FORT WORTH, Texas — For college students raising young children, finishing strong can depend on more than tuition, textbooks and transportation. It can depend on finding reliable, affordable child care.
Tarrant County College, Child Care Associates and Tarrant County are changing that.
Today the partners cut the ribbon on the Child Care Studio at Tarrant County College Northwest, bringing high-quality early childhood education directly onto a campus where student-parents are pursuing degrees and certificates.
Operated by Child Care Associates (CCA) — one of the largest child development nonprofits in Texas — the Northwest Studio serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with priority for student-parents enrolled at any TCC campus. College employees and community families may enroll as space allows.
Flexible full- and part-time options are designed around class schedules, while Head Start and Early Head Start opportunities, child care scholarships and direct-pay options help make care accessible to families with different needs.
Call it an investment in two generations at once.
One student-parent said the new Child Care Studio is already easing the pressure of balancing school and family. “It makes my day-to-day college experience less stressful. I can concentrate better in class and have more time on campus to study or use the Learning Commons because I’m not constantly worrying about child care.”
That peace of mind is by design — a direct result of TCC’s partnership with CCA.
“We are grateful to Tarrant County for its support and to Child Care Associates for bringing top-tier early childhood education to a TCC campus,” Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. “The student-parents we serve are preparing to enter or advance in today’s workforce. At the same time, their children are establishing a foundation for tomorrow’s job market — 20 years in the future.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker: “Support for Fort Worth’s families must begin in a child’s earliest years, and high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for a thriving city. This partnership between Tarrant County College and Child Care Associates helps ensure that our youngest residents have access to excellent care and education, while hard-working student-parents receive the support they need to pursue their own education and build a brighter future for their families.”
The ribbon cutting fulfills a commitment that Tarrant County, CCA and the College made more than two years ago to establish Child Care Studios at two TCC campuses — Northwest and South.
When Tarrant County, in partnership with CCA, sought proposals to expand early education access and care, TCC saw an opportunity to remove a barrier for its student-parents. Tarrant County Commissioners Court committed American Rescue Plan Act funding for the facilities, TCC provided property for the two locations, and Child Care Associates brought management and operations expertise.
That vision is now reality. The partners will celebrate the second Studio with a ribbon cutting Sept. 11 at TCC South.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare: “This Child Care Studio continues the tradition of a well-educated workforce in Tarrant County and will provide the opportunity for people to experience the American Dream.”
Child Care Associates President and CEO Kara Waddell said the Studio reflects a vision that extends beyond traditional child care.
“This partnership is resulting in more than an early learning center for children at TCC Northwest. Our new Child Care Studio also is a workforce development hub, providing care for children while their parents work toward a degree or credential.”
And the benefits begin early for the students’ children.
The Northwest Studio features eight classrooms, an indoor play area and a licensed capacity of 211 children. Its Reggio-inspired environment and research-based curriculum are designed to encourage exploration, development and school readiness. Family coaching and other support services extend the Studio’s impact beyond the classroom.
“We have been very intentional about becoming a student-ready college,” TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker said. “For us, that means continually looking at the experience we provide through our students’ eyes and considering how we can better support their success. The Child Care Studio is an important expression of that commitment.”
The Child Care Studio at TCC Northwest is at 4801 Marine Creek Parkway, Building NW10. Hours are 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
For Dr. LeBlanc, the Studio extends TCC’s commitment to student success to the next generation.
“A child’s learning begins well before arriving at school,” she said. “The experiences children have in their earliest years give them a strong start for what comes next.”
About Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.
About Child Care Associates
Child Care Associates has served more than half a million young North Texas children over the past 55 years. Through Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, PreK and Child Care Management Services, CCA delivers early education programs to children and families of disadvantaged means, offsets the high cost of child care for lower-income working families and increases the quality of child care delivered across Tarrant County and North Texas.