I love this school and my son has literally blossomed in the 2 months he has been here! Such an…read moreamazing staff, so helpful and informative for parents like us who are so new to early learning centers/daycares. My son has been at home with dad for 3 years so all of this was very new for my family. When I first called to get information about the school it was just a wonderful conversation! Desiree was so patient with all the questions and concerns I had, such a different experience from any other place I reached out to who just seemed to be annoyed with all my questions I had. Needless to say the entire staff helped make this new transition for us all so easy and helped us every step of the way and we couldn't be happier with our decision!

My 4 year old started stepping stone in March of 2024 when I decided to return to work. It was the…read moreonly daycare with availability I felt comfortable sending him to in the area. When I came to make the initial payment and the director asked if I wanted to meet his teacher I of course said yes. We went outside where the kids played and I was excited to see who he'd be with all day. Mind you, this was to be his first time ever being away from me. His teacher was young, and looked super uninterested in talking. She said hi with what I couldn't even consider a smile, and didn't say much to my son. At drop off his first day the morning teacher didn't say much either. She didn't really offer any assistance when I was trying to leave and my son was visibly scared and upset. This went on for the weeks he was there. I did not like the staff member who hung out with the kids until his teacher showed up. She said good morning and that's about it. Towards the end I think she could tell I was irritated and offered my son things to keep him occupied while I left. My overall feel was these "teachers" don't like being there. I did not like this environment. When The lighthouse opened we made the switch and it was night and day! My son was SO EXCITED for daycare because the staff is AMAZING! I got constant updates, I don't have to ask for his meals to be updated through the day, he was engaged, the teachers are engaged and happier. I would never suggest Stepping stone to anyone.

I am so grateful I found Havenwood. I've been working here for a few years now, and I can honestly…read moresay there is no place like it. The owners and admin are incredible; they strive to ensure their staff feel happy and supported. They are constantly checking in and finding ways to make teachers feel good about their jobs. I love the kids and our families. Havenwood is a place for everyone.

We have been at Havenwood for a little over a year and absolutely love it! Our son has learned so…read moremuch and comes home dirty everyday from all their fun, outdoor activities! The teachers are all so welcoming and kind. They truly give their all into these kiddos and care so much. I would highly recommend Havenwood to anyone with young children!

I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am to have my son attend this treasure of a school…read more He has been in the primary class for almost a year and a half now and has thrived so much in that short amount of time. Mrs. Zea is not only an amazing, nurturing educator, she's an amazing human being! She puts your child first above all else. She has created a beautiful environment for children to learn, play, and grow. Not only will your child receive a quality education, the tuition cost is very affordable. Mrs. Zea prides herself on making it a low cost so that more families can attend. Everyone says the best thing about Lockhart is it's bbq, but I say it's their Montessori school!

I have mixed feelings about LMS. My daughter did well there. She went a little later and knew her…read moreabc's and some other things. My son started earlier and when he started public kindergarten he was seriously behind. I brought these concerns up along with his speech up and was dismissed and told to talk to the custodial parent. I feel they did a disservice to my son.

If I could have given a 1/2 star I would have. After two years of frustration and trying to work…read morewith The Pilliars administration we finally gave up. The final straw was when we picked up our this summer he had heat exhaustion and had to have medical care, he was on the playground in 100 degree heat with no water for over an hour. We were told that an estimated 15 minutes more and he would have had a heat stroke. This kind of neglect is common on a daily basis.

I love this place it's a great environment for young children to learn and play too! The staff are…read moreall friendly and great with the kids and it's a great place for them to learn about God too because of chapel. They are learning a story from the Bible every week! It's a great and positive place for young children and babies too!! It's also great for the kids to learn how to get into a routine and learn how real school is like.

After 2.5 years at Ladybird Montessori, it's clear that the "perfect" farm image hides a chaotic…read morereality. The school prioritizes enrollment numbers over child safety and quality education. We experienced extreme instability, with at least 10 teacher turnovers in our classroom alone. Without lead teachers, the environment lacked structure, leading to incidents of teacher's yelling and writing up excessive incident reports. Major Safety & Management Red Flags: * Severe Negligence: My child was left outside alone and was banging on the door to come back in (documented with the state) and was left in a bathroom with an unauthorized adult without staff realizing she had left her group. * Unstructured Aftercare: Most incidents occurred during the 60-kid aftercare "nightmare," which lacks any meaningful supervision. * Financial Gatekeeping: The school often holds children back in YCC (Toddler) longer than necessary just to collect higher fees, regardless of whether the child has mastered the curriculum. * Exclusionary Practices: Extracurriculars like soccer are restricted by age (4+), effectively excluding half of the mixed-age Children's House (2.5-6) classrooms. * Retaliation: Be prepared for your child's hours to be cut to half-days as a way to slowly push you out. Communication is a "secret" here; I never received enough communication or updates on my child's progress. Enough was enough. If you raise any concerns, the director deflects blame onto the child. Please check the state's licensing website for their violation history. Your child deserves a safe, attentive environment--not just to be a number in a crowded room. Disabling Google reviews to limit transparency is a clear indicator of the issues present here.

I am sharing our experience to alert parents who choose Ladybird Montessori School (LMS)…read morespecifically for its AMS "Verified" status and its promise of a high-fidelity Montessori environment. The school markets itself as a development partner. However, our experience revealed a systemic failure. They did not follow basic Montessori principles when faced with a child's natural developmental whirlwind. 1. Interaction with Administration: A Failure to Lead. My interactions with the administration were consistently dismissive and lacked the pedagogical depth one expects from a Montessori leader. The Director utilized administrative pressure to silence concerns. pick-up incidents occurred, I was met with visible frustration rather than a collaborative, "connected" approach. It became clear that the administration prioritizes its own convenience and "harmonious" image over the actual hard work of supporting a child. 2. Inability to Handle High-Energy Children. This school is fundamentally equipped only for children who are "perfect" or passive. If your child has high energy, curiosity, or a "whirlwind" personality, LMS will likely label them a safety liability rather than a student. Despite Montessori literature stating that high-energy toddlers often need "heavy work" or movement outlets to regulate, this school treated my son's natural physical drive as a critical safety "impasse". They simply do not have the patience or the staffing expertise to handle children who don't fit into a quiet, compliant box. For parents considering any Montessori program, I strongly recommend taking a close look at how the school accommodates children with different temperaments. During a tour, observe whether classrooms offer movement opportunities or "heavy work" materials for children who benefit from physical activity. Ask staff how they support children who are active or struggle to remain still, and what strategies are in place for channeling high energy in a positive direction. Look for evidence of patience, flexibility, and an individualized approach, not just for compliance or calm. By being proactive in your questions, you can determine whether the environment will truly support your child's natural development. 3. Lack of Developmental Expertise The school consistently mislabeled age-appropriate milestones as behavioral "red flags." Most notably, my three-year-old son's natural development of oral-motor skills--commonly known as "raspberrying"--was documented as "spitting" in multiple incident reports. It was only after we clarified this developmental milestone that the school's documentation began to shift. Discouraging a child during a peak phase of speech development is a direct contradiction of the principle of "following the child". 4. Non-Montessori Disciplinary Practices Despite claiming to follow the AMS 5 Core Components, the school used interventions that are fundamentally non-Montessori. My son was removed to an administrative office to "sit and take breaths" while being lectured. This practice ignores Montessori guidance on toddler development. Authentic practice requires classroom-based "Grace and Courtesy" lessons and a prepared environment with "heavy work" for high-energy children. LMS chose administrative isolation over pedagogical support. 5. Dismissal Instead of Partnership When we formally requested the school realign its practices with AMS standards, the Director responded by immediately terminating our enrollment. This pattern of "quick dismissal" is echoed by other parents who report their children being asked to leave for behaviors like separation anxiety, without any attempt at modification. 6. Concerns Regarding Qualifications Public testimony from former staff members suggests that the "Lead Guides" at this school may not all hold the years of in-person training and practicum required for high-fidelity Montessori, with reports of "hiring off the street" and relying on online courses. This would explain the staff's inability to differentiate between developmental milestones and behavioral issues. How to Verify These Patterns: I encourage any parent considering this school to read the employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed, as well as the 1-star parent reviews on Yelp. You will see a consistent pattern of administrative dismissal and allegations of unqualified staff that mirrors our experience exactly. Furthermore, parents should check the Kyle/Buda community boards on Facebook, where numerous other families have expressed similar concerns about LMS. Finally, you can verify on the AMS School Locator (amshq.org) that while they are a "Verified" member, they have NOT attained full Accreditation. Conclusion: If your child is "perfect" or already accustomed to a school setting, LMS may suffice. However, if your child exhibits the "tricky behaviors" typical of a three-year-old such as darting, physical play, or vocal exploration, thi

We have loved the move to Sunshine Cottage from our previous daycare!…read more Our daughter is in Ms Lia's class and is so well-cared for -- she gets just the right amount of independence while still being able to socialize with other kids. We are so impressed by the updates we get (the app this school uses updates in real time instead of getting a report at the end of the day like our last place); it has made all the difference in our night routines knowing that she had a tough time taking a nap at 2 instead of figuring it out at home at 630. We also have enjoyed the extras that are at Sunshine Cottage -- huge playgrounds with age appropriate equipment, bikes/trikes to work on motor skills, dress up bins and play areas in the classroom, and (our latest exciting update) a dance class from an outside studio that is sooo affordable!

The poorest quality of care, curriculum, cleanliness and the owners lack of support for staff is…read moresad! These folks do not do trainings but they sign off anyway. These folks owner constantly changes staff hours to not pay them the time they work. The children are fed very unhealthy foods, no milk on their menu for over 3 years. The program does not adhere to state standards and is constantly reported and cited. I'd never recommend leaving children here of any age....EVER!

We love First Step School and their teachers. We love the…read morefact that they actually have a curriculum to teach the kids and prepare them for school. I appreciate being able to go onto the Parent portal and see pictures of our girls activities throughout the day. The portal also lets us know what to work on with her at home. This is exactly what we were looking for...not just a daycare but a preparatory environment to set the foundation for her learning and development. She loves her school and is happy every day we take her. This gives me peace of mind during the day.

I have been so amazed with first step school from the very beginning. They are the sweetest people…read more I love the structure that they have. It's not just a daycare it's a school. My son is excelling in every aspect. And it's because of first step school! Best decision I ever made was starting my son here. I have no complaints. It's such a positive and fun environment. From outdoor fun, to dance parties in the gym, to weekly assessments, the lunches you purchase are perfect and they provide bibs if you need them too! My son is happy there and even runs to the his teacher. Which for me brings me comfort knowing my son is safe and happy. 10/10 experience and I recommend first step school to anyone looking for a full time place to send your child too. You will not be disappointed. Best school/daycare in San Marcos! Go see for yourself! You will not be disappointed!

St. Mark's provides an environment for children to thrive. Combining experiential learning and…read moreWaldorf style methods, the teachers ensure that the students get a holistic, well-rounded education while having fun. My daughter is in her second year with St. Mark's and she loves school! She teaches me new things all the time. And she's started writing words, knows some Spanish, counts to 20, and has even started adding and subtracting. On top of that she gets a good amount of outdoor time, movement, and adventurous play. We love the teachers. They feel like family.

I feel so lucky to have found St. Mark's. It is such a wonderful, positive learning environment…read more The class size is small and the teachers are AMAZING! My daughter has learned so much in the last 2 years academically, socially and spiritually. The tuition is very reasonable as well. If you are looking at preschools, you owe it to your child to look at St. Mark's.