Richardson ISD announced earlier this week that a third child learning academy is expected to open next fall, serving the Lake Highlands and Berkner learning communities.
Located in the former Springridge Elementary Building, Little Rams/Little Wildcats Child Learning Academy will aim to “provide high quality daycare services to employee children more convenient to the Berkner and Lake Highlands learning communities.” According to RISD, the academy is expected to open in the fall of 2025. The school will serve RISD employees’ children aged six weeks to three-years-old.
The new childcare center will join the Little Eagles and Little Mustangs CLAs, which opened ahead of the 2023-24 school year. The act were launched in an effort to aid staff recruitment and retention by offering affordable childcare.
According to the U.S. According to the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau’s interactive childcare price map, the median price for infant-based childcare in Dallas in 2023 was $11,033. The tuition for RISD’s CLAs is $350 monthly, with a $100 enrollment fee upon seat acceptance. The tuition is payable through payroll deduction.
Registration for the Little Eagles and Little Mustangs CLAs opened on Feb. 1 2023, with both opening their doors that fall. No registration announcement has been made for the newest academy. All full-time RISD employees are eligible to send their children to district childcare centers. The current academies are expected to service 125 employee children this year, according to RISD.
Registration for the two CLAs is currently done via lottery, as seats are limited. Parents are able to express a location preference, which is taken into consideration, although it is not binding. It is unclear if the addition of a third academy will change the registration system.
