Interested in enrolling at El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center?

This section is for interested parents to learn how we can serve you. We have listed the most Frequently Asked Questions from previous enrollments. If your questions are not listed, please do not hesitate to call Sarah, the Office Manager from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at (512) 476-4505 or email her at sarah@elbuenpastorecdc.org.

The Center serves children ages six (6) months through five (5) years, Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; also, children ages four (4) through thirteen (13) years from after schools hours in our surrounding area (Sanchez, Metz, Zavala) to closing, Monday through Friday, nine (9) months of the year. El Buen Pastor E.C.D.C. serves children ages six months through thirteen years all day during public school’s summer break.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center does not discriminate against any child or the family based on race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, national orgin, or political belief.

How do I register?
Your first step is to get on the waiting list. You may call Sarah, the Office Manager from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at (512) 476-4505 or email her at waitinglist@elbuenpastorecdc.org. If we are not available to answer the phone, please leave a message on the answering machine.

The following information is needed for the Waiting List: Parents' and childs' name, DOB of child (vital), at least two numbers where you may be reached.

There is no fee to be on the waiting list.

How long is the waiting list?
Each classroom has its own waiting list. We normally do the most enrolling in August for our new school year. Our new school year always starts the same day as Austin Independent School District. The first day for the 2009-2010 school year is August 24th, 2009. Other than this time, we would only call the waiting list when a spot opens up.

Current family information is vital to your spot on the waiting list.

Once a slot becomes available for a child, the Center will enroll in a chronological order. The Center will set up a time and date for the parent interview. We recommend these interviews be scheduled between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and between 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of an interview:
-Question and answers
-Social forms distribution and $25 registration fee obtained.
-A tour of the Center
-Parent & child meet teacher

How much is Tuition?

El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center is a high quality program for all families to enjoy regardless of financial backgrounds. Seventy percent of the Center's clients fall within 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and 32 percent fall in the 200 percent of the 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Center provides childcare to this population at rates well below the market rates. Single parents head approximately seventy percent of these families and approximately ninety percent of the children come from a Hispanic background.

Our monthly tuition is $600 per month for full time care and $115 for school-aged part time care. These monthly costs include two hot meals, an afternoon snack, infants food and formula.

Full time care is ages 6 months to 5 years old, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Part time care is ages 4 years old to 13 years old, Monday through Friday during the AISD school year. Children are picked up from the surrounding schools (Metz, Zavala, Sanchez) and driven to the Center with our mini-bus. Care ended at 5:30 p.m. Schoolagers during the summer pay full tuition.

Tuitions are due monthly regardless of how many days your child attends. Whether it be one day of the month or 21 days, the tuition will stay the same. Tuitions are due during the first 5 days during the month of tuition. After the 6th day, a 10% late fee is added to the tuition.

We accept Texas WorkForce Solutions (CCS) and the City of Austin reimbursement for employees. Limited scholarships offered upon availabity of foundation funds. More details will be given at the initial interview.

If more than one (1) child is attending The Center the charge is:
2nd child: $10 less
3rd child: $20 less
4th child: $30 less...

To verify your monthly tuition the following items are needed:

• Proof of income may be in the form of one of two listed below:
• A check stub with your year to date income or
• The latest income report filed with I.R.S. showing total family income.
• Proof of Household size

You're welcome to compare tuition with the most recent Family Connections tuition survey:

Average Cost of Child Care for Travis County

Licensed Centers
Age of Child / Monthly Average
Newborn-11 mos $797.00
12 mos-17 mos $758.00
18 mos-23 mos $698.00
2 yrs $676.00
3 yrs $641.00
4 yrs-5 yrs $633.00
6 yrs-12 yrs $251.00
6 yrs-12 yrs summer $602.00

What's an average day at El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center like for my child?

THE GENERAL SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: (Each classroom schedule varies with each age group.)
7:00 A.M. Open door / Greet children
General Child well check
Diapers will be changed by parents before parent leaves child with staff
Parent must sign child in the appropriate classroom

8:00 Break into individual age grouping classes
Dental/Toiletry/ Hand washing /Etc.

8:00 Breakfast Time (1 st meal)

8:30 Curriculum scheduled in each class
Music
Story Time
Health
(Look to each classroom for Daily lesson plans Posted on the Bulletin Board)
Sciences
Math
Art
Language Arts
(Concepts in English and Spanish)

8:30-11:00 Outside play (weather permitting)
All classes go out on a time schedule

11:00 Prepare for lunch (2 nd meal)
NURSERY – 1st class – 2 years old
2 nd class - 3 years old
3 rd class – 4/5 years old

11:30 4 th class – After-school age children during intersession and Summer Months
School age – (age 5-7) (ages 8-10) (ages 11-13)

12:00 P.M. Prepare for Naptime / Rest time
Dental/Toiletry/Diapering/Etc.

2:30 Wake up time
Dental/Toiletry/Diapering/Etc.
Recieve Afterschool Classes

3:00 P.M. Snack (All classes)

3:15 Resume all Educational Activities for All classes

4:45 Prepare for Departure
Diaper children will be changed by parents before departing, Thank You
Parents or Guardian Must sign child out in appropriate class role

5:30 Center doors close for the day