Choosing a Daycare Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

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 · 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 families qualify for Child Care Services (CCS) subsidies that can reduce costs by 50–80%. See complete cost breakdown by neighborhood →

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 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 →

All Texas daycares must be licensed by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

Step 1: Check licensing status at Texas 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 — 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 →

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 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.

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 →

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 curriculum do you follow?” — Look for a 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.”

See our complete list of 20 questions to ask on tours →

Most 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.

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.

Part-time enrollment is available at many 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.

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.

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.

4. Employer Benefits — Dependent Care FSA (pre-tax savings up to $5,000/year). Ask HR about childcare benefits.

5. Federal Tax Credits — Child and Dependent Care Credit: Up to $3,000 per child (IRS Form 2441).

Pro tip: Apply for CCS early (processing takes 4–6 weeks). You can combine CCS with tax credits.