HOLT CAT posted on April 21, 2023 14:51
Center to Include First-Ever Infant & Toddler Classrooms at Pre-K 4 SA
SAN ANTONIO – Pre-K 4 SA is a comprehensive early childhood initiative aimed at changing the education and workforce trajectory of San Antonio in one generation. With rapid population growth across San Antonio and Bexar County’s southern region, Pre-K 4 SA has announced the planned relocation of its South Education Center (located at 7031 S. New Braunfels Ave.) to a new site that will help address the growing need for high-quality early childhood education in the area’s southeastern quadrant.
Through a unique partnership with the City of San Antonio and HOLT CAT San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA’s new South Education Center will be built on the HOLT CAT site located at 5665 SE Loop 410. HOLT CAT has donated eight acres of land and will build the education center as a lease-to-own property for the remaining Pre-K 4 SA authorization period (renewing in 2028).
“This announcement reflects the city’s larger commitment to providing high-quality, full-day early childhood learning for all 3 and 4-year-olds across every corner of the city,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “We recognize that the foundation for a prosperous city is established through investing in our youngest citizens, and we understand that achieving this goal requires innovative collaborations such as this to increase accessibility and eliminate childcare deserts in our city.”
In recent years, south and southeast San Antonio has seen a decline in high-quality childcare options, especially for families with children four years and younger.
“Early childhood education is about brain development, since young children form 1 million new synapses every second. At Pre-K 4 SA, we recognize the critical opportunity to support children and working families from the very beginning,” said Sarah Baray, Ph.D., Pre-K 4 SA CEO. “We are so grateful to have a business community that understands the importance of early childhood education and continues to forge innovative partnerships that inspire cities across the country to do the groundbreaking work we’re doing here.”
HOLT CAT and Pre-K 4 SA are consulting with a team of early learning design experts to create an education center that meets the highest national play-based early childhood education standards. Details of the building are in development and will include infant and toddler classrooms to continue to serve as a demonstration site for early learning for children ages birth to five years.
“This new education center will provide access to high-quality, early childhood education and set our youngest population up for future success,” said Peter J. Holt, HOLT CAT CEO & General Manager. “With the current and future needs on the southeast side of town, the opportunity to build an education center on HOLT CAT property makes sense. This is not only an investment in our youngest students, it’s an investment in our city.”
Construction is slated to begin in November 2023, and will be completed and ready to welcome children in August 2025.
“This kind of investment in quality, early childhood education will be game-changing for the District 3 community,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran. “As a member of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, I know firsthand how the lack of childcare options for families throughout our southernmost districts truly impacts the city’s workforce as a whole.”
“Today brings Pre-K 4 SA, and the City of San Antonio, one huge step forward towards our founding goal of increasing quality and expanding access to serve more of San Antonio’s youngest learners,” Pre-K 4 SA Board Chair Elaine Mendoza said. “The physical relocation of the Pre-K 4 SA South Center to an area deemed a ‘child care desert’ reflects the entire staff and Board’s commitment to fulfilling our promise to voters.”
About Pre-K 4 SA
Pre-K 4 SA is a comprehensive early childhood initiative aimed at changing the education and workforce trajectory of San Antonio in one generation. Pre-K 4 SA offers full-day pre-kindergarten for 3 and 4-year olds living in the City of San Antonio. Pre-K 4 SA is free for qualifying students and accepts tuition-paying students. Breakfast, lunch and two snacks are included and free transportation is available to all students. Pre-K 4 SA has four Education Centers located throughout the city, and the Gardendale Early Learning Program, the first Pre-K 4 SA innovation site, which was made possible through a partnership with Edgewood Independent School District. This program creates greater capacity for high quality early education with Pre-K through 2nd grade classrooms. Visit www.prek4sa.com for more information.