Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA) recently announced the development of Educare San Antonio, an innovative childcare and early education center designed in partnership with RDG Planning & Design and Pfluger Architects. The facility addresses the growing need for accessible childcare in South San Antonio, serving the university and the surrounding community. Educare San Antonio will be the first Educare facility in Texas and joins the national network dedicated to elevating the quality of early childhood education.
Located in South Bexar County, an area recognized as a “childcare desert,” Educare San Antonio will offer services for more than 200 children, including wraparound services such as counseling, special education support and after-school programs. The 25,000-SF facility is designed with the latest research-based practices in early learning and will also provide hands-on professional training for early childhood educators. These efforts will help ensure that every child, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to high-quality education and developmental resources.
“Educare San Antonio is a perfect example of how we can create environments that support learning, growth and connection – both for the children who will attend and the educators who will train here,” said RDG Architect and Partner Ed Buglewicz, AIA. “Working closely with TAMUSA and our project and community partners, we’re creating a space that will elevate early childhood education while addressing the critical need for accessible, high-quality childcare in South Bexar County.”
The facility’s design integrates flexible classroom spaces, outdoor learning areas and advanced technology to support teaching and professional development. In addition to providing high-quality childcare, Educare San Antonio will act as a teaching site for educators, offering training opportunities through partnerships with local organizations and the national Educare network. Much like a teaching hospital for medical professionals, the center will allow teachers, administrators and early childhood professionals to learn and apply best practices in real time.
Drawing on the region’s unique architecture and cultural heritage, the design is welcoming and familiar to children and their families while remaining functionally efficient for educators. “We wanted the building’s form, materials and layout to honor the local context while providing a supportive environment for Educare’s innovative educational mission,” said Chris Lammers, AIA, higher education practice director at Pfluger Architects.
Once complete, Educare San Antonio will elevate the quality of early childhood education and serve as a hub of innovation, inspiration and transformation in the local community and early childhood ecosystem. The $19.7 million facility is expected to break ground in 2024, with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2026. Enrollment will be open to families in Bexar County, with funding assistance available for low-income households.
