San Antonio parents told us: the hardest part is comparing schools fairly. That’s why we created a Daycare Selection Guide—so you can see the details side by side and make the right choice for your child.
About This Guide: This resource was created by Edquisitive Montessori, San Antonio’s leading authentic Montessori program serving families across four campuses in Stone Oak, Fair Oaks/Boerne, Northwest Military, and the Medical Center area. Our Head of Schools, Melissa Zamora, brings over 25 years of experience as a Montessori educator and administrator, and our teachers hold AMI and AMS certifications.
Why Parents Need This Guide
Bring this guide with you on tours to make your search easier. It helps you compare:
- Tuition and hidden costs
- Hours and flexibility
- Safety and cleanliness
- Student–teacher ratios
- Parent communication
Choosing the right daycare is a big decision for parents. Whether you’re a first-time parent or have gone through this process before, finding a place that meets your child’s needs and aligns with your family’s values is essential. This guide will help you navigate daycare options in San Antonio, covering costs, care types, special services, and more.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Preschool Tour Kit
Get our printable checklist, 20 questions to ask on every tour, and red flags to watch for — so you can walk in prepared and walk out confident.
Start Here: Understanding Your Options
Daycare, preschool, Montessori, nanny — the terminology can be confusing. Here’s what actually matters when you’re deciding. These guides help you think through the big questions before you start touring.
🏫 Montessori vs Traditional Preschool
A side-by-side comparison of both approaches—structure, cost, kindergarten readiness, and which fits your child.
👩👧 Daycare vs Nanny
Weighing center-based care against in-home help? Here’s what to consider for cost, flexibility, and socialization.
📚 Daycare vs Childcare
The terms get used interchangeably, but there are real differences. Here’s what matters.
🌐 Spanish Immersion FAQ
How bilingual programs work, what to expect, and whether immersion is right for your family.
Practical Resources
Numbers, checklists, and questions to bring on your tours.
💰 Daycare Costs in San Antonio
Current price ranges by neighborhood and age group. What’s included, what’s extra, and what subsidies are available.
❓ What to Ask on a Tour
The questions that actually matter—including the ones schools hope you won’t ask.
📋 Preschool Tour Checklist (PDF)
A printable checklist to bring with you. Compare schools side-by-side after your visits.
📖 Montessori Education FAQ
The most common questions San Antonio parents ask about Montessori—answered in plain language.
According to Melissa Zamora, Head of Schools at Edquisitive Montessori with over 25 years in Montessori education, the most important thing parents can do on a tour is watch how teachers interact with children — not just listen to the sales pitch.
Find Daycare by Location
Looking in a specific area? These guides cover what’s available in each neighborhood.
About Edquisitive Montessori
If you’re considering Montessori, here’s what makes our approach different.
“We see this consistently with San Antonio families — they come in overwhelmed by options, but once they understand what to look for in teacher interactions and classroom environment, the right choice becomes clear. The best programs welcome your questions and let you observe during actual class time.”
— Melissa Zamora, Head of Schools at Edquisitive Montessori (25+ years in Montessori education)
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Daycare in San Antonio
How much does daycare cost in San Antonio?
San Antonio daycare costs range from $150-$400 per week depending on your child’s age, location, and program type.
Average costs by age:
- Infants (6 weeks – 18 months): $250-$350/week (highest cost due to lower ratios)
- Toddlers (18 months – 3 years): $200-$300/week
- Preschool (3-5 years): $180-$300/week
Neighborhood variations: Stone Oak/North Central runs $220-$400/week for premium programs, Medical Center area $200-$350/week, Boerne/Fair Oaks Ranch $200-$380/week, and Southside/Westside $150-$250/week.
Many San Antonio families qualify for Child Care Services (CCS) subsidies that can reduce costs by 50-80%. See complete cost breakdown by neighborhood →
What’s the difference between daycare, preschool, and childcare in San Antonio?
The terms often overlap, but here’s what they typically mean:
Daycare: Full-day care (typically 6:30am – 6:30pm), serves multiple age groups, focus on safe supervision and basic developmental activities. Best for working parents who need extended hours.
Preschool: Structured educational program for 3-5 year olds, part-day or full-day options, focus on school readiness and early academics. May follow school calendar (9 months).
Childcare: Umbrella term covering all types of care (daycare, preschool, nanny, family care).
What most San Antonio parents actually need: A program that combines both — full-day care with preschool curriculum. Many centers (including Edquisitive Montessori) offer this hybrid model. Read the complete breakdown →
How do I know if a San Antonio daycare is safe and licensed?
All Texas daycares must be licensed by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Here’s how to verify safety:
Step 1: Check licensing status — Visit Texas Rising Star or Child Care Licensing Search to review inspection reports and violation history.
Step 2: Verify required ratios — Texas mandates: Infants 1:4, Toddlers 1:9, 3-year-olds 1:11, 4-5 year olds 1:15. Better programs often exceed these minimums.
Step 3: Look for accreditation — Beyond basic licensing, look for NAEYC, Cognia, AMS/AMI (Montessori), or Texas Rising Star 3-4 star rating.
Red flags: Multiple serious violations in past 2 years, unwilling to let you tour during class time, teachers who seem disengaged, dirty bathrooms or strong odors, high teacher turnover. Download our complete tour checklist →
When should I start looking for daycare in San Antonio?
Start your search 3-6 months before you need care.
For infant care: Quality programs often have waitlists of 3-12 months due to strict ratio requirements (1:4). If you’re pregnant, start touring in your second trimester.
For toddler/preschool care: Most programs have openings within 1-3 months, but popular schools (especially Montessori) fill up for fall enrollment.
San Antonio enrollment patterns: Peak enrollment season is March-May for fall start dates. Most availability is January-February and summer months. Least availability is August-September.
Pro tip: Tour 4-6 programs even if you’re not ready to enroll. Get on waitlists early (often free or $25-$50). You can always decline later.
What should I look for on a daycare tour in San Antonio?
Use the “3 T’s” framework: Teachers, Time, and Talking.
1. TEACHERS (Most Important): Watch how teachers interact — are they at eye level, using warm tones, engaged and making eye contact? Red flag: Standing over kids, directing from above, looking at phone.
2. TIME (Schedule): Ask to see a daily schedule. Look for balance of active play, quiet time, outdoor time. Look for 45-60 minute uninterrupted play blocks. Red flag: TV time exceeding 30 minutes.
3. TALKING (Communication): How will they keep you informed? Daily reports, photos/videos, parent-teacher conferences? How do they handle behavior issues or injuries?
Bonus: Check bathrooms (clean, child-sized), kitchen/meal area, outdoor space (safe, shaded), and emergency plans. Get our complete list of 20+ questions →
Is Montessori daycare better than traditional daycare in San Antonio?
Neither is universally “better” — it depends on your child and the program’s quality.
What makes Montessori different: Child-led learning, mixed-age classrooms (3-6 together), hands-on self-correcting materials, 2-3 hour uninterrupted work periods, strong independence focus.
Research-backed benefits: Montessori students score significantly higher in executive function (planning, self-control, focus), are 6-12 months ahead in reading by kindergarten, and show better collaboration and conflict resolution.
Montessori might be better if: Your child is independent (“I do it myself!”), focuses deeply on self-chosen activities, gets frustrated when interrupted.
Traditional might be better if: Your child thrives with explicit direction, prefers group activities over solo work, gets overwhelmed by too many choices.
The real key: Look for authentic Montessori (AMI or AMS-certified teachers, real materials, 3-hour work periods) not just “Montessori-inspired.” Read our complete comparison →
What questions should I ask about curriculum and learning?
Move beyond “What do the kids do all day?” to these specific questions:
“What curriculum do you follow?” — Look for named curriculum (Creative Curriculum, HighScope, Montessori). Red flag: “We make it up as we go.”
“How do you assess children’s progress?” — Look for observations, portfolios, developmental checklists, parent conferences. Red flag: Only standardized tests or no assessment.
“How much screen time do children have?” — Acceptable: Minimal, occasional educational video. Red flag: Daily TV time or tablets for behavior management.
“What does outdoor time look like?” — Aim for 60+ minutes daily. Red flag: “We go out if weather is nice.”
How do San Antonio daycares handle potty training?
Most San Antonio daycares require children to be potty trained by age 3 for preschool rooms, but policies vary.
Typical age cutoffs: Infant rooms — diapers expected. Toddler rooms — diapers OK, many start potty training. Preschool rooms (3+) — most require potty trained or actively training.
What “potty trained” means: Daytime accidents are rare (1-2 per week OK), child can communicate need to go, wipes and washes hands with minimal help.
Support daycares provide: Scheduled bathroom breaks, positive reinforcement (no shaming), communication with parents about progress, extra clothes on hand.
Red flags: Refusing to help with potty training, shaming children for accidents, strict “must be trained by X date or leave” policies.
Pro tip: Many Montessori programs (including Edquisitive) start potty awareness early with child-sized toilets, making the transition smoother.
Do San Antonio daycares offer part-time or drop-in care?
Part-time enrollment is available at many San Antonio daycares, but less common and often more expensive per day than full-time.
Common part-time options: 2-3 days per week (e.g., Monday-Wednesday-Friday), half-day programs (e.g., 9am-1pm), school-year only (9 months vs 12).
Cost structure: Part-time typically costs 60-75% of full-time weekly rate. Example: Full-time $250/week → Part-time 3 days $175-$190/week.
Drop-in care: Rare in quality centers due to ratio requirements and continuity concerns. When available, expect $50-$75 per day with advance reservation.
Programs more likely to offer part-time: Preschool-only programs, Montessori schools, church-based preschools, cooperative preschools.
What subsidies and financial assistance are available in San Antonio?
San Antonio families have several options to reduce daycare costs:
1. Child Care Services (CCS) Program — Most common option. Eligibility: Texas families working or attending school with income below 85% of state median (~$60,000 for family of 4). Can cover 50-80% of costs. Apply through Texas Workforce Commission. Accepted at most licensed daycares including Edquisitive Montessori.
2. Pre-K 4 SA — Free full-day pre-K for eligible 4-year-olds (low-income, military, ELL, foster care). Apply at prek4sa.com (lottery system).
3. Military Child Care — Active duty, reserves, DoD civilians. Subsidized rates $50-$150/week depending on rank. On-base CDC or fee assistance for off-base care.
4. Employer Benefits — Dependent Care FSA (pre-tax savings up to $5,000/year), employer tuition assistance. Ask HR about childcare benefits.
5. Federal Tax Credits — Child and Dependent Care Credit: Up to $3,000 per child when filing taxes (IRS Form 2441).
Pro tip: Apply for CCS early (processing takes 4-6 weeks). You can combine CCS with tax credits.
Ready to See a School in Person?
Reading can only tell you so much. Schedule a tour at any of our four campuses to see the classrooms, meet the teachers, and ask your questions in person.
Locations: Fair Oaks/Boerne | Stone Oak | NW Military | Medical Center
Helpful Links
- Childcare Licensing
- City of San Antonio CCS Program
- Early Matters
- Prek4SA
- Cognia
- NAEYC
- Childcare Aware
About Edquisitive Montessori
Edquisitive Montessori is San Antonio’s leading authentic Montessori program, serving families across four campuses: Stone Oak (Spanish Grove Academy), Fair Oaks/Boerne, Northwest Military, and Medical Center (Little Red Caboose).
Led by Head of Schools Melissa Zamora, who brings over 25 years of experience as a Montessori educator and administrator, our team of AMI and AMS-certified educators delivers our proprietary edScription® curriculum. We’ve guided thousands of children from 6 weeks through kindergarten, combining authentic Montessori methodology with Spanish immersion, inquiry-based learning, and the practical support working families need.
