Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Education |
Just as the agency will want to ensure that nannies referred to you are suitable candidates, for the nanny’s protection, the agency may also ask you for references. Most agencies will assist you in preparing a job description that summarizes your family’s job duties, comprehension package and other important considerations.
Many placement agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pair
Au Pairs are foreign nationals between the ages of 18-26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12- month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child care services (maximum 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants three months of age or younger, unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child two years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child care experience.
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
The Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA) is a statewide network of member agencies representing child care resource and referral agencies, early childhood education programs and other agencies and organizations interested in promoting the development, maintenance and expansion of quality child care services in Texas. (www.taccrra.net)
A membership organization of TACCRRA’s located in Dallas is ChildCareGroup (www.childcaregroup.org) and Camp Fire USA First Texas Council (www.firsttexascampfire.org) in Fort Worth. Both organization’s resource and referral departments are your link to information and programs that can assist you with your child care needs. The resource and referral consultants provide parents with direct connections to local child care resources and community agencies, as well as national agencies and information. There are no fees for the association’s basic services and anyone interested in assistance with child care information is encouraged to contact the organization directly for individualized information on child care and other resources. The referrals provided are intended as referrals only, not as recommendations. Referral consultants do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider.
As you learn more about the Metroplex, you’ll find many private day care facilities including names you already be familiar with such as KinderCare Learning Center, La Petite Academy and neighborhood YMCAs.
SCHOOL SELECTION
Chances are that before you moved to the Dallas area, you were in contact with a real estate agent and already know where you’ll be living. However, some new residents with school-age children first examine the education landscape before deciding where to purchase a home. Either way, you’ll want to explore the area’s private schools and public school districts to determine the best educational options for your children.
While your child’s previous school is responsible for sending records of all grades and in-school testing, it’s wise if you can have these records with you once you’ve selected a school:
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE DALLAS REGION
The Texas public school system celebrated its 150th birthday on Jan. 31, 2004, marking the anniversary of the Common School Law of 1854. Now, school attendance is compulsory for every child between ages six and 18. The Texas Educational Code provides the framework for the current public education system, which is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board of Education. Led by the commissioner of education, the TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary education and, among other duties, develops a statewide curriculum, administers statewide assessment programs and rates school districts under the statewide accountability system.
Many placement agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pair
Au Pairs are foreign nationals between the ages of 18-26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12- month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child care services (maximum 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants three months of age or younger, unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child two years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child care experience.
CHILD CARE RESOURCES
The Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA) is a statewide network of member agencies representing child care resource and referral agencies, early childhood education programs and other agencies and organizations interested in promoting the development, maintenance and expansion of quality child care services in Texas. (www.taccrra.net)
A membership organization of TACCRRA’s located in Dallas is ChildCareGroup (www.childcaregroup.org) and Camp Fire USA First Texas Council (www.firsttexascampfire.org) in Fort Worth. Both organization’s resource and referral departments are your link to information and programs that can assist you with your child care needs. The resource and referral consultants provide parents with direct connections to local child care resources and community agencies, as well as national agencies and information. There are no fees for the association’s basic services and anyone interested in assistance with child care information is encouraged to contact the organization directly for individualized information on child care and other resources. The referrals provided are intended as referrals only, not as recommendations. Referral consultants do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider.
As you learn more about the Metroplex, you’ll find many private day care facilities including names you already be familiar with such as KinderCare Learning Center, La Petite Academy and neighborhood YMCAs.
SCHOOL SELECTION
Chances are that before you moved to the Dallas area, you were in contact with a real estate agent and already know where you’ll be living. However, some new residents with school-age children first examine the education landscape before deciding where to purchase a home. Either way, you’ll want to explore the area’s private schools and public school districts to determine the best educational options for your children.
While your child’s previous school is responsible for sending records of all grades and in-school testing, it’s wise if you can have these records with you once you’ve selected a school:
- The most recent report card
- Any education or psychological test results from private or in-school testing
- The Instructional Educational Plan (IEP) for special education students
- Immunization records
- Any medical records indicating learning or diet, which would include diabetes
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE DALLAS REGION
The Texas public school system celebrated its 150th birthday on Jan. 31, 2004, marking the anniversary of the Common School Law of 1854. Now, school attendance is compulsory for every child between ages six and 18. The Texas Educational Code provides the framework for the current public education system, which is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board of Education. Led by the commissioner of education, the TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary education and, among other duties, develops a statewide curriculum, administers statewide assessment programs and rates school districts under the statewide accountability system.
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