Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) and Pre-K 4 SA have formed a partnership to address the child care needs of military families. The collaboration aims to expand access to high-quality early education and child care options for the over 80,000 service members and civilian personnel at JBSA.
Brigadier General Russell D. Driggers, Commander of JBSA, highlighted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a significant advancement in supporting military families. He emphasized that the partnership will enhance military readiness by providing priority access to quality early education for service members’ children.
JBSA faces a critical shortage of child care, with only 990 slots available and just 65 through at-home care. The shortage is more pronounced for families with special needs children, who have limited access to specialized care.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg noted that the MOU reflects San Antonio's commitment to solving child care challenges for military families, including those living off base. The partnership aims to expand the availability of child care, especially for families with special needs, and accommodate military members' unique schedules.
Pre-K 4 SA, a nationally recognized early childhood education program, will leverage its network of child care centers and providers to improve early learning opportunities for military families. The partnership will focus on:
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Expanding Access to High-Quality Care: JBSA and Pre-K 4 SA will collaborate to connect military families with child care options, including providers with a 3-star or higher Texas Rising Star rating. These providers will offer specialized care, extended hours, and weekend availability.
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Streamlined Information Sharing: A communication system will be established to provide families with easy access to child care information both on and off base.
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Investing in Child Care Professionals: Specialized training for child care professionals will be implemented to enhance the quality of care.
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Supporting Military Families Holistically: Pre-K 4 SA will connect military families with community organizations for additional services and participate in JBSA’s Workforce and Transition Alliance.
Dr. Sarah Baray, CEO of Pre-K 4 SA, stated that the partnership aligns with the strategic goal of building a strong early learning ecosystem in San Antonio. The formal partnership began in July 2024 but has been in development for several years.