Stephen F. Austin State University has announced plans to gradually discontinue its Early Childhood Laboratory over the next few years due to rising operational costs that have rendered the program unsustainable.
Established in 1975, the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, commonly referred to as the child care lab, serves children from 8 weeks to 5 years old. The center boasts five classrooms and emphasizes a curriculum centered around autonomy, integrity, openness, problem-solving, and academics, as detailed on its website.
Although the center is accessible to the public and primarily funded by fees paid by parents, these revenues have not been sufficient to cover its expenses. Over the past five years, the university has had to supplement the program with an additional $750,000—averaging just over $100,000 annually—to maintain its operations. In light of tightening budgets and rising inflation, many institutions, including SFA, are exploring avenues to reduce spending.
“Everyone’s budgets are extremely constrained,” remarked Korbin Pate, executive director of marketing and communications at Stephen F. Austin State University. “Raising university tuition is not an option for us or anyone in the state. We are struggling to keep pace with inflation and the various challenges that arise, and everyone is searching for ways to cut costs.”
Pate noted that the center opted not to increase fees for parents, as child care costs are already significantly high. For the 2026-27 academic year, tuition rates for full-time students range from $885 per month for the Pre-K II classroom—serving 4 and 5-year-olds—to $1,070 for infant care.
The university’s phased closure of child care operations will begin with the infant room during the 2027-28 academic year, followed by the sequential closure of additional classrooms.
Child care centers play a vital role in the Texas economy; however, they face substantial operational costs, including insurance, food, and payroll, leading many to shut down due to financial constraints. According to Children At Risk, a nonprofit advocacy and research organization focused on children’s well-being, the number of “child care deserts”—areas lacking sufficient child care facilities—has increased in the past year.
SFA’s announcement underscores the mounting challenges associated with providing child care in rural Texas, even for well-supported institutions like the University of Texas system, which SFA joined in 2023.
“If a university can’t sustain its child care program, what does that imply for other centers in the community and across the state?” questioned Kim Kofron, director of early childhood education for Children at Risk.
These programs not only offer essential child care services but also serve as training grounds for emerging child care professionals. Rebecca Boyett, the lead teacher in the infant room since 2016, began her career at the lab in 2014 as an assistant, and she has nurtured many infants in Nacogdoches since.
“The chance for students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings is an invaluable aspect of their education,” Boyett noted.
However, Pate pointed out that the number of early childhood education students utilizing the lab for practical training has declined by 30% in the last five years. The enrollment in degree programs that previously relied on the lab has diminished, with some students opting for field experience elsewhere.
“Consequently, there isn’t a sufficient academic component to justify offsetting the deficit with tuition revenue from SFA,” Pate explained.
Boyett expressed concern over the negative impact of the closure on the community, which is already grappling with a shortage of child care facilities. The Early Childhood Lab consistently maintains a full roster, with a waiting list for families eager to enroll their children in a quality preschool program.
“The commitment, expertise, and passion of our teachers create an educational experience that is truly exceptional and unmatched by any other early childhood program in our region,” she emphasized.
In response to the impending closure, Boyett began raising awareness earlier this week, leading community members to initiate a petition aimed at preserving the program. The phasing out of this facility will result in the loss of 72 high-quality child care spots for the youngest residents of East Texas.
