Both my children have attended First English CDC and we absolutely love it. My child asked me…read moreyesterday if the school week could be 10 days long instead of 5, I think that sums it up nicely! We love the small school feel of it, with community and teachers who know the children well. The school is an establishment in the community, and I meet many people with grown kids who attended there. My kids love the shady playground, and my older kid who is no longer there still maintains that it has the best swings in Austin. There is also a nice open indoor hall for rainy or hot days, as well as activities like Soccer Shots they offer. There is a healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack cooked each day by the school chef. The school is play based and focused on learning through play, which I think is perfect for this age. Thank you First English.

Both our children have attended First English since they were 18 months old (they're now 3.5y and…read more5y) and we couldn't be happier. The staff provides a caring, safe, supportive and educational environment for the children, with a bonus of prioritizing social-emotional learning and Montessori-esque methods. Our kids have been excited to go to school every day (huge win) and I'm so grateful not to have to pack a breakfast, lunch or snack because it's all offered by the school (and included in the tuition!). Highly recommend.

My children were at Leaps N Bounds for a year and a half - we had an outstanding experience. The…read moreteachers were caring and the environment was always clean and safe. I appreciated that the rooms don't have a lot of clutter and that the teachers are well trained. I would recommend to anyone who lives or works in the North Austin area.

Leaps N Bounds has been a godsent. The teachers there really care about the kids and there is very…read morelittle turn over. Each "school year" my daughter has had the same teacher for that entire year. This was not the case at our last day care. Ms. Annette really cares about the families who attend the school and she creates a positive environment for the kids. The Pre-K graduation was SO well done and the kids had a blast. I felt they went above and beyond and continue to create exciting things for the kids to look forward to (splash day, holiday parties, etc) Ms. Emmy, Ms. Perla, Ms. Maritza, Ms. Michelle and Ms. Diana are wonderful! My daughter comes home with stories of what she did with her teachers that day and it makes me happy knowing she is being well taken care of. We are so sad that our daughter will be leaving for Kindergarten but they have done an amazing job getting her ready!

Our son has been at Barton Creek Childcare since he was 6 months old, for a year now. We have been…read moredelighted at how happy he is to be dropped off in their care. We receive frequent updates throughout the days of the curriculum and activities he does, and love the art we receive when he comes home. We have experienced nothing but flexibility and genuine care and love for our son from the staff. Ms Daniela is always so communicative about him and I am so appreciative of the attention with which he has been cared for there. And the seasonal parties for parents to see the kids play are always such a treat!

As a childcare director I'm looking at childcare centers from a different perspective than most. I…read morewas looking for a school with low turnover, loving and kind teachers and a safe space for my children to develop. I found this and more with Priscilla and Elizabeth. My children came from a negative experience at a nature center nearby and I was very concerned about my oldest daughters self esteem from this experience. The teachers here have been so kind and loving to my spicy little girl as well as bolstering my oldest daughters self esteem. They feel loved and safe with some great extra curriculars and appropriate developmental learning opportunities. I love them and will be sending my girl back for the summer after kinder. Thanks Ladies!

Our family has been part of the Stepping Stone School community for nearly a decade, spanning three…read morechildren and multiple campuses, and I can honestly say they have been one of the greatest blessings to our family. My oldest son, Race, first attended Stepping Stone Hyde Park as a baby before transferring to the Wells Branch Parkway campus. Later, my younger son attended both Wells Branch and the Round Rock location. Throughout every transition, we were met with the same thing: caring teachers, strong leadership, consistency, structure, and genuine love for our children. At both Hyde Park and Wells Branch, Ms. Brenda and Ms. Jennifer played a huge role in our boys' lives. They created an environment where our children felt safe, supported, and excited to learn every day. When our family faced difficult seasons, they showed us incredible kindness and flexibility, helping provide stability for our children when we needed it most. At the Round Rock AW Grimes campus, Liz continued that same tradition of excellence. She was always accommodating, compassionate, and deeply invested in the well-being of the children and families she served. Now, years later, I have re-enrolled my daughter Hana at the Hyde Park campus, and I was thrilled to discover that Ms. Brenda is currently serving as interim principal there. When I told my oldest son that Hana would be attending Hyde Park and that Ms. Brenda was her principal, his immediate response was, "Aw, that makes me really happy." That simple comment spoke volumes. Years later, he still remembers the people who cared for him and made him feel loved. The Hyde Park campus has blossomed tremendously since my boys attended. It is clear how much thought, effort, and care have gone into improving the experience for both children and parents. From the moment we enrolled, Ms. Brenda made the process seamless and welcoming. Hana received a personalized Stepping Stone backpack, a teddy bear, and a book as a welcome gift, which was such a thoughtful touch. That teddy bear quickly became one of her favorite possessions. What continues to impress me most is the quality of the people. Hana's teachers are warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in the children. You can tell they care deeply about their development, happiness, and well-being. That level of commitment is something that cannot be faked, and it's something I've consistently experienced across every Stepping Stone campus we've attended. I also love the daily photo updates and communication, the STEM-focused curriculum, the outdoor play opportunities, and the summer Splash Days that keep the kids active, engaged, and having fun. The teachers and staff work together as a team, and it shows. Special recognition should also go to educators like Ms. Lisa at Wells Branch and Ms. Olga at AW Grimes, who has dedicated decades of her career to caring for children through Stepping Stone. That kind of longevity speaks volumes about the culture and values of the organization. Finding childcare is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. After experiencing Stepping Stone with three children over many years, I can confidently say that they have consistently exceeded our expectations. The level of care, communication, education, and support they provide is exceptional. They don't just care for children; they help shape them, support families through life's challenges, and create memories that last long after graduation. Thank you to Ms. Brenda, Ms. Jennifer, Liz, Ms. Lisa, and all of the incredible teachers who have loved, taught, and supported our children over the years. Our family is deeply grateful.

Our son started at stepping stone Hyde park when he was 5 months and almost a year later we are so…read moresad to leave (we are moving out of state). We love Calen the principal and Ms Karina in the infant room (along with a bunch of other amazing teachers). Stepping stone has been a safe, reliable and caring environment for our son and he is thriving. He is so happy, so active and loves his school and classmates. We are truly so sad to go and have can't thank stepping stone enough for the amazing experience. This location is adorable, has great hours, strong communication and overall an amazing place. We truly had an outstanding experience. I also love that they are open while many others are closed

We absolutely loved our time at Goddard Steiner Ranch!…read more Both of my daughters (ages 1.5 and 3) attended for about a year, and I can honestly say it was such a wonderful experience from start to finish. My youngest was only there for about six months, but in that short time she learned so much -- singing her ABCs, counting, naming colors, and even identifying emotions! Ms. Amy and Ms. RiRi were amazing with her, and she adored going to school every morning. My 3-year-old had Ms. Rosie for a bit, who was so warm and engaging -- she even taught her how to "boop," which she still does to people to this day! Then she moved on to Ms. Abby and Ms. Mary, who are both phenomenal teachers and truly loved by all the kids (especially my daughter -- they were her favorites!). The front office staff was always welcoming, accommodating, and communicative. The daycare itself is clean, organized, and full of fun, creative activities. One thing I really appreciated is that there wasn't a lot of staff turnover, which made it feel more like a family. We had to move, otherwise we'd still be there. We miss the teachers and the community so much. If you're considering enrolling -- take a tour, and see for yourself!

I'm updating my review since I found LOTS of horrible reviews of this school from other parents…read moreand employee reviews of this school that are.. eye opening to say the least. I attached those screenshots so they don't get buried with the good reviews Jennifer pays people to write. Also for parents, if you seem skeptical ask questions! My cell is 7132926701 you can reach out to me there or you can reach out to me on Facebook etc. It's obvious Jennifer Burton ( the owner) wants to refute these claims, but I will not be silenced. My child starts to physically shake walking into any other school now. I keep asking myself why? what happened to my child at that School? She's terrified, and that is so not normal. Parents- if your kiddo is screaming and crying saying "I don't like my school" LISTEN TO THEM!

I would strongly suggest staying away from this facility at all costs. In the less than one year…read morethat our daughter attended this school, the following occurred. * A teacher instigated an altercation with a parent with absolutely no recourse from school management. * 9/16/22: I witnessed an assistant alone with 8 children, screaming at one child in his face to sit down or she would make him sit down. The "solution" was for this assistant to never be alone with children again and she was "coached". I subsequently witnessed this assistant alone with children again on 9/23/22 and she was ultimately moved to another age group on 9/30/22. One can only assume so that I wouldn't witness her interacting with children alone again. * Marked disorganization and inconsistency within the jellyfish room specifically. * Our daughter was bitten twice. * Our daughter sat in soiled diapers for too long resulting in painful diaper rash, even complaining to her dad on occasion at pick up that her booty hurt and she really needed her diaper changed - something she's never asked for until our time at CCOA. * I've picked her up twice with pus pouring out of her ear that teachers did not notice. * I witnessed a teacher wipe our daughter back to front on several occasions (this did not improve even after I brought it to management's attention). * The jellyfish classroom had two teachers abruptly depart without notice. * Numerous personal items went missing despite being labeled with our daughter's name. * Numerous items that were not our daughter's were sent home with her. This shows the disorganization of the room. * Labeled children's bins in the wrong cubbies with wrong personal items in them. Again, showing the disorganization of the room and of the teachers this school chose to hire. * Unclear and inconsistent instructions for splash pad days leading to miscommunication and frustration. * Very rare (less than once a week) photos of our daughter despite repeated pleas for frequent pictures. * A few months ago, I witnessed a mother drop her infant off with a teacher who was strolling the other infants around in the large multi-baby stroller. The teacher said that she would just hold the baby because the last available seat had a broken seatbelt. When I came back around the corner after dropping our daughter off, the mother was gone and that baby was "strapped" into the broken seat. Unacceptable and dangerous. Again, choose another daycare provider for your children.

It makes me sad to have to write this review but I'm hoping what happened to us at the Children's…read moreCenter of Austin, Westlake doesn't happen to another family. My son attended the Children Center of Austin, Westlake location from mid January to mid April, 2024. He was 6-9 months old while there. Our top priority has always been the safety and well-being of our son, yet incidents underscored our concerns regarding his safety while under the care of CCOA. Our son was diagnosed with severe food allergies and had a few occasions of anaphylactic shock. Luckily never while at daycare but for the third time in a month, our son was placed in a different classroom without us knowing, the substitute teacher was NOT aware of his anaphylactic allergies and did NOT know the location of his Epi-pen. Senior management's response was to keep changing policies with the latest one being that they wanted his Epi-pen to be located outside the classroom, such as at the front desk or office, but there were many occasions when we've arrived and found no one at the front desk or office -- this left us deeply troubled and indicated a sever lack of understanding about the urgency of anaphylactic allergies. Furthermore, the continued misidentification of our son as another kids name by staff members added to our concerns. This oversight continued to reflect a lack of attention to detail. Senior leaderships response was 'we can understand the teachers continued mistake as your son and the other kid do look similar.' The similarities are that our kids both have the same eye color and hair color. There were MANY other smaller issues: sent home wearing other kids diapers and clothes, terrible diaper rash on multiple occasions (even after raising concerns from our doctor to Senior Management), using other kids diaper cream on our kid, photos loaded to the app that were not our child, misrepresentation of what our kid ate listed on the app... the list goes on. We exhausted all avenues in attempting to resolve these issues with Senior Management but unfortunately, issues continued to arise, leaving us with no choice but to prioritize our son's safety above all else and leave. We cannot recommend this school as a safe environment for children. The evident deficiencies in leadership undermine their ability to create a secure and nurturing setting. Until meaningful changes are made at the leadership level, we fear these issues will persist, ultimately impacting the well-being of the children under their care.

We live in Central Austin and have sent both of our children to My Friend's House since they were…read morebabies. Our oldest is now 4 and in the "big kid" classroom and will be starting Kindergarten next year. They've responded exceptionally well to the COVID19 situation and have been handling it incredibly well. Organized, efficient, and with a sense of community. We cannot say enough great things about this daycare. It's a tight-knit group of kids, and you feel the warm, nurturing, and supportive environment the moment you walk in. Our daughter is very outgoing, happy-go-lucky and well-rounded thanks in large part to the staff and upbringing she has experienced at My Friend's House. The classroom sizes are small enough where the teachers get to know the kids well and do a great job keeping an eye on them. There are activities each month, age-appropriate curriculum to help support them and the hours are great. The school is part of the campus of the church, and it is a very welcoming environment for everyone of all faiths and beliefs. A warm, welcoming environment. They also offer extra-curricular activities that should start back up once things settle with COVID. If you have any questions about whether you'd like to send your children to My Friend's House, I would be happy to speak more about it. Feel free to reach out to me and I can share more.

My daughter (who is 20 months at the time of this review) has been at MFH since she was three…read moremonths old. The Good: - The teachers have a genuine love for the kids and really nurture them. I see it in every teacher who has watched over my daughter, and for me, that kind of genuine affection was the deciding factor when I did my (exhaustive) childcare search. - I find a non-profit childcare setting to be a more positive, personal experience as compared with the for-profit centers I toured. - The majority of the teachers have been at the center for years -- many have put their own children through MFH. They're treated well by the administration and repay it with loyalty. The only comings and goings my daughter has experienced have been due to chronic illnesses or someone moving away to be closer to family. - The typical ratios are actually a bit lower than the state mandate, and the center is diligent about maintaining them. - There's a strong sense of community. There is a fall festival, class parties for major holidays, and the kids get little events like a pony rides and fire truck visits there at the church which they really enjoy. There are school-wide work days where parents and teachers alike pitch in to spruce up the center, and it feels good to be a part of that kind of cooperation. The Not So Good: - The administration is terrible at communication. If you want to know something, you have to bug them repeatedly and proactively seek information. Twice now my daughter has been bumped up to the next age group classroom and I was lucky to get a week's notice that it was happening. Not cool. Likewise, I have had several times that I've had to get personal contact information for my child's caretakers because the administration wasn't bothering to tell them what was going on when I called in sick. - The menu could be greatly improved from a nutrition perspective. Granted, I'm a bit of a nut on that point, and technically their food program meets federal nutritional guidelines. But the canned veggies and fruits and the pervasive eggos/french toast sticks/hot dogs/quesadillas bug me. I feel that the "give 'em what they'll eat" approach has really hampered my efforts at home to expose the munchkin to a wider variety of foods. They also basically require the kids to be on the meal plan, and there's not a storage option for bringing your own food. I had to get a DOCTOR'S NOTE just to request that my daughter not be served juice. It's quite silly. Overall, I'd recommend MFH. I've been happy with my experience there despite the occasional frustrations!

We have been extremely satisfied with the care and attention our son has received in the two and a…read morehalf years he has been enrolled here. Activities are well thought-out and there is ample time built into each day for arts & crafts, reading books, playground time, and other activities (and oh yes, the all-important nap!). The staff-to-child ratio is higher than what we have seen at other daycares and the current head of school, Courtnee, has gone above and beyond in getting to know each child and their parents. One benefit to a Montessori model is having mixed age classrooms. Especially with the toddler room (18 months - 3 yrs), it provides the opportunity for younger kids to see behavior and action modeled by older kids, particularly with potty training. Our son can see children of the same age or slightly older go through that step and I think it has taken out much of the anxiety. He has picked up good habits such as helping to clean up and put things back, sharing, and being kind to others, and I am confident he is safe, well cared for, and growing while at Guidepost.

We highly recommend Guidepost Montessori Westlake to any family looking for a nurturing and…read morehigh-quality Montessori toddler and preschool program in the Westlake / Austin area. Our son has been attending Guidepost Montessori Westlake since he was 18 months old, and now at almost 4 years old we couldn't be happier with our experience. Our son has a big personality and can be very energetic, and the guides have always met him with incredible patience, kindness, and understanding. We've seen amazing growth in his social skills and language development, and he has become much more confident communicating with both children and adults. A very special thank you to Ms. Angela and Ms. Jacqueline. They are truly wonderful guides who care deeply about the children. Their calm, nurturing approach has made such a positive difference for our son. They were also incredibly supportive during potty training, approaching it with patience and encouragement, which made the process so much easier for our family. The school environment is beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully prepared, and the administration is always organized, responsive, and supportive. We also love the enrichment programs offered at the school like Kinder Dance, piano lessons, Spanish, and sports, which give the children wonderful opportunities to explore different interests. Most importantly, our son is happy and excited to go to school every day, which says everything. We feel very grateful to be part of the Guidepost Montessori Westlake community. Parent perspective: "As a parent, there is nothing more reassuring than knowing your child is safe, respected, and truly cared for every day. Guidepost Montessori Westlake has been an incredible place for our son to grow." If you're a parent looking for a thoughtful, patient, and well-run Montessori toddler or preschool program in Westlake or Austin, this school is truly a special place for children to learn, grow, and thrive