San Antonio Offers Free Preschool to Help Kids Prepare for Kindergarten

New citywide program provides early education for infants and toddlers to boost kindergarten readiness

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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San Antonio has launched a new free preschool program for infants and toddlers, aiming to help set them up for success in elementary school. The program is part of a broader effort by cities to address disparities in kindergarten readiness, which can vary widely based on family income levels.

Why it matters

Ensuring children are prepared for kindergarten is crucial for their long-term academic and social development. However, access to quality early childhood education is often limited, especially for lower-income families. San Antonio's new program seeks to level the playing field and give all children a strong start in their education.

The details

The free preschool program in San Antonio is open to infants and toddlers, with the goal of preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond. The program provides comprehensive early childhood education, including academic instruction, social-emotional learning, and access to health and nutrition resources. By offering this at no cost to families, the city aims to reach children who may not otherwise have the opportunity for quality preschool.

  • San Antonio launched the free preschool program in 2026.

The players

Sandra Mosqueda

A San Antonio mother whose 2-year-old son Atreus is part of the inaugural class of the city's free preschool program.

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What they’re saying

“As a child, she herself wasn't able to start preschool this young. In the case of her two older boys — now in first grade and kindergarten — the free preschool set them up for success in elementary school.”

— Sandra Mosqueda (ajc.com)

What’s next

The city plans to continue expanding the free preschool program in the coming years to serve more infants and toddlers.

The takeaway

San Antonio's new free preschool program is a model for how cities can work to address disparities in kindergarten readiness and ensure all children have access to high-quality early childhood education, setting them up for long-term academic success.