Help Paying for Preschool in Texas (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but Texas families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in Texas
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in Texas (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a Texas program →
Public pre-K in Texas
Texas's public pre-K, Texas Public Prekindergarten, is income- or risk-based (age 4 by September 1 plus an eligibility criterion (low-income, limited English, homeless, foster, or military/first-responder family)). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official Texas program info →
Childcare subsidy in Texas
Separate from preschool programs, Texas's childcare subsidy — Child Care Services (CCS) — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to up to 85% of the state median income (local boards may set a lower entry limit) — measured against your state's median income, a higher ceiling than the federal poverty line. Apply or learn more →
Preschools in Texas
See also: when your child can start school in Texas · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.