Texas A&M study finds major child care capacity and quality gaps in San Antonio; committee urged to coordinate workforce and funding responses

Dr. Melissa Jasway, a researcher at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, presented results of a city-sponsored child-care study that, according to the researchers, maps supply, quality and operating constraints across Bexar County and proposes policy options for expanding capacity and improving quality.

Jasway told the committee that census data show roughly 132,000 children under age 5 in Bexar County (2023), and that the study—s inventory of licensed capacity covers roughly two-thirds of those children when measured by maximum licensing numbers. The researchers reported centers in the county were operating at about 70% of their licensed capacity at the time of the study, reducing the practical supply of seats. Jasway said that when that utilization rate is applied to citywide counts the result is that fewer than half of young children have access to licensed care at current operating levels.

The study also found limited coverage for nonstandard hours: Jasway said only about 30 providers offer weekend hours and estimated roughly 400 possible…