Hafley Development Center
Hafley Elementary School
Who We Are
We are Weldon Hafley Development Center, home of the Cubs.
Our campus is proud to offer high-quality early childhood education in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every young learner is supported. Our dedicated team builds strong relationships with families to ensure that each child is celebrated for their individuality and prepared for lifelong learning.
Our Mission
The Hafley Development Center mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, child-centered learning environment that fosters a love of learning while celebrating individual achievements.
Our Points of Pride
Our Cubs thrive in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment that prioritizes safety, support, and academic readiness. As a Texas Rising Star Four-Star Childcare Center, Hafley is proud to offer programs and experiences that meet the highest standards of early learning.
Highlights include:
- High-quality early childhood programs for Pre-K, Head Start, and early childhood special education
- A diverse and inclusive learning environment that values every child’s strengths
- Strong family partnerships supported through engagement opportunities like Coffee and Conversations, Family Outdoor Day, Parent Workshops, and regular campus newsletters
- A safe, nurturing culture enhanced by the Cub Crew volunteer program and VIP mentoring program
- Enrichment through community partnerships with organizations such as Fort Worth Opera, Community Link, EMS ISD Police, Saginaw Fire Department, and the Saginaw Library
EMS ISD Employee Childcare
Housed within the Hafley Development Center, the EMS ISD Employee Childcare program has supported district staff since 2005. As a Texas Rising Star Four-Star Certified Center, the program provides safe, nurturing care for infants through preschool-age children in a learning-rich environment.
Key features include:
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Low teacher-to-child ratios and affordable rates for EMS ISD employees
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Highly qualified staff and an onsite registered nurse
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Developmentally appropriate curriculum with ongoing assessments
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Indoor play space and multi-sensory, engaging learning activities
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Community enrichment from partners like Fort Worth Opera, Saginaw Library, EMS ISD Police, and Saginaw Fire Department
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Daily communication and strong family partnerships
This program offers peace of mind for families by combining high-quality care with a supportive, on-campus setting.
Every student. Unique. Limitless.
Our History
Weldon Hafley Development Center opened in 2005 as an early learning school for children across EMS ISD. The site—formerly known in the community as the "old Diamonds" grocery store—was transformed into a hub for early childhood education.
At opening, the building housed the district’s pre-kindergarten program, a Head Start partnership, early childhood special education, and the employee childcare center. Additional district services, such as the cosmetology program, staff computer lab, and book warehouse, also shared the facility. In 2010, renovations added more classrooms, a computer lab, and a full-service kitchen. The school was later named in honor of former EMS ISD Superintendent Weldon Hafley, a dedicated advocate for early education. Today, Hafley remains the district’s centralized early learning center serving all EMS ISD attendance zones.
The Community We Serve
We proudly serve eligible early childhood students from across all EMS ISD attendance zones, supporting learners from every neighborhood in our district.
