DAT Preschool
and Learning Center
DREAMERS • ACHIEVERS • THINKERS
A small, loving preschool for children ages 3 to 5 in east Houston — where learning feels like play, and every child is known by name.
Meet Melea
Melea Jones Thomas, founder of DAT. A mother and a teacher, originally from New Orleans and now rooted in east Houston.
DAT was built for this community, by one of its own — a mother and a teacher, for the families of east Houston. All families, cultures, and backgrounds are welcome here, and our school reflects the community we serve: our children see themselves in the people who teach them, the books they read, and the friends learning beside them.
Where DAT comes from
DAT started in New Orleans. Before it ever belonged to a football team, “Who Dat” was the chant of the students at St. Augustine, a Black high school in New Orleans: Who dat talkin’ bout beatin’ St. Aug? The Saints didn’t invent it. Black New Orleans did. I carried that spirit with me when I came to Houston. Here, DAT stands for Dreamers, Achievers, Thinkers. Every child who walks through our door is one of my little DATs: loved here, learning here, safe here, seen here, and fed well here, right here in east Houston.
Melea Jones ThomasFounder, DAT Preschool and Learning Center
What makes DAT different
Plenty of schools teach letters and numbers. DAT is built around three things families here can count on, every single day.
My why
“Everything I have ever wanted for my own children — to be dreamers, achievers, and thinkers — is what I want for your children, too.”
I started DAT because I wanted a small school where that is true every day, and every child is known by name.
After 18 years in licensed child care in Louisiana and Texas, I am building the school I have always wanted for my own children, right here for the families of east Houston — bringing a piece of New Orleans with me.
Low ratios
We stay small, with low teacher-to-child ratios — so every child is known by name and gets real attention.
The whole child
We develop the whole child — socially, emotionally, and everything in between: friendships, feelings, confidence, language, creativity, and movement, not just academics.
Care that feeds the neighborhood
Our building will include a food pantry for our families.
Our five promises
Five simple promises sit at the heart of everything we do.
Loved
Your child will be known by name, greeted with joy, and cared for like family.
Learn
Hands-on, play-based learning that builds real kindergarten readiness, step by step.
Safe
A small school where teachers know every child, and safety is never an afterthought.
Seen
Our children see themselves — in their teachers, their books, and each other — and every family's culture and story are honored and celebrated.
Fed Well
Real, nourishing food served with love, because growing minds need full bellies.
Programs by age
Small classrooms for ages 3, 4, and 5. Uniforms are mandatory: every child wears their color-coded uniform T-shirt every day. It's easier for families, too — no hunting for clothes every morning. For shoes, no open-toe shoes: tennis shoes every day, or another shoe closed at the toe and heel, except on a special event dress day announced by the school.
Little Dreamers
A gentle first school experience built on play, songs, stories, and lots of movement.
- First friendships and sharing
- Colors, shapes, and early counting
- Big feelings, kind words
Growing Achievers
Curiosity takes off — building, experimenting, asking questions, and trying new things.
- Letters, sounds, and early writing
- Hands-on science and building
- Garden time and nature walks
Ready Thinkers
Our oldest children step into green — green means go — ready for kindergarten and proud of it.
- Reading readiness and early math
- Problem-solving and leadership
- A joyful kindergarten send-off
How we learn
Learning that feels like play. Our own play-based, hands-on curriculum is being built for ages 3 to 5 and anchored to the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines — so children learn without realizing it, and arrive at kindergarten ready.
- FallStarting school, me & my family, community helpers, and Thanksgiving traditions
- WinterHolidays around the world, winter weather, transportation, and animals
- SpringPlants and gardens, birds, fish and insects, the zoo and the farm
- All yearFamily days for moms, dads, grandparents, uncles and aunties, Spirit Week, and a monthly Free Day — just fun
- SummerFun learning with science and STEM, with a two-week summer break for rest
Our own curriculum, built by a teacher
DAT's curriculum is our own, still in progress and being built with care — not bought off a shelf. It is written in plain language and planned week by week, with materials and steps spelled out for teachers.
A planned day — no idle time
Every minute of the DAT day is planned and accounted for — circle time, centers, outside play, meals, rest, and the transitions in between. A calm, predictable, full day is how young children learn best, and no child is left waiting around for the day to happen.
Real, nourishing meals and snacks, served with love — because a full belly helps a child focus, play, and grow. We nourish our children in body, mind, spirit, and heart.
One calendar for the whole family
We know many of our families have older children in Galena Park ISD, so we will do our best to follow the GPISD school schedule — lining up holidays, breaks, and the school year as closely as we can, so your family is not juggling two calendars.
The DAT Way
Real schools run on clear expectations, and so will DAT. Ours are simple, and they are the same for everybody — stated plainly here, so there are no surprises later.
Before care and aftercare are included in one tuition payment — no separate care fees.
Be on time — class starts at 7:15
Please be on time: for children not in before care, class starts promptly at 7:15 AM. After 8:00 AM, your child will not be allowed into class, so please plan accordingly — we do want your child present and in class every day.
Pickup is 5:00 PM sharp
Aftercare ends promptly at 5:00 PM — and we mean promptly. Pickup is at 5:00 PM sharp, with no grace period. Families who do not follow the 5:00 PM pickup rule will be dismissed from the program.
Uniforms and shoes
Please follow the uniform colors and closed-toe shoe rule in Programs by age above — they apply every school day.
We all must work together
Children do best when home and school are on the same team. We will communicate with you, listen to you, and work with you on goals, routines, and behavior — and we ask families to do the same with us. Same expectations, same kindness, same follow-through.
Opening Fall 2027 — be a founding family
We're building DAT now: licensing, our building, and our first class of Dreamers, Achievers, and Thinkers. Join the interest list and you'll be the first to hear enrollment news.
When does DAT open?
We are planning to open for Fall 2027 in East Houston (ZIP 77029). Families on the interest list will hear first about our exact location, tours, and enrollment dates.
What ages do you serve?
Children ages 3, 4, and 5 — see Programs by age above for each class.
What are the hours?
The school day runs 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Before care (from 6:00 AM) and aftercare (to 5:00 PM) are included in your one tuition payment — no separate care fees. See The DAT Way above for class start, entry, and pickup rules.
Is there an enrollment fee?
Yes — a $75 enrollment fee, charged at enrollment and again each year at re-enrollment. It covers your child's school supplies for the year.
Do you follow the GPISD school schedule?
We will do our best to — see How We Learn above for how we line up with Galena Park ISD.
Do children wear uniforms?
Yes — see Programs by age above for class colors and the shoe rule.
How do you support the whole child?
Not just academics — friendships, feelings, confidence, language, creativity, movement, and thinking skills, every day. See What makes DAT different above.
How do I ask about tuition?
Join the interest list or email us at info@datpreschool.com. We'll share tuition and enrollment details directly with interested families as opening approaches.
Can I work at DAT?
We're not hiring yet — DAT opens Fall 2027 — but teachers can join our Work With Us interest list below and be first to hear when founding-team hiring begins.
You're almost on the list!
Thank you — we have everything you typed, right here. One last tap opens your email app with your message already written to info@datpreschool.com. Just press Send in your email app, and you're officially on the interest list for Fall 2027.
Email app didn't open? Write to us directly at info@datpreschool.com — we'll add you by hand.
Work With Us
DAT opens Fall 2027, and we are not hiring yet — no jobs are posted. This is an interest list for our founding team: the teachers who will set the tone of this school from day one. If DAT sounds like the place you've been looking for, put your name down now and you'll be the first to hear when hiring begins.
Pay that respects teachers
Our founder comes from the classroom herself, and DAT pays like it. A teacher with a CDA starts at $15 an hour, and pay rises with higher education and years of experience in licensed preschool settings.
Small on purpose
We keep low ratios and small classes, and our teachers know every child in every class — not just the children in their own room.
The heart of the work
We're about community here. We want our teachers happy, loving their work, and loving these children — while they're in your care, they're your children, and we want you to feel joy when you see them. Prayer is part of life at DAT, too; if that's not your style, we understand — DAT may not be the place for you, and that's okay. We still wish you well.
Who we're hoping to meet
Warm, dependable early-childhood teachers — leads, assistants, and substitutes — who believe young children learn best through play, patience, and being truly known. Certification and experience matter here, and so does heart.
You're almost on the list!
Thank you — we have everything you typed, right here. One last tap opens your email app with your message already written to info@datpreschool.com. Just press Send in your email app, and you're on the Work With Us interest list. When founding-team hiring begins for Fall 2027, this list hears first.
Email app didn't open? Write to us directly at info@datpreschool.com — we'll add you by hand.