Apple Blossom Centers

Banner promoting Pre-K 3 Childcare, a Travis County and Austin °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ partnership. On the left, text reads "Pre-K 3 Childcare" in English with a small red heart. On the right, the same message appears in Spanish: "Guardería para Prekínder 3," also with a red heart. In the center, a cut-out apple shape contains a photo of two young children engaged in classroom activities, with a pink flower graphic at the top. Background is blue.
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Apple Blossom Centers

Austin °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ is excited to offer a new Pre-K3 program in partnership with Travis County. 

Apple Blossom Centers offers half-day and afterschool care to supplement existing state-funded half-day Pre-K3 programs. This no-cost program offers care until 6 p.m., allowing parents to work, participate in job training, or attend school full-time to support their family's economic well-being. Apple Blossom centers are available at nine Austin °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ campuses including:

  • Allison Elementary School, 515 Vargas Rd, Austin, TX 78741, 512-414-2004 
  • Padron Elementary School, 2011 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin, TX 78758, 512-841-9600
  • Houston Elementary School, 5409 Ponciana Drive, Austin, TX 78744, 512-414-2517
  • Norman-Sims Elementary School, 4001 Tannehill Ln., Austin, Texas 78721, 512-414-2347
  • St. Elmo Elementary School, 600 W. St. Elmo Road, Austin, TX 78745, 512-414-4477
  • Andrews Elementary School, 6801 Northeast Drive, Austin, TX 78723, 512-414-1770 
  • Guerrero-Thompson Elementary, 102 E. Rundberg Lane, Austin, TX 78753, 512-414-8400 
  • Langford Elementary, 2206 Blue Meadow Drive, Austin TX 78744, 512-414-1765 
  • Harris Elementary 1203 Springdale Road, Austin TX 78721, 512-414-2085 

Learn more about applying for Apple Blossoms Centers by speaking with the registrar at one of the campuses above.

Who may qualify for the Apple Blossom Centers program?

  • Children residing with parent(s) who require child care to participate in work, training, or education. 
  • Children who turn three on or before September 1 of the school year they’re applying for.
  • Children who are residents of Travis County, Texas.
  • Children who live in a household where the combined incomes do not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
  • The child must be at least three (3) years of age and must meet at least one (1) of the following eligibility requirements for free pre-K enrollment:
  • unable to speak and comprehend the English language;
  • is educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program pursuant to Texas Education Code §5.001(4));
  • is homeless, as defined by 42 USC, §11434a pursuant to Texas Education Code §5.001(1-a), regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person having lawful control of the child;
  • is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority;
  • is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty;
  • is or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care) following an adversary hearing held as provided by Texas Family Code §262.201 or foster care in another state or territory, if the child resides in this state; or
  • is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer under Texas Government Code §3106.002, a firefighter under Texas Government Code §3106.003, an emergency medical first responder under Texas Government Code §3106.004.

Apple Blossom Programs

  • Will provide half-day Pre-K3 for families during the half of the school day that the child is not in Pre-K3, and from 3-6 p.m.
  • Offer both Dual Language (DL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, and require all certified teaching staff to hold either Bilingual or ESL certification to ensure appropriate instructional support for English learners.
  • Will staff each child care classroom with two (2) child care staff, and ensure a 1:9 teacher-to-student ratio with a class limit of seventeen (17) students.
  • Will follow  and align with its Pre-K3 objectives to extend and deepen children’s learning in a developmentally appropriate manner.