Pre-K drew more applications than any other grade in year one, according to the Fort Worth-based Rainwater Charitable Foundation's tally in March. By July 29 the Comptroller counted 19,497 eligible pre-K applicants statewide and 9,449 funded. Confirm which criterion your child meets before you apply, and have the paperwork that proves it.
The military criterion has a catch around Fort Worth. NAS JRB Fort Worth is a joint reserve base, and the criterion covers reserve and Guard members only while they are ordered to active duty. A drilling reservist's child generally qualifies through another criterion or not at all.
Approved providers must be licensed and in good standing and hold one quality marker: Texas Rising Star at 3 stars or more, Texas School Ready, a pre-K partnership with a public school district, or recognized accreditation. Fort Worth's Child Care Associates received a Rainwater Charitable Foundation grant to help more Tarrant County centers register as TEFA providers.
Our pre-K page lists every provider in the state finder across the five counties, and a kindergartener can stay on at the same school without meeting the pre-K criteria.
All 174 TEFA pre-K providers in the area
Combining it with other sources
Families rarely rely on one source alone. This one generally stacks with a school's own discounts and aid and with at least one other source on this site, and the funding check lays out the order that works for your child.