In a significant development for early childhood education in San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA is set to relocate its South Education Center to a larger 8-acre site off South WW White Road in August 2024. This move marks a historic first for the program, as it will introduce care services for infants and toddlers under the age of 3.

Current Offerings and Future Plans

Initially funded by city voters in 2012, Pre-K 4 SA primarily served children aged 3 to 4. With the new facility, the program aims to accommodate 40 spots specifically for infants and toddlers, enhancing its capacity to support younger children. However, applications for the infant and toddler program have not yet opened.

Historically, since the opening of its first two centers in 2013, Pre-K 4 SA has positively impacted around 13,000 children, expanding to four centers in the process and collaborating with numerous local school districts.

Construction and Development Partnerships

Construction on the new South location began in February 2024, spearheaded by a partnership between Pre-K 4 SA and the Holt Group, which graciously donated the land and is also assisting with the construction efforts. Pre-K 4 SA’s CEO, Sarah Baray, emphasized that the organization will eventually purchase the new facility to reinvest any savings back into its educational offerings.

The new center is designed to feature two “suite-style” classrooms accommodating four classes of ten infants or toddlers each. Despite the expansion of service offerings, the total number of classrooms in the new center will be 20, which is fewer than the 25 in the current facility.

Addressing Child Care Demand

A report from the City of San Antonio revealed that only 66% of families in Bexar County have access to adequate child care for children under 5 years old. Baray pointed out that the actual availability is even lower, as most centers do not operate at their full licensed capacity due to quality concerns.

Currently, there are only 1,000 available spots for infants and toddlers each day in San Antonio, which remains a critical issue for families and local workforce development. Following the completion of the new center, Pre-K 4 SA is expected to provide 350 total spots for children under 5, with services for infants and toddlers set to commence in October.

Unlike the existing pre-K programs that cater to children aged 3 and 4, these infant and toddler services will operate year-round. Although pricing details are not finalized, they will exceed the costs associated with standard pre-K services, acknowledging the need for sustainability in their operations.

Facility Features and Design Considerations

The new facility will include essential amenities like a nurse’s office and a “family cafe” aimed at providing support and resources to families. One of the standout features will be direct access to outdoor natural play areas from classrooms, encouraging children to interact with nature as part of their learning experience. The classrooms will be designed with large windows, promoting natural light and an inviting indoor-outdoor ambiance.

The layout will incorporate various activity areas and observation rooms for instructors, facilitating a comprehensive educational environment. Additionally, there are plans to commission local artists to create artwork inspired by San Antonio’s natural landscapes, which will be displayed throughout the center.

Baray highlighted the importance of dedicated spaces for teachers to prep and relax, stating, “Everything in the school is for the children. The teachers need their own space to be able to do their planning and relaxing.”