Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) and Travis County are working together to offer free childcare programs at nine schools. The new initiative, called the Apple Blossom Centers, is expected to serve 300 students and provide support for parents who need to work or attend school. The program will be free for families and will offer care until 6 p.m.
The Apple Blossom Centers are part of a larger $4.85 million investment in childcare and afterschool programs that aims to reach more than 2,000 students across Austin, Del Valle, and Manor Independent School Districts. The district is directing this funding toward early childhood education so that students are prepared for Pre-K4 and Kindergarten. At present, Pre-K3 is only funded as a half-day program; the new funding allows families access to full-day high-quality Pre-K and childcare.
“Programs like these are essential for our community due to the rising cost of living and child care,” said Jeremy Martorell, Director of Districtwide Afterschool Child Care Programs. “This program gives our families an opportunity to have their students in an Austin ISD facility and know that their students are going to receive a quality education and quality child care.”
If approved by the Commissioners Court on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the funding will support programs such as Austin ISD’s Apple Blossom Centers. This effort seeks to address gaps left by state funding by providing parents with resources needed to work or pursue their education.
The Apple Blossom Program is set to begin this semester once licensing requirements are met.
