I would have never found this program without the recommendation from the director of the…read morepre-school program at st. George's (near cherrywood, where we used to live). I am forever thankful for that recommendation. My son will be starting in the 4's class this fall, and previously attended the 2's and 3's class. I visited a few programs but this was the right one for my son. There is a variety of free play and play based learning. The teachers have a wide variety of activities to encourage age-appropriate development. The teachers really work their butts off here. No TVs, video games, canned workbooks, etc. They set up new, engaging activities every day. No gimmicks here. I love it, and my son LOVES it. I am excited that this school has made him EXCITED to go to school and has encouraged his intellectual curiosity. The teachers really do go above and beyond. For example, Ms Maryruth even brought in a Texas insect book to help my son identity bugs on the playground when she noticed he's into that. They really go above and beyond to engage childrens' natural curiosity. If I had to mention anything negative it would be the limited school year and hours (a challenge for working parents) and the lack of diversity (like most of west Austin). It's worth mentioning that we do not attend this church (or another) and not all of the families are Christian. It is a very open, welcoming environment. We absolutely love this school.

We love St. Michael's - the Reggio-inspired approach is amazing -- it's hands-on and lets the kids…read morereally explore and learn through play. The guides are incredible -- so kind, creative, and genuinely invested in each child. You can tell they truly love what they do. Our oldest just graduated and grew so much here, both socially and emotionally. Our middle child is there now and comes home every day excited to tell us what she did. We plan to have our youngest join school soon. The classrooms are beautiful and thoughtfully set up, and the whole environment feels warm and welcoming. We couldn't be happier with St. Michael's -- it's a very special place.

We attended another school down the corner, and are very happy we switched to 1st Presb. The focus…read moreis more around play-based learning (as it should be at that age!), the teachers are just amazing: dedicated, caring and creative in their weekly plans, and seem more experienced than other places we visited. The new administrator, Leigh-Ann is the best... she brought a lot of fun family events, like the Gingerbread house decorating, but you don't get an aggressive fundraising push like at some other schools. It's a big choice where you send your little one to school, and I couldn't be happier. It's a warm and relaxed environment, and our son is happy and doing great developmentally, socially, etc. A+

This is truly the happiest place on earth. We are not church members, but my son as been in the 2…read moreyear old class all year. He loves going to school and has made such great friends. The activities are awesome, and the teachers are incredibly engaged. We were at a full time daycare before I decided to stay at home and wow, what a difference. Now that I've decided to go back to work I'm trying to figure out how I can keep him in FPDS while going somewhere else the rest of the time. We LOVE it.

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!

Our baby started attending at 3 months old. We are very happy with the level of attention and care…read morefrom all of the staff. We always trust that our child is in good hands. We receive lots of cute artwork and daily updates via an app. They even organize events like a lovely Thanksgiving luncheon and winter holiday pageant.

My son attended Wesley and has been enrolled in their infant classroom. He has grown so much during…read morehis time here and he is on track developmentally; I attribute much of his social success to his time at Wesley. He feels so loved here and I am happy we picked the best possible daycare for him bc he is delighted everyday I drop him off. The staff is productive, friendly, and consistent and the other kids are happy and sweet and they always speak to us in the halls. They have programs for community involvement, recitals, photo shoots, & holidays. Feels like home here.

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 had the privilege of having two children attend Ashford Montessori, and our experience with the…read moreschool and its staff was truly exceptional. From the moment we joined the community, it was clear that Ashford Montessori is deeply committed to seeing and supporting each child as an individual. The level of care, intention, and professionalism shown by the educators is remarkable. Ms. Thrin is an extraordinary director, whose compassion and dedication are evident in everything she does. Her genuine love for the children shines through, and it is clear how deeply she is admired and trusted by the little ones. Ms. Ebony has made a lasting impact on our household. The structure, expectations, and lessons she instills in the classroom consistently carry over into our home, demonstrating how meaningful and effective her teaching truly is. Her influence on our children's growth and learning has been profound. One of Ashford Montessori's greatest strengths is its personalized approach. The teachers meet each child exactly where they are developmentally, emotionally, and academically, creating an environment where children feel understood and supported. The older classrooms follow a clear, structured learning plan that prepares students confidently for their next stages of education. We are also incredibly grateful for the practical life skills our children gained. In fact, we credit Ashford Montessori with helping our four-year-old foster child become potty-trained, a milestone that speaks volumes about the school's patience, consistency, and partnership with families. Ashford Montessori holds a very special place in our hearts. For families seeking a school where children are truly seen, cared for, and thoughtfully guided in their development, we cannot recommend Ashford Montessori highly enough.

Best decision for our family! The teachers and families have created an amazing community here…read more It's a great place for children to grow, explore, and learn in a safe and welcoming environment.

We absolutely love Bright Horizons at Braker Lane! The communication is excellent, the staff is…read moretop-notch, and the classrooms and playgrounds are clean and spacious. The program is fantastic, with lots of activities and nutritious meals! Our toddler loves it here. We receive constant updates and photos throughout the day, so we know how much fun he's having while we're at work! His teachers are amazing--very caring, creative, and attentive. They always communicate any concerns and give great advice. Initially, we were unsure of what to expect because of our previous experiences with daycares, but all our anxiety disappeared once we started at Bright Horizons! Highly recommend.

The absolute best environment to have your kiddo in. I cannot emphasize enough how fantastic,…read moreempathetic & kind the BH staff are, teachers & admin. My kiddo loves his friends & is always so happy to go to school. Great curriculum, frequent updates, just perfect! Cannot fault them even if I tried. We're having to move him due to being a lot further now & it's the hardest part. They are just amazing beyond! We'll get back on their waitlist in a heartbeat if we need to!

We transferred here to 1st grade from a public charter school and I didn't realize how unhappy my…read moredaughter was at the charter school until she was enrolled in Sankalpa and seeing the difference. She now looks forward to going to school and describes school as awesome and fun - every parents dream come true for their kid to love school! She now comes home singing songs whereas before she needed to disconnect and would beg to watch TV (she's not interested in TV since Sankalpa - I think the environment fosters self esteem and love of productivity). She does yoga, learns Chinese and Spanish, and the staff are unflinching in their standards for teaching the children grace and curtesy. I'd say this school is great for any child, but more for children and parents who: 1. Like a quieter learning environment: it gets loud, but at specific times. During the work hours it's quiet and relaxed. 2. Love nature (they're often out and even with clipboards studying things like plants and fractals) 3. Like forging deeper relationships with others: because of the more intimate setting, you're going to interact with parents and the teachers every day. This isn't for everyone, but if you like that sense of community and extended family, it's like that here. 4. Are ok with their child not taking state tests: there are other tests given (one of the very cool things about Sankalpa, it's what first perked my ears) to see where the child is in their learning, and then to tweak their learning program to "fill in the gaps" so to speak. This is how every child has their own individual learning program. 5. Are willing to pay tuition: I was worried about this until I saw how much she loved school and learning, then I realized it was the best investment ever. They're only this little once, and it's the best thing ever to find the school where they can thrive and be enlivened. 6. Want experienced teachers: Sankalpa might be a new school but all the teachers are seasoned and it shows in their interactions with the kids. The principal also has worked at nearly all the alternative schools in Austin so she knows what's what. 7. Are okay with going through Sankalpas admission process: for us this was actually fun, but everyone is different. We enjoyed taking the tour, meeting with the principal and spending an hour getting to know each other, and our daughter loved her trial time at the school which was a week, some kids might be longer or shorter. I loved going through all this because it really helped us make a decision based on facts rather a feeling. It's like getting to know someone before getting married or making a commitment. :) If you're considering Sankalpa at least go through the admission process, it's the best way to really know if it's the right match for your family (but more importantly your child).

Our family has enjoyed our time at Sankalpa. We really appreciate how warm and welcoming the staff…read moreis every single time we see them - it is clear they are all dedicated to the students and to their growth and success. The small class size is wonderful, as it is a great location for walks and field trips. They do a great job of instilling a sense of ownership in the students - the kids are responsible for their rooms, their supplies and their work. It's awesome to witness them tiding up at the end of each day. An all around inclusive education.