Need more info regarding laws for starting pre-school in my home in DFW area of North Texas?

Question

I need more information on how to start a SMALL pre-school in my home in Texas. I will only have 4-5 children for 2 hours each on Tuesdays/Thursdays per week. I will be charging $70 per month since it's such a short time each week. I'm not doing it for the money, but for the love of teaching this age group. I don't consider it a daycare - it's a school with a scheduled learning curriculum. Does that make any difference in the laws regarding registering/certifying/or licensing myself and the pre-school?

The websites I've been referred to don't mention anything about pre-schools, only daycare. I don't consider my kids in elementary in a daycare, so wouldn't a pre-school be the same? (not in the category of daycare) Please help. :)

Answer 1

Preschools and day-cares are two different things.  Daycare facilities may also include preschool classes and also take in elementary age students after school until their parents get off of work, but usually don't have a curriculum for them.  

If your kids are already in elementary school, they would not need to be in a preschool (which is usually for 3 and 4 year olds).  Perhaps what you are looking for is to become an after school tutor?

The best way to get the specific information you need is to contact your local small business administration or school district office and ask them to direct you to the proper Texas governmental agency that can help you through the process.

Answer 2

..You cant Start an actual Pre-School at your home..YOu can have a day care but not a Pre school Go to the TEA Website and look at the LAW.>Texas Education Agency..

Answer 3

Yes, I am the one who answered your earlier question and continued to call it daycare.  Sorry about that; I guess I did not make myself clear.  I will clarify.  In the state of Texas, it's considered the same thing.  You are still looking after children when their parents are not present; therefore, this requires that you be monitored by the state.  It is the law.  Yes, the proper term is child care, that's why it's called child care licensing.  Here is the link to the administrative code concerning child care in the home.  You really won't need all of this information for the small operation that you plan to run, but look specifically at the needs for preschool and school-age children:

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/read...

However, like I said in my other email, there are various "types" of childcare in the home, and each has different requirements according to the state.  The lowest level is a "listed" family home.  This seems somewhat like what you will most be like (see quote below):

"Listed Family Homes

People who must list with the division are those who are compensated to provide regular child care (at least four hours per day, three or more days a week, for more than nine consecutive weeks) in their own homes for 1-3 unrelated children. After receipt of an application and licensing background check clearances, a certificate is issued. The listed family home caregiver must be at least 18 years old. However, there are no minimum standards, orientation or training requirements for listed homes. They are not inspected unless a report is received alleging child care is offered subject to registration and reports of abuse or neglect are investigated."

Of course, I am not a licensing representative, and I'm not going to interpret the law, but yes, it does seem that you will be looking after the children less than what this law requires, but you will be looking after more children than the law allows.  So really, you need to call your closest licensing office and talk to someone about your needs.

I would really hate for you to start keeping these kids and some sort of accident occur - could be as small as a kid cutting their finger and it getting infected - their parents could report you to licensing, you get investigated, get sued, lose not only your preschool, but also your home and your ability to keep kids ever because the investigation would go on your record.  I don't want to make mountains out of molehills, but you need to make sure you are operating within the bounds of the law.  A simple phone call would clear things all up.

Just to let you know that I thought about some other options, I suppose technically there are some, but again, this would take some looking into.  In the state of Texas, a homeschool is considered a private school, and the Texas Education Agency does not monitor these.  I'm not sure how you teaching other people's children comes into play with this law, but I would not risk it.  Plus, you did not say how old the children are, but you did say preschool, so I am just assuming they are not yet in elementary school.  Since children are not required to attend school until 1st grade, anything below 1st grade would probably not be covered under this law, so once again, that would fall to child care licensing.

You could also look into the charter school laws, but I've read some of that, and it's the equivalent to starting your own public independent school district.

I wish you luck.  Seriously, just make the call - they may tell you that teaching the kids for that little bit of time each week may be considered "babysitting" or "private tutoring" and you would be in the clear.  But to have that in writing sure would take a weight off my shoulders; plus you could explain all this to the parents making it clear that you are not a licensed child care - parents get weird about stuff.  Trust me, I use to be a child care center director; I've also worked for Children's Protective Services, and now I'm a public school teacher.  I deal with parents on a daily basis (plus I am one).  Parents only want the best for their children.