Help your child take off.

Want to be sure that your child is ready for kindergarten?

Prekindergarten prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. It teaches them the important social, physical, emotional and thinking skills they need for success. And it is provided for eligible children ages three to five through many school districts.

In prekindergarten, children spend time:

  • Learning the ABCs
  • Making friends
  • Singing songs
  • Listening & following directions
  • Reading stories
  • Writing simple words
  • Learning to write their names
  • Counting up to thirty
  • Talking about plants and animals
  • Learning about shapes
  • Coloring, painting & cutting paper
  • Running, jumping, playing & dancing
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Benefits
Why does prekindergarten matter?

Prekindergarten makes a big difference
for small children.

Kids who go to prekindergarten:

  • Are more prepared for kindergarten
  • Have better reading and writing skills
  • Do better in grades K – 12
  • Have better social skills, behavior and conduct
  • Have greater success in life
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Eligibility
Eligibility
Is your child eligible?

A child is eligible for enrollment in free prekindergarten if he or she is at least four* years of age and:

  • Unable to speak or comprehend the English language
  • Educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program)
  • Homeless
  • The child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or the reserves
  • The child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or the reserves, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty
  • Is or ever has been in foster care

*Some districts begin prekindergarten services for eligible students at three years of age.

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Healthy Child
What makes a healthy child?

Click icons for more information about keeping your kids healthy.

Immunizations

Vaccines protect your child from serious, often deadly diseases such as polio, tetanus, hepatitis and pertussis (whooping cough). It's important to get every vaccine according to schedule.
Immunize Texas/Texas Department of State Health Services

Child Passenger Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Car sears are the law for kids under eight, and free seats are available for families that qualify.
Click it or Ticket - Child Protection
Safe Riders
TXDPS – Child Passenger Safety
TXDPS – Child Passenger Laws
Seat Check
Selection & Use of Child Safety Seats

Exercise

Being a fit grownup starts before kindergarten! Teaching your child to love moving, running, hopping and dancing is a gift that will help him or her for a lifetime.
Kids Health Nutrition & Fitness Center
PBS Teachers
Bright Features
Action for Healthy Kids
The Whole Child Initiative
Texas PTA / Healthy Lifestyles

Healthy Meals

By fourth grade, 22% of Texas kids are overweight or obese. Fight the trend by having your child help you cook healthy meals at home. Watch portion size and try new fruits and veggies when you can.
Disney Family – Healthy Takes on
Kids' Classics
Delish – Healthy Recipes for Kids
Kids Health – Recipes
Square Meals
Head Start – Child Nutrition
Chop Chop Magazine

Fun & Crafts

With just crayons, paper and glue, you can show your child the wide world of their imagination!
Disney Family Fun – Crafts
About.com – Family Crafts
PBS Parents – Crafts for Kids
Nick Jr. – Craft Finder

WIC

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program provides free services to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women as ell as children under five.
Texas WIC

CHIP & Children's Medicaid

CHIP and Children's Medicaid cover doctor's visits, prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams and more at low or no cost.
CHIP / Children's Medicaid

National Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program

Provided through the USDA, this program offers nutritionally balanced lunches at low or no cost each day.
USDA – National School Lunch Program

Immunizations

Immunizations

Child Passenger Safety

Child Passenger
Safety

Exercise

Exercise

Healthy Meals

Healthy Meals

Fun and Crafts

Fun & Crafts

WIC

WIC

CHIP and Children's Medicaid

CHIP &
Children's Medicaid

National Free or Reduced Lunch Program

National Free or
Reduced Lunch Program
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Find Schools
Eligibility
Looking for quality pre-
kindergarten in your neighborhood?

Simply dial 2-1-1 for help locating the school district and prekindergarten programs available in your area.

You can also search for prekindergarten programs using an online resource: AskTED

To find programs in your neighborhood, click on Search by, then click County and enter county name for results.

Another online resource is the Texas School Ready! website

The Texas School Ready! program certifies early childhood programs across the state of Texas that demonstrate effective preparation of their students for kindergarten.

To find a Texas School Ready! certified classroom in your community, visit the Texas School Ready! website. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the “Find a Community or Program” section and search for a program near you.