Relocating to San Antonio | Relocation Resources for Moving to San Antonio

One of the highest priorities for relocating families is locating a new school for their children and providing a smooth transition so that learning can continue and new friends can be formed. This chapter will provide a good overview to learn more about the many child care and educational resources available in the San Antonio area. You’ll also find information about private schools and data about the region’s independent school districts.

The San Antonio region is rich in educational and care opportunities – from early child care to graduate school, there are many options. Parents can select from many private schools offering pre-K through high school and include institutions rooted in religious traditions, schools that provide intensive academic experiences, some that reflect a particular pedagogy and some that are specialized for specific populations. These diverse schools and strong, often faith-based communities help fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism and collectively contribute to teaching, nurturing and inspiring young minds.

The region offers students a variety of public and private universities and colleges in the region, many of which are known in the U.S. and internationally. The University of Texas at San Antonio is the largest and is the second-largest component in The University of Texas System. It has been one of the state’s fastest-growing public universities for much of the last decade.

Child Care
Upon arrival to the San Antonio area, one main priority can be determining child care, especially for children under the age of six. Many couples are both professional, dual-income earners and may not have close or extended family nearby to help. Luckily, the region can offer many options and resources.

Defining Care Terms
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) licenses day-care centers, registered family homes, 24-hour residential child care facilities and foster homes for children in addition to other services. According to the DFPS, child care can be broken down into the following types of operations:

— Listed Family Homes
People who must list with the division are those who are compensated to provide regular child care (at least four hours per day, three or more days a week, for more than nine consecutive weeks) in their own homes for 1-3 unrelated children. After receipt of an application and licensing background check clearances, a certificate is issued. The listed family home caregiver must be at least 18 years old. However, there are no minimum standards, orientation or training requirements for listed homes. They are not inspected unless a report is received alleging child care is offered subject to registration and reports of abuse or neglect are investigated.

— Registered Child Care Homes
Registered Child Care Homes provide care in the caregiver’s home for up to six children under age 14; they may also take in up to six more school-age children. The number of children allowed in a home is determined by the ages of the children. No more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including children of the caregiver. The application process requires that a registered child care home provider complete an orientation class and receive clearances on background checks. A registration certificate is issued after licensing staff completes an on-site inspection to ensure minimum standards are met. Registered homes are inspected every one to two years and if a report is received related to child abuse/neglect or standards deficiencies.

— Licensed Facilities
All types of licensed facilities have published standards they are required to follow and are routinely monitored and inspected. The application process requires that the licensed operation provider receive orientation and background checks are conducted. A license is issued after licensing staff completes on-site inspection(s) to ensure minimum standards are met. Licensed facilities are inspected at least once every 12 months and to investigates reports alleging violations of standards or child abuse/neglect. Licensed Facilities include day care and 24 hour residential care:
Day Care

Licensed Child Care Homes provide care for less than 24 hours per day for seven to 12 children under 14 years old in the permit holder’s own home.
Licensed Child-Care Centers provide care for seven or more children under 14 years old for less than 24 hours per day at a location other than the permit holder’s home.

24 Hour Residential Care

Foster Family Homes provide 24-hour care for six or fewer children under 18 years old.
Foster Group Homes provide 24-hour care for seven to 12 children under 18 years old.
Child Care Institutions provide 24-hour care for 13 or more children under 18 years old and include standards for emergency shelter, basic, residential treatment, halfway house, maternity homes and therapeutic camp care, as well as care for the mentally fragile.
Child Placing Agencies are persons or organizations other than a child’s natural parent or guardian who plan for placement of a child or place a child in a child care operation, foster home or adoptive home. The Division regulates child care administrators working in residential facilities.

At the DFPS website, www.dfps.state.tx.us, visitors can search by county, zip code, name and other criteria to find licensed child care centers or home-based centers.