Both my children have attended First English CDC and we absolutely love it. My child asked me yesterday 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. read more

Both our children have attended First English since they were 18 months old (they're now 3.5y and 5y) 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. read more

We've sent our first-born child there since we were able to get off the waitlist and put our second child on the waitlist since before he was born and he'll be attending this fall now that he is of age (FELCDC accepts children from 18 months thru Pre-K). FELCDC is expertly run and the teachers (Miss Adrienne, Malcom, Jessica, Crystal, Meegan and the others) are wonderful with our daughter. We can tell she loves them all and is loved back. There has been very little turnover in teachers since we arrived which gives us great peace of mind. It's wonderful to see so many familiar faces there. I feel the kids in her class are all very well behaved and they've become friends. There is a wonderful community amongst parents and the children and prior to COVID there were many birthday parties and meetups which have since transferred to Zoom. Our daughter has missed her classmates dearly. During COVID-19 many daycares across Austin and the state of Texas have suffered and many have closed permanently. FELCDC closed in March but are reopening in July and have space available. LaQuetha, the director of FELCDC put a long and very detailed safety plan in place which I'm sure she would share with prospective families. I should also mention that our children are Jewish and they accommodate all religions there. We feel very lucky to be in a neighborhood with such a loving and expert child development center. read more

FELCDC is such a special place. We were drawn to the play-based approach. They are always finding creative and new ways to learn. Ms. Jennifer's food is delicious. Not having to pack lunch or snacks is so wonderful, and knowing that the food provided is nutritious and delicious is even better. They also introduce extra-curricular likes music, soccer, and stretch-n-grow. If you are religious, they offer chapel, but you don't have to participate and the community is accepting of all religions or no religion at all. The focus is on providing a nurturing and fun environment for the kids. My oldest started when he was 18 months old in the Sunbeam room, and went through to the oldest class (Explorers) before starting Kindergarten at our local public school. He was more than ready for Kindergarten, and has excelled at school. We were so impressed with the loving environment that the teachers provide, the low student-to-teacher ratio, and the support we received from the teachers, director, and other families. I loved how every teacher, not just his teachers, knew his name. When we became pregnant with our second, it was a no-brainer to get on the waitlist because we didn't want to send him any place else. He is currently in the Sunbeam room, and will be moving up in the fall. We are looking forward to having him back at FELCDC. The director has put into place numerous policies and procedures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the center. We have been very stringent in our movements during the pandemic and after seeing the new policies and procedures, we are more than comfortable sending him back. I recommend this place for anyone looking to find a special community to help their children learn and thrive. read more

This school is one of a kind. You feel the warmth of the teachers and staff from the moment you enter. Every single person there knows my daughter by name. The curriculum is a wonderful mix of play-based learning with centers set up for sensory activities, writing, reading, puzzles, dress-up and more. The playground is wonderful and food is provided (and top-notch, everything is cooked fresh by Jennifer the in-house chef and is healthy and delicious!) We've gotten to know many parents and the community is lovely and welcoming. Our daughter has become friends with all of her classmates and looks forward to going to school. I can't say enough about the quality of care and at a very reasonable rate. FELCDC is a true gem! I should note that the school closed temporarily due to COVID in March, but is set to reopen 7/6/2020 with a very thorough list of policies and procedures in place. We feel very confident that the school is doing everything possible to maintain the safety of the staff and children. If you are looking for child care, I highly recommend reaching out to the director LaQuetha for more information. read more

My son used to go in this school for about 2yrs. We'd needed to leave this year, mainly to find a school much closer to our place. But other than that, we'd loved it here. We feel welcomed on this school!! The only areas for development I will say, is for them to have a more proactive and structured feedback especially if the child have some concerns. Few notes that might be advantage or disadvantage, depending on your personal perspective: - MOST teachers and parents are welcoming - Focused on child development thru play activities - Reasonable tuition fee compared to others - They cook their food at school - Development based classroom (not age based). For instance, potty-training will be started based on readiness, not by age. - Great teacher to students ratio. read more

We have two children at FEL and we could not be happier. The director, Shannon, does a wonderful job of finding fantastic teachers, both the lead teachers and the afternoon assistants (who are often UT students). My kids both love going to school each day and adore the adults who care for them. They are also learning a ton -- language and literacy, math, social skills. They are going to be well equipped for elementary school. But the kids don't realize how much they're learning -- they think they're just having fun. Communication is excellent. We get regular email updates from the lead teachers. Conferences are held regularly. The afternoon assistants are terrific about providing a full report at the end of the day. The best aspect may be the family atmosphere. All the children know their classmates' parents. There are regular class gatherings where all the families get together outside school. The parents are friends as much as the children are! Because all the children eat breakfast and lunch together and play outside in two groups, they know virtually all of the other children. FEL offers a number of extracurriculars -- music, soccer, tumbling, and chapel. All of those teachers are as incredible as the full time staff. Many students participate, but the teachers are great about making sure the kids who do not go to those classes don't feel left out. FEL feels like an extension of our home and our family. read more

There is no place like First English Lutheran Child Development Center. Our oldest son attended from 18 months until he started kindergarten. Seven years later when we were pregnant with his brother -- we reached out to secure his spot. The experience has been just as magical the second time around. LaQuetha is an incredible director, and many staff members and teachers have been there since our oldest attended. The communication, pictures and daily updates for parents through the daycare app keep us informed, and I wish I was lucky enough to eat the daily meals and snacks prepared by Chef Jennifer. Our son's social, emotional and academic development blows our minds, and when we arrive in the afternoons to pick him up he doesn't want to leave. The school puts on special events for parents on campus during holidays, and really goes above and beyond to help the families connect. I hope all parents find a place as special as First English. read more

I wish First English included more grades because I simply love this place! You won't find another pre-school with more loving teachers and staff. The chef, Jennifer, cooks organic meals everyday. My son was extremely shy and First English teachers helped him come out of his shell. The curriculum is child centered and parents are involved every step of the way. Every concern is addressed. They even helped potty train my toddler! You can drop off your child as early as 7:30 and they close at 6, which is extremely convenient. I highly recommend First English for anyone looking for top quality day care! read more

It is so great to have found a place that provides a loving, warm and enriching environment young kiddos. My daughter has attended for almost two years now, and we couldn't be happier with our experience there. Here's why: -- The school has been in existence since 1974 and has an excellent reputation. -- The ratios are below state requirements so children's needs are responded to promptly and appropriately. (E.g., 18 mo - 2 1/2 years old have a 10:2 ratio) -- The staff are well qualified, experienced and stable. -- Our director is full of enthusiasm, creating an amazing amount of positive energy for the school. -- The curriculum provides age appropriate, whole-child learning through play and experiential learning. -- The school maintains a full-time, culinary-trained chef that provides a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack. (No making lunch! Even better, our daughter is exposed to food from other cultures, and she loves her vegetables! Jennifer makes the best breads ever, and she accommodates vegetarian kiddos too.) Most importantly, my daughter is very happy and loved. It is a real joy to drop her off daily knowing they are well cared for and safe. read more

As an educator myself, I struggled with finding an early childhood center that checked all my boxes-and this one goes above and beyond. The entire staff truly love working with kids and are happy to be there. Happy teachers=happy kiddos and mine are definitely happy in their care. Not only are the teachers happy and kind, they are also very knowledgeable and hardworking. They go above and beyond to meet the many needs of all students in their classrooms. The school is play-based, and kids are free to be kids. They are still learning and developing social, emotional, and academic skills, they're just having fun and playing while doing it. Happy teachers and happy kids mean happy parents and you definitely find that at FELCDC. We have enjoyed getting to know all of the families and being a part of a true community. read more

A quality school, the kind where you can make it through the day without worrying about your little one(s), is not as easy find. And if you manage to find one, it seems impossible to get in. After two seriously disappointing attempts, in which my small child was injured both times (including coming home with over a hundred fire ant bites, with absolutely no word from anyone at the school), I found this place. A non-profit, with a goal not to make money off people, but to enrich and nourish children. I wish I would have found FELCDC sooner, for soo many reasons. Everything the previous schools were lacking, this place has covered. I know accidents and injuries happen. And I know if they happen at First English, it will be appropriately handled, and then promptly communicated. The communication at this school is phenomenal. They release a weekly school lesson, so you know what your child is working on. This is in addition to a daily bulletin informing parents what the class did each day, and which child napped. If you have a younger child, they also keep track of what your kids eat, soiled diapers ect... They have extra-curricular programs (my daughter loved the tumbling and gymnastics classes!), are flexible with payment (can split into two payments), a huge shaded playground with so many different things to stimulate their minds and wear their little bodies out, a low student to teacher ratio with at least two teachers per class, a play-based curriculum that allows children to develop holistically through hands-on exploration and creativity, down to earth wonderful people (I made it a regular occurrence to go into the cafeteria and say good morning to their charismatic chef, Jennifer!) They have low turnover for the industry (I haven't met a person yet I didn't think was qualified, or didn't have a shining personality), they allow your child to come in prior to their official start date to get used to the place, and they serve healthy scratch-made food made by a professional chef-every day!! My daughter thrived here. She loved the staff, her classmates, and just being there. At the previous schools, my daughter cried every morning during drop off. Here: she cried for me for 2 days during drop-off. And I love how the staff handled it. They comforted her, and soothed her, which was certainly not what occurred at the previous places (she was literally taken forcefully out of my arms at the first school she attended). She genuinely loves this place as much as I do. In fact, we still stop in just to say hello to everyone. They have classes for kids from 18 months to 5 years old. I wouldn't consider putting my child in pre-k elsewhere. By the time you pay for the tuition (unless your income qualifies you for free tuition), all the meals (that come included at FELCDC), childcare on the days the AISD is closed (think the entire Thanksgiving week!), and any after-school care you have to obtain (if you need childcare after 3:00), public pre-k isn't even a cost effective choice. Not to mention all the other things your child won't be getting (the more individualized attention, less restrictive environment, familiar faces, and endless opportunities for self-expression and creativity). I really am a huge fan of this place. It's made what it is by the beautiful hearts running the place. read more

My 3-year old son has attended First English Lutheran CDC since the admittance age of eighteen months old. We simply adore this small school and feel that the teachers, aides, staff and parents make this school feel more like a family. Weekly curricular updates as well as a loving, patient and child-centered learning environment make this school one of (if not THE) best in Austin. I cannot imagine my son getting a better education in this critical time of his life (and brain development) than through the efforts of FELCDC. read more

We started my daughter there at 2 years old, and have been there through two kids now. Highlights: - a nice balance between play based learning, and exposure to academics (my daughter was reading when she entered Kinder, but my personal focus is on play for kids, which she got plenty of) - fresh made food! no need to pack a lunch. the school has a chef (yes, a chef) that bakes and creates healthy and delicious foods. and, the best news, you can eat with your kiddo at lunch for just a few dollars. - teachers who communicate very well with parents, and regularly -- emails home, conferences regularly, etc. - teachers who are well trained, open to discussions with parents, and supportive and kind. - a director who is very present, who knows all the parents, and who is also a strong communicator At one point, we left in an attempt to save money. FEL offers only full-time enrollment, and I work part-time. I switched both kids to part-time days at two different centers (due to their ages). It was awful. I didn't get to know any of the parents, the director was never around, I had no idea what was happening ever. Obviously, within a few months we moved back and have been there since. I cannot say enough good things about this school. It's been our home for many years, and I joke all the time with the director and staff about how I'm going to bawl on our last day... read more

We graduated from First English almost two years ago and my children still talk about how much they loved it there! It really is such a special place and I love that it has made such a strong imprint on my children's hearts. read more

This school is as good as it gets. I have three children and didn't find this gem until I was in need for child three. Oh how I wish I had found it 13 years earlier in order to bypass all the pre-school drama that came before First English! The teachers are so amazing and caring towards the children. The kids feel so comfortable and loved every bit of the day. Somehow the director is able to find childcare providers who are as close to perfect as I've ever seen. My daughter actually begs to stay longer than when I pick her up at the end of the day. The campus is so convenient to downtown, west and east Austin. The play based curriculum is the best I've seen, and the kids seem to be learning much of the social emotional things that are so important to survive in this world. I never want to leave! Once my daughter graduates, I may just have another baby so we can start back up at First English again! read more

I have a son who attended First English and another son who is still currently enrolled there. Things I love about FELCDC is the staff, the director does a good job retaining quality teachers. The board members really advocate for competitive pay and good health benefits to retain and attract the best teachers. Second the food, they offer an in house cook that prepares healthy food for the children throughout the day. Third the planning and curriculum that the teachers provide. Teachers do a great job with implementing themes week to week to help with language development. Books, songs and toys in the room revolve around specific themes, which the children love. Toys and books get switched out very frequently to keep children engaged and excited to walk into the room each morning rather than seeing the same old stuff week to week on the shelves. Central Austin does not have a lot of choices when it comes to Child development centers that cater to two working parents that can not do a 9-2 preschool day. I compared this facility to Child's Day and Open Door and felt that they had the best program, not to mention a cook, an awesome playground and great location for parents who live or work central. read more

Wonderful school with just the right balance of education and play. The school has a great sense of community among the kids, parents, and teachers. My daughter used to have a tearful morning goodbye at her last preschool, but here she gives me the patented FEL parent push-out-the-door and is off to play with friends. She comes home telling us of all she learned through the day and is excited as she begins to learn to read. The afternoon teachers are often UT students with lots of energy - great for running around on the playgrounds with the kids. There are a number of optional enrichment programs (tumbling, soccer) that seem to be really well run. And great lunches served everyday! read more

I can't get over how great this school is. For the education and care my child gets, the cost is reasonable and the teachers are amazing. They communicate with parents really well. They understand parents are busy so they over communicate and send us reminders. The students get healthy food that is not processed and my daughter comes home telling me about new foods she would never have tried at home. This place is a hidden gem and I'm so lucky to have found it. read more

My daughter went to First English for three years, since she was 18 months old. We absolutely loved the school. We had to move away for new jobs and have been missing First English ever since. We loved the teachers and the entire community. Everybody knows each other and the teachers are extremely nurturing. My daughter also learned a lot during the three years, even though it is a play based school. First English has been among what we miss most about Austin! read more

I cannot praise First English enough! Our experience has been amazing since we started our now four year old there over a year ago. The school is such a wonderful community and we love how all of the teachers and children seem to know each other. The director has a deep history with the school and does an amazing job. The teachers are so warm, caring, and involved with helping the children to learn and try new things. We love that the children stay together from year-to-year which really supports developing relationships. We feel so incredibly fortunate to have both of our children learning and thriving in such a great school. read more

My daughter has been a student here for three years and we absolutely love it! The teachers are excellent . They work extremely hard to provide enriching and stimulating activities everyday. This is a full time program that offers so much more than what you imagine a daycare to be. It is not babysitting. My daughter recently constructed a pulley system on the playground, built a rocket for the dramatic play area, wrote a book about things she loves, and put on a play of Little Red Riding Hood. The preschool classes document each child's year in amazing portfolios that I will keep forever. I feel so fortunate FE was part of my daughter's early childhood. read more

Our son has been going to the First Lutheran CDC for a little more than a year now. We love it here and our son does too. There are great teachers here, loving as well as professional. There are some great touches in this child care center, quite distinct from other centers. Kids from all classes eat together, in a large inviting fellowship hall; the classrooms are choc-full of books and these are rotated regularly; there is a wonderful playground outside which is thankfully shady enough for the Austin weather. The center staff strike you as genuinely caring for the kids and keep the parents well informed of the progress of their children. The person who prepares the kids' meals (Jennifer) is wonderful - she makes much of the food from scratch and tailors it to students' meal preferences (our son does not have meat). The head of the center, Shannon, is a great leader and keeps the center running smoothly and with well appreciated touches of affection. read more

I meant to write this years ago! My daughter just finished at FELCDC in August and has recently started Kindergarten. I seriously think about First English all the time because we really loved our time there. It is such a great school with great staff and a great director in Shannon. The teachers communicate well with the parents and the kids really enjoy being there. My daughter would miss her friends, school and teachers on the weekends. Now that we are expecting another and i'm trying to find a new place for infant care I really value our time at First English because it was so comforting to be there. I knew that my daughter was well taken care of so I had not a care in the world while I was at work. I would seriously look no further if you need child care. By the way, they have a wonderfully sweet and caring woman there named Jennifer who prepares and cooks all of the meals for the school so breakfast and lunch is provided. I really can't say enough great things about this place! read more

First English is a fantastic place for children. I moved my daughter here hastily after a terrible experience at another school. I am extremely picky and high-maintenance about her care, so I was not happy to make such a quick decision. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. She is now 3 and this is the end of our second year there. I know early childhood education well. It was my major in college and grad school, and I have worked in ECE for over 15 years. The children are loved and respected. The classroom experiences are so packed with learning and fun that I am in awe every day. My daughter's class has built a kid-sized train out of boxes, connected them, and chugged around their indoor play space. They painted planets and built a rocket ship. She drew her own blue prints for a house and was the leader in the block area while classmates followed her blue print plan. They created their own super hero characters, made costumes and put on their own plays. Although thematic and experiential learning is certainly the focus, my daughter is doing amazing things academically as well. She can write her name, draw people, count past forty, identify most letters and say the sounds they make. She can also tie a bow and pump on the swings. These are all things she has learned from school. My entire family is happier knowing our daughter is in such a wonderful place. Nothing is more important. read more