The Alamo Quality Pathway is a partnership between United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Education Service Center, Region 20 and Workforce Solutions Alamo. It aims to assist child care centers in reaching Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification and increasing the quality of education their children receive.
Alamo Quality Pathway provides early childhood education centers with unique and individualized coaching, mentoring and support to prepare them for the state assessor’s evaluation process. This will ensure that the crucial state subsidies they receive are as little interrupted as possible, reducing the impact this could have on the families they serve.
The Challenges We Faced
350 +
child care centers in Bexar County did not have TRS certification in 202367 %
of child care centers in Bexar County were at-risk of losing state subsidies without TRS certification in 2023
Child Care Tax Exemption
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County proudly advocated for tax relief for our community’s child care centers and is thrilled to see both the City of San Antonio and Bexar County pass tax exemptions for qualifying licensed child care centers.
To learn about the qualifying criteria for the tax exemption and how to apply for property tax exemption, click here.
To access the tax exemption form from the Bexar County Appraisal District, you may visit the website or click the button below to download the form.
Note: There are different forms depending if you rent or own the child care center.
90% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of five. The child care industry is critical workforce support, empowering our community’s families to go to work while their young children develop in quality learning environments.
In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed HB 2607 into law, making Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification required for all child care centers in the State to continue receiving state subsidies. All child care centers were given the deadline of September 30, 2024, to attain at least two-star TRS level.
Many directors of child care centers do not know or understand the process of becoming Texas Rising Star (TRS) certified. The process of applying for and obtaining TRS certification can be intimidating for child care centers, many already struggling with retaining staff and rising costs. Many centers may believe the process to become certified is expensive; however, funding is available through Alamo Quality Pathway that can mitigate these costs.
Without state subsidies, early learning centers are forced to raise their prices in low-income areas, reduce availability or close altogether. Our community and children deserve quality early childhood education.
Our work continues as we help uplift these child care centers and work toward quality child care that is accessible and attainable for all.
Child care center directors who want to learn more about the Alamo Quality Pathway are encouraged to email aqp@unitedwaysatx.org to find out how they can receive support.
Our Impact
203
child care centers are no longer at-risk of losing state CCS funding100 %
of centers who worked with the Alamo Quality Pathway will not lose their CCS funding17,000 +
child care slots in the region have improved in quality of instruction
Alamo Quality Pathway
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Step 1
Alamo Quality Pathway Coach
Alamo Quality Pathway Coaches collaborate with the Child Care Director and Texas Rising Star (TRS) Mentor to develop a coaching plan for the child care center’s quality pathway. -
Step 2
Texas Rising Star Mentor
The Alamo Quality Pathway Coaches and TRS Mentor provide ongoing support to the child care center in preparation for submitting their TRS application. -
Step 3
Sustainable Quality
After TRS certification, child care centers remain part of the Alamo Quality Pathway to sustain and improve quality, including support for two and three-star centers to earn a four-star certification which will increase their level of state subsidies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Alamo Quality Pathway is a partnership between United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Region 20 and Workforce Solutions Alamo.
In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed HB 2607 into law, making Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification required for all child care centers in the State to continue receiving state subsidies.
All child care centers were given the deadline of September 30, 2024, to attain at least a two-star TRS level.
Without state subsidies, early learning centers will be forced to raise their prices in low-income areas, reduce availability or close altogether.
Texas Rising Star certification can take as little as three to twelve months, possibly a little bit more depending on each center’s individualized needs.
To learn more about the TRS guidelines, visit texasrisingstar.org.
Child care centers can reach out to United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County via email at aqp@unitedwaysatx.org to be connected to the Alamo Quality Pathway.
What Child Care Centers Are Saying
Converse Christian School and Early Learning Center
TRS Four-Star Certified“The fear is valid but there are resources out there through United Way, they will literally hold your hand through the process.” — Tylane Barnes, CEO and DirectorLearning Tree Academy
Currently on the Alamo Quality Pathway“I’ve had parents pay me in pennies, nickels and dimes – that loose change they had in their couch – to pay for that tuition to keep their children in daycare.” — Kumari Tapiador, OwnerConverse Christian School and Early Learning Center
TRS Four-Star Certified“About 70% of our kids receive child care subsidies, 20% receive subsidies from the military and I only have 10% of children with private-paid parents.” — Tylane Barnes, CEO and DirectorSAISD Learning Center
Support Is Here For You"The journey of becoming a TRS vendor can be daunting but knowing I have my very own support team through our TRS mentors and the Alamo Quality Pathway makes this journey attainable." — Ruth Trevino-Miller, Director
Child Care Dashboard Instructions
The Child Care Dashboard is designed for viewing on a desktop/laptop.
For the best experience maximize the view by selecting the “Full Screen” button in the lower right corner of the dashboard.
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