Applicant Policies

(updated Oct. 2023)

Because the CDRC serves both a research and teaching mission for Texas Tech University, the enrollment policy is designed to provide a high-quality teacher training and research program. Enrollment is open to families in the Texas Tech and surrounding communities with the goal of having a well-rounded, diverse group of children and families that is representative of the general population. All families are welcome regardless of race, religion, cultural heritage, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or differing ability. The CDRC does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and other Center-administered programs.

Children are not enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Selection of children is based on a comprehensive approach with the following considerations: age, special needs, family structure and socio-economic status.  Siblings of children who will be concurrently enrolled in the CDRC will receive special consideration, but no guarantee is made that siblings will be enrolled.

Parents who are considering first-time enrollment of their child are encouraged to visit the Center for a tour. The scheduling of these visits should be arranged through the CDRC office at (806) 742-3016. A child's application for enrollment can be completed at any time before or after the Center visit. A child is not considered to have applied until the appropriate form has been completed, returned, and the non-refundable $50.00 per child application fee is paid. It is important, once the application is complete, to update the Center about any telephone, email, and/or address changes. The date of application is considered only when and if there is a need to choose between two or more children who could equally fulfill the Center's enrollment needs. Our acceptance of this application does not imply eventual placement for the child. Traditionally, there is a high ratio of children applying to the number of spaces available. It is very unusual that the CDRC has any openings during the school year. Most children, when enrolled in the Center, do not leave until they go to Kindergarten. It is common for us to go an entire school year without enrolling any new children.

Applications will be accepted each May 1st through April 30th for the following school year. For example, applications made May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023 will be considered for enrollment consideration to begin August 2023. Each May we will begin enrollment for the following school year. Please note that the CDRC receives many more applications for enrollment than we have spaces become available each year. Completing an application is necessary before enrollment consideration can be made. However, it is certainly not ever a guarantee for enrollment. Once enrollment is complete, families are notified in writing of their acceptance into the program or if they are considered to still be waiting for a spot to open for that current school year. Each May 1st the application process begins again for the next school year. All families have an opportunity to apply again for a space the following school year and pay the non-refundable $50.00 per child application fee.

A non-refundable registration fee of $150.00 per child is payable at the time enrollment is offered to the family.  Payment of the fee confirms* the child's place in the program for the calendar year.  Families enrolling at any time before or during the school year will pay this fee.  There is no registration fee for enrollment in summer school.   Once enrolled, a child is guaranteed continued enrollment in the program until he or she becomes ineligible for enrollment (for example because of age, failure to pay fees or complete required paperwork) or the family withdraws from the program.  *An offer of enrollment to a sibling of a currently enrolled child remains valid only if the child currently enrolled remains enrolled and attends the full semester after the sibling's enrollment.  Siblings must be concurrently enrolled and attending in order for the sibling's preferential enrollment to remain valid.  

The CDRC maintains optimum child/teacher ratios as determined by our accrediting body, the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs: