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Child Learning Academies: RISD reports high retention and recruitment impact; two sites planned for August
Summary
Richardson ISD officials reported that the district’s Child Learning Academies (CLAs) have helped recruitment and retention of staff, reported high parent satisfaction and retention rates, and that two additional sites will open in August 2025.
District leaders told trustees the Child Learning Academies (CLAs) — full-time childcare centers for employees’ children — are contributing to recruitment and retention and expanding across the district.
Coordinating Director Katie Finney and district leaders said the CLAs serve children of full-time RISD employees starting as young as six weeks until eligibility for pre-K. Little Eagles opened in August 2023 and Little Mustangs opened in January 2024; two additional sites (Little Rams and Little Wildcats) are planned to open in August 2025.
A district-conducted survey found that among staff with 0–2 years of service, 85% said availability of a CLA was a major factor in accepting employment. Across all employees, survey responses showed the CLA was a major or somewhat major factor in decisions to remain with RISD; retention metrics presented by the district rose in the current cycle to more than 90% for certain cohorts. District staff said top factors for families were cost, quality of service and the learning environment; they also highlighted low teacher-to-child ratios, location, convenience and hours.
Administrators said CLAs are supporting early development and alignment with the district’s pre-K progress-monitoring systems and noted community partnerships with CTE, fine arts and local colleges. The district said the CLAs retained 79% of toddlers at Little Mustangs in the first year and had increasing retention moving into pre-K. Officials said summer programming will continue for staff, and partnerships with local colleges and CTE programs will expand pipeline opportunities for staff and students.
District leaders framed the CLAs as part of a broader recruitment-and-retention strategy tied to the district’s North Star goal and said they plan continued evaluation, a summer program rollout and expansion of community partnerships.
