Best day care in austin: 8 Top Spots to Enroll Your Tot

8 Top Spots to Enroll Your Tot

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It goes without saying that you want the best for your kids. And when it comes to their education, even the sky is too limiting for how high you want your child to soar.

You might be among the many parents who are searching “best preschool Austin” on Google in the hopes of finding (and getting your child accepted to) the best preschools. But it’s worth noting that research has shown there’s no difference between elementary children who attend preschool and those who don’t. Still, many parents go so far as to hire preschool admissions coaches. (Seriously, it’s a thing.)

If you’re determined to find the best preschool in Austin for your little one, this guide just might get you off to a good start. But first, let’s review a few of the most common terms when it comes to preschool. After all, finding the right school for your kid isn’t exactly child’s play.

What’s the Difference Between Preschool, Pre-K, Day Care, and Child Care?

Before we go any further, let’s start with the basics. Terms like preschool, day care, and child care are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences among them. While all must be licensed by the state (in this case, Texas), each program varies to some degree. Here’s what you need to know.

Preschool

As its name implies, preschool precedes elementary school, and it’s a type of early childhood education for young children who are usually 3-4 years old. Preschools aim to offer a nurturing learning environment, but it’s not just centered on ABC’s and 123’s. There’s also a heavy emphasis on developing social skills as the kids interact with teachers and classmates. That said, preschool and pre-K are often considered the same thing, depending on the school and its philosophy.

Pre-K

While preschools tend to focus on playful learning, pre-K is designed to offer early education programs that explicitly prepare young children for kindergarten. As such, there are planned lessons and activities with specific goals in mind to develop the child’s skills before elementary school. Like preschool, kids in pre-K typically range in age from 3 years old to 4 years old (and sometimes 5, depending on the child’s date of birth).

Day Care and Child Care

Unlike most preschools where you’d be enrolling your 3- or 4-year-old, day care is available to children spanning a much wider age range — from as young as six weeks old to beyond elementary school age. Although day care is synonymous with”child care,” the latter term is considered more accurate and inclusive since this type of supervision can take place during the day or in the evenings, depending on the parent’s work schedule. Oftentimes, child care centers offer after-school supervision as well. Day care centers can be operated in homes, schools, or other approved locations.

A Starting List of the Top Preschools in Austin

Now that you have a handle on the basic differences and similarities among preschool, pre-K, and child care, it’s time to review a few options for your “best preschool Austin” search. You can check out each school’s website to learn more about the programs, costs, and other essential information.

Austin STEM Academy

Austin’s first STEM preschool, Austin STEM Academy (ASA) states that it offers a playful curriculum and problem-based learning approach that incorporates scientific, tech, engineering, and math assignments. ASA is open for children 18 months-5 years old, with three different preschool programs available in English or Spanish.

Rising Stars

Located in the Northwest Austin neighborhood of Cedar Park, Rising Stars is a year-round school that provides “differentiated instruction for every child.” To encourage creativity, all classes include music and movement, and art and sensory activities. Parents can choose from the toddler program (18 months-3 years old) and a preschool program for kids who are 3-5 years old.

Highland Montessori School

This preschool for kids ages 2-6 weaves the Montessori philosophy of encouraging “each child’s natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect” into its curriculum and activities. Along with supporting a sense of autonomy, Highland Montessori School offers art and music education, Spanish lessons, and gardening. According to the school’s site, its multi-age class is comprised of 25 or fewer children with 3 teachers to highlight the “connection between the children and their teachers and friends.”

Good Earth Farm School

Located on a farm about 26 miles from the Austin area, Good Earth Farm School aims to give children a “high-quality, nature-based education” in a home-like setting. The curriculum adheres to the Waldorf philosophy that takes a holistic view of learning by engaging all the senses and connecting with the rhythms of nature. Programming includes domestic, creative, nurturing, and social arts, and children are grouped according to age — 18 months-3 years old, 3-5 years old, and 4-6 years old.

Olas Spanish Immersion School

It’s a lot easier to learn a second language as a child than it is once you’re an adult. And the Olas Spanish Immersion School is a popular Austin preschool that provides this opportunity with teachers who come from Latin America. But it’s not just for preschoolers. Olas offers a variety of educational programs that extend before and after preschool — from Mommy and Me to Toddlers to Adult One-on-One.

Abacus School of Austin

With a location in Cedar Park and another in Leander, Abacus School of Austin is rooted in the belief that education should be exciting for children. Along with the in-house school setting, there are regular outings and two field trips per month. There are a number of programs from infant and toddler care to young preschool (2-3 years old), preschool (3-4 years old), and pre-K (4-5 years old). Abacus also now has kindergarten campuses at Crystal Falls and Avery Ranch (one of the best areas to live in Austin).

Learn and Laugh Preschool

Dedicated to the philosophy that learning should be fun, Laugh and Learn Preschool features a student-directed curriculum that encourages teachers to customize lessons around individual student needs. Located in Bee Cave about 12 miles from Austin, this privately owned facility caters to children from 6 weeks old to pre-K. Parents can access online webcams to check on their kids throughout the day, and meals can accommodate different dietary restrictions. Part-time and full-time child care is available, as is potty-training assistance. There’s even the occasional Parents’ Night Out to give parents a little break from trying to find a babysitter.

Corazon Neighborhood Preschool

A home-based preschool in the South Austin area, Corazon Neighborhood Preschool is open to children from 3 1/2-5 years old. There are indoor and outdoor areas for both structured and free-form activities, and the Reggio Emilia-style curriculum emphasizes the importance of play and social, emotional learning. Along with English, there are Spanish and American Sign Language options as well as summer camp.

School’s in Session at the Best Preschools in Austin

Whether it’s preschool, pre-K, child care, or some combination of these programs, the bottom line is that choosing a school for your child can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, Austin‘s neighborhoods are home to numerous top-notch schools that will nurture, teach, and inspire your children to develop a life-long love of learning.

Author

Mar Yvette

Mar Yvette is an established writer and editor who covers food, restaurants, travel, arts, entertainment, fashion, beauty, health, and wellness for print, online, and broadcast outlets. She’s obsessed with animals, nature, 80s pop, and vegan donuts.

Learn more about Mar

23 Top Austin Preschools for 2023 [Parent Reviewed]

written by Brightwheel | December 20, 2022

Kickstart your search process with some of the top-rated preschools in Austin, TX

When it comes to our kids, sometimes it takes a village — and today, we hope to become a part of yours. Our team of parents read through 4,317 preschool reviews, so that you don’t have to. 

With over 500 early education providers in the Austin area, it’s sometimes hard to figure out which one is the best preschool for your child. And, there’s no one-size-fits-all list that works for everyone. 

As parents ourselves, we know that reviews matter. It just stinks that reviews are scattered across so many different places. Who has the time for all that? So, we wanted to help. 

As we read through thousands of reviews together, one core thing stood out: there are so many amazing preschools, teachers, and staff in Austin that genuinely care. They go above and beyond to provide children with high-quality preparation for elementary school — and life in general. So many of these reviews just melted our hearts. 

Consider this guide a starting point. We couldn’t feature every top preschool in and around Austin, but below are some of the most highly-rated preschools based on parent reviews across the web. 

If you have any questions before you dive into specific schools, check out our Common Preschool Questions section below. There are so many things we didn’t know when it was our first time searching for preschools — things like “what sort of licenses should I look for?” and “what’s the actual difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?” We answer these and many other questions later in our guide.  

Ok, let’s do this! 

Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of North Austin

Parent Reviews

“Thoughtful” was the key word across many parent reviews for Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy in North Austin. From the moment you drop off your child, parents describe a level of thoughtfulness that leaves an impression. So many parents write about how well every staff member knows each individual child. Worried about your kid during the day? There are live-stream cameras you can check anytime on your phone. Wondering if your child will be hungry? There’s an on-site chef. Hoping your little one will become just as thoughtful? There’s even an etiquette class for that. 

Program Highlights

Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy (KRK) is an NAEYC accredited preschool serving North Austin and Avery Ranch. Open from 6:30am to 6:30pm, KRK has programming for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. STEAM-based activities are a core part of their G.Y.M curriculum (“Growing Young Minds”). And, extracurricular activities like soccer, gymnastics, and yoga are included for free.  

A+ Kids Playschool

Parent Reviews

Many parents have a hard time getting their kids to go to school. Throughout the Austin reviews we read, we kept seeing how many parents at A+ Kids Playschool mentioned that their kids just “don’t want to leave.” And, many of the kids asked their parents to come back on the weekends. To school! If that’s not a measure of success, we don’t know what is. Ms. Mita is clearly doing something right. Many parents loved how A+ felt like home, but also had a good structure and a solid curriculum to prepare their children for kindergarten. 

Program Highlights

With over 15 years of experience serving students and families, A+ Kids Playschool is a licensed in-home child care center, offering a full-time preschool program. The curriculum lessons offer structured activities that help your little one develop critical thinking, social-emotional, and sensory skills. Preschool is open to children ages 3 to 5, and runs from 7:00am to 5:30pm. And, your morning routine just got easier, because tuition includes all meals and snacks.  

Little Hands International Preschool

Parent Reviews

We haven’t read so many parent reviews that say their school feels “like family” — until we got to Little Hands International Preschool. And not a dysfunctional family over Thanksgiving, but a truly loving and compassionate one. From the moment parents were greeted for their first tour to their children’s last day, parents across the board say how welcoming, warm, and inviting everyone has been. Both parents and children have felt such “GENUINE warmth,” as one parent put it. Sometimes, you get to choose your family. And so many parents were happy they chose Little Hands to be a part of theirs. 

Program Highlights

Little Hands has a preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds that focuses on inquiry-based learning and collaborative play. There is also a pre-kindergarten classroom for 4 and 5 year olds that includes instruction for kindergarten and academic readiness. Little Hands teachers use the Creative Curriculum by Teaching Strategies, which is “research-based and supports the development of the whole child.” Each teacher completes 24+ hours of professional development training each year. There are Chinese and Spanish language lessons, and there’s even one acre of space for your child to safely explore and play.

Rising Stars Preschool

Parent Reviews

“LOVE!!” That’s the one word parents used most often in their reviews for Rising Stars Preschool (yes, in all caps, and with lots of exclamation points). Parents and their kids “LOVE” everything from the curriculum and teachers to the cleanliness and flexible schedules. And of course, the special touches: fun fire truck visits and pizza parties, anyone? Yes, please.

Program Highlights

In the Cedar Park suburb of Austin, Rising Stars was launched over 10 years ago by two stay-at-home moms who wanted to create an environment that focuses on school-readiness and allows kids time to develop positive social interactions. Rising Stars offers both full-time (7:00am to 6:00pm) and part-time programs (9:00am to 3pm). Their preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 has a student-teacher ratio of 8:1. Today, all of their lead instructors hold college degrees, and their preschool curriculum “emphasizes writing, pre-reading, math, science, history, geography, and health and safety.”

Copernicus STEM Academy

Parent Reviews

In many reviews for Copernicus STEM Academy, parents highlight just how genuinely excited their children are to go to school each morning. With so many creative and imaginative activities each day, who wouldn’t be excited? Here are just a few examples of lessons that get kids running out of bed: visits from the Humane Society, pasta demos with a chef, learning safety with an EMS, chemistry experiments, gardening, catapult building, testing electronic circuits, and making reclaimed art. Maybe one activity will be building us a time machine, so that we can be kids again and come along for these fun days.

Program Highlights

From a very young age, children at Copernicus will learn to become innovators and creative problem solvers. Through STEM-based activities, arts & literacy lessons, and a dual language immersion program (English and Spanish), your child will be well-rounded and prepared to take on any challenge. The Copernicus framework “incorporates a scientific approach to learning while the child is playing.” Copernicus offers full-time (5 days per week) or part-time (2-3 days per week) enrollment options.

My Time Kids Academy

Parent Reviews

At My Time Kids Academy, parents have said in their reviews just how “personal” the education experience is for each child because of the impressively low student-teacher ratios. The small classroom sizes are consistently a feature of so many reviews — parents appreciate how that enables teachers to really get to know each student on a personal level. Many parents have posted how wonderful the relationships have become between their kids and the teachers.  

Program Highlights

My Time is owned by a local Austin mom, and is a licensed preschool for children ages 2.5 to 6 years old. Their curriculum offers integrated activities across math, science, social studies and language arts. There are even enrichment classes that are covered in the tuition — things like STEM discovery lab, cooking, music and gymnastics. There’s an indoor gym and an outdoor play area with fun playhouses and activity zones. And, the student-teacher ratio is 5:1.

First English Lutheran Child Development Center

Parent Reviews

“Consistent” was a key word in many parent reviews for First English Lutheran Child Development Center. And they are consistently consistent in many areas. A big factor is the very low turnover rate; many parents highlighted just how impactful it was to have a consistent set of teachers and familiar faces, and how that gave them peace of mind. Parents also noted just how consistent the communication was. They loved getting daily pictures and updates, weekly lessons for the week ahead, and fast communication back from the staff. 

Program Highlights

The Center offers full-day programming year-round and is open from 7:15am to 6pm. The “Rainbows” classroom is for 3-year-olds and has an emergent curriculum focused on hands-on learning. The “Explorers” classroom is for your 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. Both classrooms have a student-teacher ratio of 16:2. Two things that really stand out are the food and the outdoor learning environment. At breakfast, lunch and snack time, Chef Jennifer makes sure your little ones are eating real, non-processed foods (check out the sample menu — amazing).  And, the shaded on-site outdoor play space is a gem that your child will use at least twice a day. 

Canyon Creek Preschool

Parent Reviews

Canyon Creek Preschool’s parent reviews overwhelmingly talk about how “nurturing” the teachers and staff have been to their children. Parents say how comfortable they are dropping off their kids in the morning, because they know that everyone at Canyon Creek will love and care for their children as if they were their own. What incredible peace of mind. Many parents say how this nurturing environment has really created a safe space for their children to flourish and truly learn to love learning. 

Program Highlights

Canyon Creek Preschool’s program is formed around a “process-centered” approach that focuses on the ways in which your child learns and discovers the world around them. There is a strong emphasis on activity-based learning, so that children can learn by doing. Each classroom has both a lead teacher and an assistant teacher, giving your child more hands-on support. Classes are in session Tuesdays to Fridays, and you can choose flexible options depending on how many days you want to include.

Northwest Montessori

Parent Reviews

If you read through the parent reviews for Northwest Montessori, you’ll quickly get a sense of how “foundational” the experiences have been for so many of the children. Most parents shared how their children grew and blossomed here and went on to have very successful educational careers. Phrases in reviews like “life-changing” were not uncommon. The Montessori background and the balance between structure and freedom seem to have made a truly positive impact for these kids.  

Program Highlights

Highly-rated by parents in Austin for over 35 years, Northwest Montessori offers students a nurturing environment to grow, discover, and learn at their own pace. Each Lead Teacher is Montessori certified, and each classroom has assistance teachers as well. On-campus playgrounds feature age-appropriate toys and activities, and extracurriculars include chess, computer class, gymnastics and many others. 

Parent Reviews

A key word used across so many parent reviews for Parkside Community School has to be “balanced.” Parents appreciate the holistic approach to teaching and learning. They say that their children are thriving academically, emotionally, and creatively. Parents also love that teachers balance rigor with support and freedom. A few parents mentioned that there is a clear focus on the “growth of the whole child.” 

Program Highlights

For over 30 years, Parkside Community School has been nurturing and developing young hearts and minds. Their Montessori Primary Program is for children ages 3 to 6. With the mixed-aged classroom, older children mentor the younger ones. There is both a half-day program (from 8:15am to 12:30pm) as well as a full-day option (ending at 2:30pm). The 12-acre campus in Southwest Austin offers endless opportunities for fostering a love of learning and exploration. 

More top-rated preschools near you

Depending on where in Austin you’re searching, here are some more highly-rated preschools by neighborhood:

• Central Austin: Kirby Hall School (North University)

• North Central Austin: Olas Spanish Immersion Preschool

• North Austin: Ecole Jean Jacques Rousseau (Oak Ridge) and Paragon Prep

• West Austin: Wonderwell and Nature Preschool(West Oak Hill)

• South Austin: Pint-Size Playhouse

• South Central Austin: Mainspring

• Southeast Central / Riverside: Helping Hands Montessori Preschool

• Southwest Austin: Happy Bunnies Preschool (Oak Hill)

• Cedar Park: First Foundations Preschool and Northwest Spanish School

• Lakeway: Bluebonnet Montessori

Common preschool questions

The first time we had to find preschools for our kids, we had so many questions — like so many. But don’t worry, we have your back. Here are the core questions that our team pulled together and researched. If there are any others, just reach out and we’ll be happy to help. Just shoot a message over to [email protected]. 

• When do kids start preschool?

• What’s the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten

• Is pre-k mandatory in Texas?

• What are my public school options for early education in Austin?

• What sort of license should I look for at a preschool?

• How can I get my family financial assistance for child care?

• What are my school options if I qualify for financial assistance?

When do kids start preschool?

Most preschools start accepting kids around the age of 2.5 to 3 years old, but since every child is different, this isn’t a magic number. Preschool readiness really depends more on developmental factors than chronological age. Read more in our post here.

What’s the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?

Preschool programs are generally for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is for the higher end of that range, usually for children 4 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is generally timed for the school year directly prior to when the child would enroll in kindergarten; pre-kindergartens are also usually attached to elementary schools, so families have a smooth transition to enroll in kindergarten the next year.

Is pre-k mandatory in Texas?

No. Preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are not mandatory in Texas. You can read more from the Texas Education Agency here.

What are my public school options for early education in Austin?

The Austin Independent School District offers public pre-kindergarten for students ages 4 to 5 years old, with some limited availability for students as young as 3 years old. Austin offers public pre-kindergarten for 4 to 5 year olds at almost all Austin elementary schools; pre-kindergarten is district-supported, or free, if your family meets eligibility requirements. Families can pay for tuition-based pre-kindergarten if they don’t qualify for those eligibility requirements. Tuition-based pre-kindergarten is still relatively reasonable in cost compared to private preschools in Austin.

What sort of license should I look for at a preschool?

Austin preschools are required to hold a child care license and are regulated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. You can search for a school’s license on the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’s website and see full inspections and reports from the last five years. There are some exemptions from a full child care license; faith-based preschools are notably exempt, as are preschools attached to a greater public or private elementary school (which are regulated via the school’s school age license).

How can I get my family financial assistance for child care?

Paying for child care is expensive, and Austin does provide options for families to receive financial assistance for care. In Travis County, aid is provided by the Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services program; families can check their eligibility for the program online and if eligible, complete an application. Financial assistance is subject to the program’s current funds, so exact benefit is hard to calculate in advance, but qualified families are encouraged to apply to get details on what assistance they can receive.

What are my school options if I qualify for financial assistance?

The Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services program, which provides financial aid for child care for qualified families, partners with over 400 child care programs in the Austin area, including both child care centers and in-home care providers. You can search for & secure a spot at any of these child care providers and have your care subsidized; they are all listed on the Workforce Solutions website. If you cannot find a spot at any of these child care providers, you can even organize care with a relative and still receive financial aid.