Houston childcare: Choose Care That Fits

Define the hours and care your child needs

Write down your child's age, required start date, drop-off and pickup times, school location and any feeding, medication or support needs. Include the time you need to travel between work, school and care. Ask each provider to confirm the hours they can cover, rather than comparing a full-day arrangement with an after-school quote.

For school-based care, ask who handles dismissal pickup and how you will cover holidays, early-release days and closures. For a sitter or nanny, agree on duties: child supervision, meals, school pickup and any household work. Ask who will care for your child if the caregiver cannot attend.

Confirm the provider's Texas permit category

Texas Health and Human Services identifies licenses for child care centers and licensed child care homes, registration for registered child care homes, and listing for listed family homes. Ask for the provider's permit number and category, and confirm that the record matches the address where your child will receive care. [3]

A listed family home can care for no more than three children unrelated to the caregiver and no more than 12 children total, including related children. A registered home can care for up to six unrelated children during the school day and six additional school-age children after school, with a total limit of 12 including related children. Ask who will supervise your child, which other children will attend and how the caregiver groups them. [3]

Visit before committing. Ask the caregiver to explain pickup authorization, illness exclusions, medication handling, emergency contacts and evacuation arrangements. Request references and ask about CPR and first-aid training. For care in your own home, agree on screening, visitors, transportation and communication in writing.

Compare written costs and enrollment terms

Request a quote for your actual schedule and number of children. Ask the provider to separate tuition or hourly pay from registration fees, deposits, meals, transportation, late pickup and optional activities. Confirm whether you pay during absences or closures and how much notice you must give to end care.

HISD publishes a 2026–2027 pre-K tuition rate of $7,419 for tuition-paying families and directs families to check free pre-K eligibility. Houston Parks lists its structured After-School Enrichment Program as free, although some field trips and special events may carry a fee. These amounts apply to those programs; ask private providers for quotes for your child's schedule. [4] [2]

Apply for assistance without leaving a coverage gap

Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions provides child care scholarships for eligible families while parents work, pursue workforce education or job training, or seek employment. Its income guidelines effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, use 85% of State Median Income by family size. Check the household and activity requirements with the scholarship office before assuming you qualify. [1]

Create a KinderConnect account through the assistance page. Prepare proof of residency, the child's citizenship or legal immigration status, applicable training information, income records for the last 13 weeks for working household members, and licensed or registered provider information. The office states that it has 20 days to process an application after receiving all required information and reports a current waitlist. Do not treat that processing period as a promised care start date. [1]

Gulf Coast child care scholarship monthly income limits

Match the arrangement to your coverage needs

Your hiring checklist

1. Write down the hours, start date, pickup location and care needs you want each provider to cover.
2. Ask for the provider's permit category and number; confirm the name and care address.
3. Visit the care setting and discuss supervision, meals, rest and your child's support needs.
4. Request references and ask about CPR, first aid and emergency arrangements.
5. Get a written total for your schedule, including deposits, transportation and late pickup.
6. Confirm school-holiday coverage, illness rules, caregiver absences and cancellation terms.
7. Apply for assistance and keep a backup arrangement until you have a confirmed care start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does private childcare cost here?

Ask private daycare providers, sitters and nannies for written quotes covering the same hours and duties. For specific public options, HISD lists 2026–2027 pre-K tuition at $7,419 for tuition-paying families, and HPARD lists structured after-school enrichment as free, with possible fees for some trips or events. Check eligibility, available seats and the hours each program covers before setting your budget. [4] [2]

Does being under the scholarship income limit guarantee assistance?

No. Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions also requires eligibility documentation and reports a waitlist. Apply through KinderConnect and ask the scholarship office about your circumstances before planning around a subsidized start date. [1]

Can Houston Parks collect my child from school?

HPARD assigns transportation to and from program locations to the parent or guardian. Confirm a pickup arrangement and the receiving site's hours before enrolling. [2]

Does HISD require potty training for pre-K?

HISD does not require potty training, although it encourages it and states that staff will help during the transition. Discuss your child's routine and supplies with the campus before attendance. [4]