Skip to content

Childcare & Daycares — Waco Metro Area

The Waco metro has a mix of licensed daycare centers, church-based Mother's Day Out (MDO) programs, Montessori schools, private preschools, public pre-K, and Head Start. With ~104 licensed providers in the metro, there are options at most price points — but popular programs fill quickly and waitlists are common, so start early.

Cost Overview

Waco childcare costs are below the Texas and national averages.

Care Type Waco Avg Monthly Cost Texas Avg Notes
Full-time daycare (any age) ~$686–$693/mo $800–$1,100/mo Well below state average
Infant care (hourly) ~$13.65/hr Higher in major cities
Preschool (private, full day) ~$1,100/mo ~$700–$1,200/mo Varies widely by program
Preschool (half day MDO) ~$300–$500/mo — Church-based programs
Primrose School (Woodway) ~$550/mo — PK3–PK4 new classroom

Sources: Care.com, NannyLane, CareLuLu (2025–2026)

Public Pre-K

Waco ISD Pre-K

  • Eligibility: Income-qualifying 3–4 year olds; foster children; children with disabilities; military families; English language learners (Texas pre-K eligibility criteria)
  • Contact: Waco ISD Student Services | 501 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701 | (254) 755-9417 | registration@wacoisd.org
  • Website: wacoisd.org/enroll
  • Notes: Waco ISD has seen declining enrollment; pre-K and K are the most affected levels. Income-eligible families should apply early.

Midway ISD Pre-K

  • Eligibility: Texas state income/eligibility criteria; child must be 4 years old on or before September 1
  • Serves: Hewitt, Woodway, West Waco (76712), and surrounding communities
  • Contact: Midway ISD | 13885 Woodway Dr, Woodway, TX 76712 | (254) 761-5600
  • Website: midwayisd.org/enrollment
  • Notes: Midway ISD discontinued its PK3 program (3-year-olds) — families seeking 3-year-old pre-K in the Midway zone must use private options (see Primrose, below)

Robinson ISD Pre-K

  • Eligibility: Texas state criteria; 3–4 year olds
  • Contact: Robinson ISD | (254) 662-0515 | robinsonisd.org

Head Start & Early Head Start

Operated by EOAC (Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation) — the regional Community Action Agency serving McLennan and five surrounding counties. Free to income-qualifying families.

  • Program serves: Pregnant women; infants & toddlers (Early Head Start, ages 0–3); preschoolers (Head Start, ages 3–4)
  • Funded for: 790 children and families across six centers and two school district partnerships
  • Income eligibility: Federal poverty guidelines; contact for current thresholds

Locations in Waco

Center Address
Woodrow Logan Head Start 3510 Latimer Dr, Waco, TX 76705
Thurman E. Dorsey Head Start 3221 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706
Early Head Start 510 S 12th St, Waco, TX 76706
EOAC New Road Head Start 1407 N New Rd, Waco, TX (Brookview area)

Licensed Daycare Centers

The Waco metro has ~104 licensed providers (84 centers + 20 home-based). Below are notable options by area:

Woodway / West Waco (Midway ISD corridor)

Primrose School of Waco at Woodway - Address: 118 Burnett Court, Woodway, TX 76712 - Phone: (254) 741-1541 - Ages: Infants through Pre-K; after-school age - Hours: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, M–F (new PK classroom); check for full-day options - Cost: ~$550/mo for new PK3–PK4 classroom; breakfast and lunch included - Notes: National franchise known for structured curriculum. Added a dedicated 3–4 year old classroom in 2026–27 specifically because Midway ISD dropped its PK3 program. Fills quickly — get on the waitlist early. - Website: primroseschools.com/schools/waco-at-woodway

Woodway Christian School (WCS) - Affiliation: First Baptist Church of Woodway - Ages: PreK3 through 8th grade - Notes: Faith-based; opened as a preschool in 1993; now a full K–8 school

Central / South Waco

Academy for Creative Learning (Cadence Education) - Address: Waco, TX location - Ages: Preschool and school-age - Website: cadence-education.com/locations/tx/waco/326

Soco Child Care Center - Address: 615 N 25th St, Waco, TX (Sanger Heights area) - Type: Licensed center

Gloria's Angels Learning Academy - Address: 3425 Hillcrest Dr, Waco, TX (Landon Branch area) - Type: Licensed center

North Waco

Kids 'R' Kids of China Spring - Address: 10033 Parker Spgs Dr, Waco, TX - Type: Licensed center; national franchise

Use the Texas Child Care Search tool to find and verify any licensed provider in McLennan County: - childcare.hhs.texas.gov — search by city, county, or provider name; shows current license status and inspection history

Mother's Day Out (MDO) Programs

MDO programs typically run 2–3 days/week, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM, through local churches. They are not free, but are significantly cheaper than full-time daycare (~$200–$500/month). Most follow the school-year calendar and fill up fast — register months in advance.

Program Location Ages Schedule Notes
First Woodway MDO 101 Ritchie Rd, Woodway, TX 76712 — (254) 772-9696 4 months–PreK Tue & Thu, 8:30am–2:30pm Aug–May; 2025–26 is full — get on waitlist
First Methodist Church of Waco Downtown Waco Preschool age Contact for schedule 35+ year program history
Capital Avenue Baptist Church (CABC) Waco Young children Contact for schedule cabcwaco.org/parentsdayout
Harris Creek Baptist Waco area Young children Contact for schedule harriscreek.org/pdo
Village Parkway Baptist Church Waco Young children Contact for schedule Faith-based; loving environment
YMCA of Central Texas — MDO Waco / Woodway Young children Check YMCA schedule Financial assistance available

Most MDO programs are faith-based but open to all families regardless of religious affiliation.

Montessori & Private Preschools

Waco Montessori School - Website: wacomontessorischool.org - Ages: 18 months–3 years (toddler); 3–6 years (primary); grades 1–6 (elementary) - Notes: Top-ranked private school for 2025–26 (Private School Review); rolling admissions

Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School - Ages: PreK3 through 12th grade - Notes: Waco's long-established Catholic school; 70+ year history; full PreK program

After-School Care

YMCA of Central Texas — Y Afterschool - Locations: Multiple Waco-area sites - Hours: After school through 6:00 PM (full day on school holidays/out days) - All-day out cost: ~$35/day - Programs: Art, science, team-building, homework help - Financial assistance: Available — contact child care office at (254) 753-5437 - Website: ymcactx.org/childcare/afterschool - Partnership: Waco ISD and YMCA have a formal after-school partnership at select campuses

Mission Waco Youth After-School Program - Serves McLennan County youth; focus on tutoring, academics, social skills, arts, and spiritual growth - Primarily serves lower-income communities in central Waco

The Arc of Central Texas - After-school care for school-aged children with intellectual and developmental disabilities - Hours: 3:00–5:30 PM each school day

Key Tips for New Families

  1. Start early. Popular MDO programs (especially First Woodway) fill for the next school year by January–February. Primrose and other quality centers often have waitlists.

  2. Midway ISD dropped PK3 — if you're in the Midway zone and have a 3-year-old, you'll need private pre-K (Primrose, Waco Montessori, church MDO programs).

  3. Verify your provider at childcare.hhs.texas.gov before enrolling — check for current license status and any inspection violations.

  4. Financial assistance is available through: YMCA (income-based), Head Start (income-qualifying), Texas Workforce Commission childcare subsidies (childcaretexas.org), and some individual center scholarship programs.

  5. Texas childcare subsidy program: Working families at or below 85% of state median income may qualify for state-subsidized childcare through Texas Workforce Solutions. Contact your local workforce center or visit childcaretexas.org.

Sources