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 providers 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 individualized coaching, mentoring and support because we believe high-quality early learning makes a lasting difference in children’s lives. Guidance from Texas Rising Star mentors and Quality Coaches not only strengthens classroom practices and overall program quality but also helps centers confidently prepare for their Texas Rising Star assessment. This support ensures that crucial state subsidies remain as uninterrupted as possible, minimizing any impact on the families they serve.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACED
350 +
child care providers in Bexar County did not have TRS certification in 202367 %
of child care providers in Bexar County were at-risk of losing state subsidies without TRS certification in 2023
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 providers in the State to continue receiving state subsidies. All child care programs serving children in TWC’s Child Care Scholarship program must have, at least, an Entry Level Designation in the Texas Rising Star program. In addition, these programs must attain star-level certification within two years of signing a CCS agreement.
Without state subsidies, early learning providers are forced to raise their prices reduce availability or close altogether. Our community and children deserve quality early childhood education.
Child care providers 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
288
increase in the number of child care providers entering the Texas Rising Star program100 %
of centers who worked with the Alamo Quality Pathway will not lose their CCS funding25,000 +
child care slots in the region have improved in quality of instruction
ALAMO QUALITY PATHWAY
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Step 1
Identification and Onboarding
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 provider’s quality pathway. -
Step 2
AQP Coaching
The Alamo Quality Pathway Coaches and TRS Mentor provide ongoing support to the child care provider in preparation for submitting their TRS application. -
Step 3
Sustainable Quality
After TRS certification, child care providers 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.
ALAMO QUALITY PATHWAY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
The AQP supports children, families, and childcare providers. AQP mentors and coaches offer assistance and resources to childcare providers throughout the AQP process, which can last up to two years. Providers have the opportunity to connect with one another through peer coaching, provider meetings, and professional development opportunities.
The AQP advocates for childcare providers at the city, state, and national levels. Additionally, the AQP works to make quality early childhood education both attainable and accessible for everyone.
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Directors of Excellence
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Join the Provider Council
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Family Child Care Network (FCCN)
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 providers in the State to continue receiving state subsidies.
All child care providers 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, reduce availability or close altogether.
Child care providers have up to two years to enter Texas Rising Star after signing a CCS agreement. However, Quality Coaches work with providers to develop a coaching plan tailored to each provider’s unique needs. This timeframe can range from three months to two years. To learn more about the TRS guidelines, visit texasrisingstar.org.
Child care providers 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 PROVIDERS 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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