DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS: Children are the most valuable asset. Therefore it is essential that you become informed consumers of services that support you and your family. Through education and training, you play a role in nurturing the great in every child.
Early childhood development is important. Children start learning the day they are born with parents being their first and most influential teachers. Developmental Screening Resources are available through Texas Health Steps, Texas Education Agency and Early Childhood Intervention Agencies. https://texaschildcaresolutions.org/learn-about-your-child/
- Understanding Developmental Screening & Early Intervention, resources, videos, screening and services available: https://public.cliengage.org/tools/assessment/understanding-child-development/
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is a state and federally mandated program for young children with disabilities ages 3-5. Eligible children with disabilities, ages 3-5, are entitled to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, Section 619 in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in accordance with their individual needs. Children who meet eligibility criteria may receive Early Childhood Special Education services in a variety of settings such as a pre-kindergarten classroom, in the home, or in community settings such as Head Start and pre-school. In Texas, services for eligible children with disabilities ages 3-5 are provided free of charge through the public-school system. Over 40,000 children in Texas receive individual special education services each year as a part of IDEA 619 Preschool.
Consult Texas Special Education Information Center a resource to support parents, teachers, and anyone committed to the success of children with disabilities.
Phone: 1-855-SPEDTEX or 1-855-773-3839
State Contact 512-463-9414
- Texas Health Steps helps remind you to make sure your children get their medical and dental checkups. As long as your children have Medicaid, they have Texas Health Steps. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip/medicaid-chip-members/texas-health-steps
CHILD CARE REGULATION: Peace of mind is important for families choosing child care. When children are well cared for and their families can pursue work or school, families thrive and communities prosper. Texas Health and Human Services recognizes the critical decision that parents face and regards a child’s well-being with the utmost importance. HHS has programs in place to ensure the health, safety and well-being of children in out-of-home care.
Child Care Regulation is a statewide program that regulates child care operations and child-placing agencies by inspecting and investigating these operations, making sure they meet the standards Texas has set. The reports of every inspection are available online so parents can make informed child care decisions.
Learn more about services and information offered through Child Care Regulation. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/child-care
Types of Child Care Operations, more listed: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/child-care/frequently-asked-questions-about-texas-child-care/types-child-care-operations
Licensed Child Care Center:
- Provides care and supervision to seven or more children 13 or younger.
- Provides care at least two hours, but less than 24 hours, per day, for three or more days a week.
- Provides care at a location other than the license holder’s home.
- Must meet minimum standards.
- Receives at least one unannounced inspection per year.
Licensed School-Age Program:
- Provides care and supervision, including the supervision of recreation or skills instruction or training, to children attending pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
- Provides care at least two hours per day, three or more days a week, before or after, or before and after the customary school day and during school holidays, the summer period or any other time when school is not in session.
- Must meet minimum standards.
- Receives at least one unannounced inspection per year.
Licensed Child-Care Home:
- Provides care and supervision to seven to 12 children 13 or younger (no more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including children related to the caregiver).
- Provides care at least two hours, but less than 24 hours, per day, for three or more days a week.
- Provides care in the primary caregiver’s home.
- Must meet minimum standards.
- Receives at least one unannounced inspection per year.
Registered Child-Care Home:
- Provides care and supervision for up to six unrelated children 13 or younger during school hours, and can also provide care and supervision for six additional school-age children after school hours (no more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including children related to the caregiver).
- Provides care at least four hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more consecutive weeks; or four hours a day for 40 or more days in a 12-month period.
- Provides care in the primary caregiver’s home.
- Must meet minimum standards.
- Receives at least one unannounced inspection every one to two years.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES:
- Texas Information & Referral Network/ 2-1-1 Texas
No matter where you live in Texas you can dial 211 or use the website to find information and resources within your local community regarding topics such as help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling, substance abuse treatment, help with utilities, home accessibility help, legal aid, etc.
- Texas Health & Human Services Commission Child Care Regulation
- Immunizations, prevention and control of infectious diseases
- Building and physical premises safety in child care centers requirements are covered in the Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/child-care-regulation-handbook
- Health and safety training for a provider requirements
https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/training/cbt/child-care-licensing/employeetraining/
- To look at the Compliance history of child care center you are interested in go to: https://childcare.hhs.texas.gov/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp and input the child care center you are looking at. As you scroll through the page you will notice an areas marked, “in the last five years, CCR conducted the following and you will be able to select any Inspections, Assessments, Self Reported Incidents or Reports with a link as well as deficiencies cited and the weights as you scroll further below.
- Child Care Service scholarship program works with child care programs regulated by Texas Health & Human Services who are licensed by Child Care Regulation (CCR), Registered with CCR, Operated and monitored by the United States military services or eligible Relative Providers Listed with CCR.
- Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is proudly reports in our area we are able to offer to our families child care providers who hold the quality indicator certification of Texas Rising Star. We also have many programs who have pursued other quality certifications such as: Texas School Ready, Cognia, National Accreditation Commission for Early Care & Education Programs (NAC), National Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA), Council on Accreditation (COA), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
A list of Rural Capital Area’s contracted child care providers can be found here: https://childcare.workforcesolutionsrca.com/rcc/CMS/Page/957#providerlist
- Child Care Availability Tool
This is an interactive map that helps families find child care throughout the State of Texas. It is linked to the child care programs website, when available as well as Child Care Regulation allowing families to research providers in their area that interest them. Child Care Providers also have the ability to availability to accept new children on the site.
Minimum Standards | Texas Health and Human Services
Rules and Standards for Child Care in Texas
