Improving Quality of Child Care

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas recognizes the vital role that quality child care plays in the development of young children. A child’s experience during the critical early years lays the foundation for the rest of their lives. As a result, child care affects the way that children think, learn, and behave.

Texas Rising Star (TRS) Program

Texas Rising Star certification is a process for improving the quality of child care services provided in Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas’ 19 county area. A Texas Rising Star Provider is a child care provider that has an agreement with the Board's Child Care Services (CCS) Contractor to serve families receiving CCS assistance and that meets requirements to exceed the State's Minimum Licensing Standards for child care facilities. The Texas Rising Star Provider certification system provides graduated levels of certification as providers meet progressively higher certification requirements.

Contact our Child Care Quality team for more information on the Texas Rising Star program.

TRS 2024 Four-Year Review

Every four years, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) conducts a comprehensive review of the Texas Rising Star (TRS) program. In August 2023, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas hosted stakeholders (including child care providers) to discuss Texas Rising Star policy and procedures, and begin the process of submitting recommendations for TWC to consider in the development of new TRS Guidelines. Up-to-date information including revised guidelines, meeting materials, and other items will be provided here as they become available.

Child Care Provider Training

Throughout the year, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas offers a variety of training classes and workshops to contracted providers to improve the quality of care children and families receive. This includes a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Program, outdoor STEM learning, nature education for children in care, and more!