Children of full-time Irving ISD employees are eligible for enrollment in Baby University. The program will serve children of full-time Irving ISD employees starting at 6 weeks old, until they are eligible for PreK at age 3. To be eligible, employee children must be born and have not turned 3 before September 1.  Children age 3 or older on September 1 are not eligible for the Baby University program and are welcome to enroll in Irving ISD’s PreK 3 program at one of the early childhood schools. Infants must be 6 weeks old to enter the program.

Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. There is currently one Baby University location and has a finite number of spaces or “seats” within the different age ranges. If demand among employee families exceeds available seats, a waiting list will be created for those who were not awarded seats.

6 Weeks - 12 Months

13 Months - 17 Months

18 Months - 23 Months

24 Months - 35 Months

Students who are age 3 or over on September 1 are not eligible for Baby University and are welcome to enroll in IISD’s PreK 3 program at one of the early childhood schools.

Yes. In an effort to keep families and siblings together, if a family has multiple eligible children registered and a student is awarded a seat at Baby University, priority will be given to award a seat to the sibling, based on available space within the relevant age range. However, this may not always be possible. In this instance, the sibling would be placed on a waiting list and given a spot when the first available space becomes open.

The application process will open on January 8, 2025 at 5 PM for the 2025-2026 school year, which will begin in late September/early October. Registration will remain open for five weeks closing on February 11, 2025 at 5 PM. Children whose parents apply after February 11 will not be considered for seats until after initial placements are made among children whose application was completed by the deadline. If demand for seats exceeds available space, a waiting list in the order of application date will be created.  Initial placement notifications are projected to be made on February 24, 2025. All applicants will be notified, whether they have been awarded a seat initially or not.

Applications will be available through a web-based application. The link will be available on the IrvingISD.net/BabyU webpage beginning on January 8, 2025 at 5 PM.

The Baby University application program will keep all applications active and utilize a waitlist system to fill any vacant seats throughout the school year, based on the same space available parameters.  

The priority order to fill seats that open during the program year is as follows:

1. Siblings of currently enrolled Baby University students for whom no space was available after the family was awarded a seat in the initial phase, based on age and space available for the open seat.

2. Those next on the waiting list will be notified of space available and will be given 2 weeks to register for the program. If the seat is declined, the next person on the waitlist will be notified.

Yes. Current children at Baby University are guaranteed a space the following school year. Once those students are placed, the open spaces will be available for new families.

Yes; however, parents must complete the tuition pre-enrollment form by April 1 the prior year of enrollment. 

No. There are no fees other than the monthly tuition and fees for late pick-up during the year.

The tuition rates vary by age and are payable through payroll deduction only. 

Six Weeks - 17 Months: $800 a Month

18 Months - 35 Months : $700 a Month

Late fees will be as follows and will also be taken from payroll deduction:

$1 a minute the first three occurrences

$5 a minute after the third occurrence

Yes, the Baby University program is an Irving ISD teacher and employee recruitment and retention initiative. A child’s continued Baby University enrollment is contingent upon the continued full-time IISD employment of at least one parent. Employees who voluntarily depart or are terminated from full-time Irving ISD employment forfeit their child(ren)’s seat(s) in the childcare program. If an employee departs Irving ISD and later returns, previously-enrolled Baby University children must be re-registered as new students and placed on a wait list until a space is available.

If a parent chooses to take a maternity leave that extends past 6 weeks of age, the employee may hold the seat for up to an additional 6 weeks for the $800/monthly fee (prorated if needed). Anytime Irving ISD is holding a spot for a child, parents must pay the monthly fee as this is a self-sustaining program.  

No. Due to the anticipated demand for the program, there cannot be part-time enrollment. Enrolled children are expected to attend daily on a regular basis, with normal exceptions (illness, appointments, etc.).

IISD will only hold a seat for 12 weeks (with parents paying the monthly fee).  If the child is born later in the school year, the family will be awarded a seat if there is space available.  If there is no space available, the child will be placed on the waiting list and given priority to keep the siblings together. 

Yes, your child’s online application serves as a waitlist until space is available. Waitlists are processed in the order that they are received and remain active for up to one year from the date submitted.

Only if a grandparent is the court appointed/documented guardian of the child.  

Yes.  Prior to the start of each school year, an evening will be dedicated to an open house/meet the teacher event.  

The construction of Baby University is set to be completed at the end of July.  The licensing application can then be sent to the state for approval.  Once the application has been approved and the building passes inspection from the city and the licensing department, the building will be set to open.  This could take between two weeks to two months.  We are anticipating the opening to take place at the end of September 2025.

Baby University will follow the teacher calendar (187 days) and will be open from 7:00 am - 5:30 pm. 

Yes, as the fee will compensate for overtime pay.  

Late fees will be as follows and will also be taken from payroll deduction:

$1.00 a minute the first three occurrences

$5.00 a minute after the first three occurrences

Doors will remain locked at all times.  The facility will be designed with the same double buzz in/secure vestibule protocol used at other IISD campuses.  All IrvingISD employees who are parents/guardians of enrolled children must display their district-issued badge at all times while on property, will use their district-issued key access card/ID Badge to enter the building, and will be required to to use the same door to enter/exit the facility.  One additional badge will be issued to a non-employee who will also be picking up and dropping off a child to the program.  Both of the adults (employee and non-employee) will be processed with a background check through the Department of Human Health and Resources as this is a requirement for licensing.  The badges will be active from 7:00-9:00 AM and 3:30-5:30 PM daily. Any other adult dropping off or picking up a child who does not have a district-issued badge or adults with the keyless entry badges coming at undesignated times will have to be buzzed in, identification will be required, and the adult must match the list of parent-provided emergency contacts provided by the parent/guardian.  A staff member will escort the child to class after arrival and bring the child from the classroom to the reception area for pick up. 

• Secure sign in and out system

• First-Aid and CPR certified teachers and staff members

• Routine drills to include the following:  

• Fire Drills

• Shelter In Place - Bad Weather Drills

• Lock Down Drills

• Cameras in every classroom (internal use only)

Yes, parents are always welcome at Baby University.  All visits and observations should be arranged with the center director and supervisor of IISD employees prior to arrival.  

IISD will utilize the Infant and Toddler Frog Street Curriculum, which vertically aligns with our PreK 3 program.  

Each class will move up together at the beginning of every school year.  The Baby University program is designed to meet and accommodate each child at their developmental level regardless of age, allowing them to progress at their pace.  On rare occasions, a child may change classes mid year to best accommodate their needs and to comply with required ratios.  

All schedules will include free play and exploration in the classroom, indoor and outdoor gross motor play, music and fingerplays, story times, scheduled naps, and feeding/meals based on individual and classroom needs.

Children will be scheduled to go outside twice daily, and sometimes more, weather permitting.  The playground is equipped with safe and age-appropriate equipment for the children to enjoy with their friends. 

Yes, with the exception of infant food/formula.  Other aged students will be provided meals by IISD that include a breakfast snack, lunch meal, and afternoon snack.  Parents may also send a nutritious meal. Parents will be responsible for providing foods for students with special diets and allergies.  IISD will not feed a child foods from the menu that they are allergic to; however, a new menu will not be created for food allergies or special diets. A menu will be sent home and posted monthly.

Yes.  Each classroom will have a refrigerator to store milk and formula. 

Yes.  Private accommodations will be available for any mother wishing to pump or breastfeed on site.  IISD employees may do so during drop off or pick up window.  Non-IISD employee mothers may come and nurse at any point during the operating day.  

Parents will receive daily reports and notifications through the app with individual student information, be provided a monthly newsletter/calendar, and display a parent information board outside of each classroom.  The parent information boards will consist of lesson plans, snack/lunch menus, staff introductions, and monthly calendar of events.  

Our childcare center uses ChildPilot, which is an online communication tool. Teachers update the app throughout the day to keep parents/guardians informed of everything their child is doing and learning, from meals to potty breaks to exceptional education. This app will give you real-time peace of mind.

In addition, our center will communicate with families via email and by phone when necessary.

Yes.  Events will be scheduled and invites will be sent and posted several different times a year.

Parent provided supplies will vary by age of student and can include items such as diapers, wipes, diaper cream, sunscreen, bottles with formula/breast milk, baby food and cereal, a water bottle/sippy cup, sleep sack, etc.  A list will be provided to parents once they are enrolled. 

IISD will provide burp cloths, mealtime bibs, cots, sheets, blankets, gloves, and cleaning supplies.  Students of appropriate age will also receive a breakfast snack, lunch meal, and afternoon snack.

Surfaces and materials will be sanitized at the end of each day and as needed if an accident occurs.  Any materials coming in contact with bodily fluid or soiled will be removed from use and cleaned/sanitized before re-use.  Sheets and blankets are washed weekly and/or more frequently if soiled.

Personnel staffing for Baby University will consist of employees who undergo background checks, fingerprinting, required state training, and demonstrate an aptitude for child care and development.   Baby University staff will be compensated at rates typically exceeding the childcare industry average.  

The student to staff ratio will follow licensing and/or NAEYC standards. High quality care is IISD’s priority at the Baby University.  The district will strive to operate at ratios below what state childcare licensing mandates.

• 6 weeks-11 months (2 Classes) 4:1 Ratio with 10 Maximum in a Class
• 12-17 Months (2 Classes) 5:1 Ratio with 13 Maximum in a Class
• 18-23 Months (2 Classes) 8:1 Ratio with 16 Maximum in a Class
• 24-36 Months (2 Classes) 9:1 Ration with 18 Maximum in a Class

IISD security cameras will be in place in each classroom and throughout the facility.  However, cameras will not be accessible to parents.  Cameras are put in place for internal purposes only and are in place for the safety of both children and staff.