Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is The Edutainment Zone?
The Edutainment Zone is a Cognia-accredited, Reggio-inspired private preschool serving young children in the Rio Grande Valley. We offer limited infant care, toddler care, Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten in a play-based learning environment that pairs creativity and curiosity with strong early academics.
2. What ages and grades does The Edutainment Zone serve?
We serve children from infancy through Kindergarten, starting at 6-weeks and up to 12 years old for afterschool transportation.
3. Do you accept infants and toddlers?
Yes. We offer a limited number of infant and toddler spots. Because availability is limited, we recommend contacting us early to check current openings and join our list.
4. Do you serve students with diverse needs or special education needs?
Yes. The Edutainment Zone welcomes and serves children with diverse needs. We work with families to support each child's learning in our inclusive, play-based environment. Reach out to talk about your child's specific needs and how we can support them.
5. What does "Reggio-inspired" mean?
Reggio-inspired means our classrooms follow the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. Children learn through hands-on exploration, projects, and play, with teachers guiding their natural curiosity rather than relying on worksheets and rote drills. It's designed to build confident, creative, capable learners.
6. Is The Edutainment Zone accredited?
Yes. The Edutainment Zone is accredited by Cognia, a recognized accrediting body for schools. Accreditation means we meet established standards for educational quality and continuous improvement. All centers are also certified Texas Rising Star providers, with 4 stars.
7. Where is The Edutainment Zone located?
We have 4 locations in the Rio Grande Valley:
- Rio Grande City - 201 S. San Antonio St. Rio Grande City, TX
- Roma - 689 E. Grant St. Roma, TX
- Grulla - 6580 Rio Panico Suite 2 Rio Grande City, TX
- Mission - 3009 N. Conway Ave. Suite 7 Mission, Tx
8. What are your hours?
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM.
TEFA (Texas Education Freedom Accounts)
1. Is The Edutainment Zone a TEFA-approved provider?
Yes. The Edutainment Zone is an approved provider for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program, which means awarded families can use their TEFA funds toward tuition and educational expenses with us.
2. What is a Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA)?
A Texas Education Freedom Account is a state-funded account that gives eligible families money to spend on approved educational expenses, including private school tuition. Families apply and manage their funds through the Odyssey Parent Portal. Learn more at: educationfreedom.texas.gov/
3. How do I know if I was awarded TEFA funds?
TEFA award notifications have been sent. Log in to your Odyssey Parent Portal to see your status, the portal shows whether you were awarded funds or placed on the waitlist.
4. What is the deadline to confirm my school for TEFA?
If you were awarded TEFA funds, you must confirm your school by July 15, 2026. Even if you've already applied to a school, you still have to log in to the Odyssey Parent Portal and confirm your selection for the funds to follow your child.
5. How do I use my TEFA funds at The Edutainment Zone?
There are three steps: apply with us, log in to your Odyssey Parent Portal, and select The Edutainment Zone as your school before July 15, 2026. Our team can walk you through each step.
6. How much can TEFA cover at The Edutainment Zone?
Our yearly tuition is structured so TEFA families can have around $3,500 per year in funds available for educational expenses. Contact us for the specifics for your child's program.
Enrollment
1. How do I enroll my child at The Edutainment Zone?
Start by contacting us to schedule a tour and complete an application. If you're using TEFA funds, you'll then log in to your Odyssey Parent Portal and confirm The Edutainment Zone as your school before July 15, 2026.
2. Can I tour the school before enrolling?
Yes. We encourage families to schedule a tour, meet our teachers, and see the classrooms before enrolling. Contact us at 956-566-8110 to book a visit.
3. Is there a waitlist?
Some age groups have a waitlist. Contact us to confirm current availability.
Financial Aid
1. Do you accept CCS (Child Care Services) / Workforce assistance?
Yes. The Edutainment Zone accepts Child Care Services (CCS) subsidies through Workforce Solutions. If you qualify for CCS, you can use that assistance toward child care at our centers.
2. What is CCS / Workforce child care assistance?
Child Care Services (CCS) is a subsidy program administered through the Texas Workforce Commission and the local Workforce Solutions board. It helps eligible working families, families in school or training, and others who qualify cover the cost of child care.
3. How do I use my CCS / Workforce benefits at The Edutainment Zone?
First, apply for and get approved for CCS through your local Workforce Solutions office. Once you're approved, contact us to enroll your child and we'll coordinate with Workforce to set up your assistance. Our team can help walk you through the steps.
4. Who qualifies for CCS / Workforce child care assistance?
Eligibility is set by the Texas Workforce Commission and is generally based on factors like income, work or school status, and family size.
5. What other programs can help me pay for child care at The Edutainment Zone?
Beyond TEFA and CCS, there are several programs that can help Rio Grande Valley families cover child care costs, and we accept them at our centers:
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CBP / Border Patrol child care subsidy — fee assistance for qualifying U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees.
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Federal employee child care subsidies (FEEA) — assistance available through many federal agencies for licensed care.
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STC PASS Program — child care support for South Texas College students in Career & Technical Education programs.
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Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) — fee assistance for eligible active-duty military and qualifying federal families.