Child care assistance deserts Child care providers who participate in the TRS rating system can receive subsidies for assisting low-income families, but a lack of rated providers causes families in need to face longer waitlists and high costs. Number of child care seats per 100 children
Through surveys and listening sessions, New Braunfels child care providers and business leaders convened to assess the gap in care. Employers shared concerns about workforce participation, while providers detailed operational challenges, including staffing shortages and rising costs, according to the early childhood education report. Early Matters New Braunfels aims to fill a lack of available subsidized seats, which can have a tangible effect on families in which both parents working is a necessity, Crowley said. Many families face long waitlists, particularly for infant care, which requires lower staff-to-child ratios and higher operating costs. Meanwhile, some centers are licensed for higher capacities but operate below that level because they cannot hire enough staff, said Alice Jewell, CEO of the McKenna Foundation. Wages for child care workers typically range from about $13.50 to $15 per hour, competing with retail and grocery positions that may offer higher pay and more predictable hours, Jewell said. “You could go to H-E-B and pick groceries for $19 an hour. So there’s a lot of competition in that wage range. And this is a high-stress, [high- demanding] job, to be taking care of babies all day,” Jewell said.
Blanco 5.3
Hays 5.9
not a desert 25-33
15-25
5-15
0-5
Kendall 4.9
Caldwell 9.2
Comal 6.6
Comal County average of 6.6 seats available per 100 children
Bandera 21.9
Guadalupe 9.4
Bexar 24.4
Medina 10.3
Wilson 27.6
Atascosa 34.4
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCE: CHILDREN AT RISK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The nonprofit lists “deserts” as areas with 0-33 seats per 100 children. The entirety of Comal County is listed as a desert, while surrounding Bexar, Kendall and Guadalupe counties have some areas that have more than 33 seats available, according to the nonprofit.
Sections of Comal, Guadalupe, Bexar and Kendall counties are designated as child care “deserts” for families requiring financial assistance, according to Children at Risk, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on children’s education and development.
Digging deeper
through the Texas Workforce Commission, Crowley said. The funds are paid by TWC to child care pro- viders through the Child Care Services program, which supports families in need pay for care, according to the TWC website. Raising the number of rated providers could expand access for lower-income families while also promoting higher-quality early learning environments, Crowley said. The foundation also examined the TRS system, which determines eligibility for certain state child care subsidies. Currently, only five centers in Comal County participate in the program, limiting options for families who rely on assistance. The list includes The Goddard School, Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy, The Morgan Center LLC, Meth- odist Preschool and The Children’s Courtyard Inc. TRS designates one to four “stars” to providers using performance, employee training and ame- nities, including indoor and outdoor play spaces,
Early Matters New Braunfels will act as both an advocacy and a coordination effort, Jewell said. At the state level, child care regulations are overseen by multiple agencies, creating a complex and difficult-to-navigate system for providers. The focus now is on aligning policy, funding and business support, Jewell said. “The child care industry is regulated by six dif- ferent state entities,” she said. “It makes it difficult for your child care providers to navigate that.” To address this, a steering committee—com- posed of representatives from local school districts, businesses, community organizations and former providers—has been meeting for sev- eral months to outline priorities, Jewell said. One early goal is increasing participation in the TRS system, which offers up to four levels of quality designation. While participation is voluntary to operate in Texas, centers must hold a TRS rating to accept certain child care subsidy funds administered
Texas Rising Star ratings TRS rates child care providers using the facilities' training, safety and amenities. Entry-level standards: Must hold license and be inspected by state entities or
Mid-tier standards: Additional employee training, recreational spaces and safety standards
Highest standards: Further educational training for employee, indoor/ outdoor recreational spaces, safety standards and accepted teaching curriculum
educational training for employees, kitchen and cooking amenities, and curriculum, according to the TRS website.
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