As a single parent, this place has helped me so much with last minute childcare. I couldn't recommend it enough!

We used drip in care when visiting Austin with the kids over the summer. They had a blast and keep asking to come back. Staff is friendly and attentive. They give the kids coins to get a prize after they leave for the day. Good option if you want a date night or alone time. Very affordable compared to the drop in care we have at home. Will be our go to when we visit Austin again. read more

We used Ashley's for spring break because my husband and i both work full time, my daughter went on both field trips and enjoyed all the spring break activities they had for the kids! My daughter is a sensitive soul so sometimes she can take things the wrong way but the teachers were very kind and helped reassure her/eased our worries when my spouse picked her up at the end of the day! She loved the Austin science museum trip and still talks about the baby crocodile and axolotls, there was never any negative feedback from her or concerns on our end, our kiddo asked when she can go back again! read more

I truly love my sons daycare. My work schedule makes it impossible to have him in any other daycare other than a private nanny so they are my go to for childcare. They know him by name, he's excited to go and he comes home having played outside, played along with other children and he's done a craft. The owner Ashley is warm and inviting as well as the manager Dee. Everyone who works here is kind and helpful. Great hours- even Sundays! We've been going here for two years and it's like a second home. read more

Ashley’s Playhouse - The logo on one of the doors - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Austin, Texas

5 Stars - Hands Down the Best in Town! Ashley's Playhouse has been an absolute blessing for me as a single mom. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warmth and care that fills the space. The owner, Ashley, is one of the kindest and most passionate people I've ever met. The price is more than fair and it's clear that she genuinely loves what she does and pours her heart into creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for every child who walks through the door. The entire staff is just as wonderful--so sweet, patient, and attentive. My daughter absolutely loves going and always comes home with a smile (and a new little toy thanks to their fun token reward system!). It's such a thoughtful way to encourage good behavior and give kids something to look forward to at the end of the day. I've been to many other daycare centers in all of Austin area, and this one is hands down the best in town. Not only is the inside super cool and fun for the kids, but they also get outdoor playtime, so they're not stuck in a building all day and it's always very clean. They even have a meal system, which is a lifesaver for busy mornings--no need to pack food if you're in a rush! It gives me so much peace of mind knowing that my child is in such loving hands. I truly can't recommend Ashley's Playhouse enough. It's not just a day center, it's a place where kids are genuinely cared for, and where parents feel supported and welcomed. read more

Just to update my previous review. Both my kids are finally old enough to be in the main play area together and we are thankful that whenever we have an emergency and need childcare, Ashley's playhouse is open. I thought this is worth mentioning as I do have another drop-in hourly daycare option that's 5 minutes away from where I live but they are often short-staffed, so we aren't able to utilize it anyway. My oldest can be shy but she's finally opening up to people she's not familiar with. She said Ashley's playhouse is a lot of fun, there are lots of toys and the teachers take good care of the kids making sure everyone is safe. When it's time to leave, kids are given tokens to receive small gifts, ending the visit with a fun and sweet note. We love you Ms. Ashley and thank you to all the teachers and staff working really hard during this difficult time. read more

Ashley’s Playhouse - Token for toys! - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's unfortunate that I send my kid lunch food and she wasn't even there for 3 hrs came back to get her all of her food was gone there was a lot in her lunch box no way!!! She could have ate everything in there in that time frame... as well as very inconsistent with there prices! read more

We've brought our little ones here before (on at least 2 occasions) when my youngest was still going to the baby room, but now that she's 22 months old, we were advised she's now allowed to be in the main play area where the older kids play. This review is based on our first experience yesterday, having both my 3.5 years old and now 22 month old in the main play area. Just a note: generally, the staff is friendly in person and over the phone. We brought my littles here yesterday (Saturday) and I immediately felt uncomfortable because the space was frantic and overcrowded. There were much older kids in the same space as the littles and the space did not feel adequate for the amount of kids present. But my husband and I decided to trust the facility and move forward with our plans, because after all, it was lunch hour (so I considered this could be why things seemed so hectic); and this was not their first time at Ashley's (but again, this would be the first time we would leave our youngest in the main play area). When my husband and I returned from our outing we saw our kids happily playing together, but my youngest's shorts were completely wet. When I asked about the last time she was changed, I was told an hour ago and was, coincidentally, "just about to be checked for a diaper change." Again, my daughter was soaked through her shorts-- so no one saw this for an hour? When I checked her diaper bag I noticed that only one of her diapers was missing. When I mentioned this, the staff was adamant that they changed 2 wet diapers in a nearly 6 hour timeframe, but checked her regularly. They also advised that she drank a lot of milk and water while there and that was likely why she wet herself so much, so fast. This response was unsettling as my child wetting through her clothes is unheard of regardless of how much she drinks... so the only explanation is, she hadn't been changed for awhile. Frustrated and eager to get my kids home, I asked for the diaper changing logs and we left, knowing that I would be calling back on the next business day to make a complaint with the manager and/or owner-- as the condition my baby was in was unacceptable. If there are too many kids at the facility for each child (especially the littles who can't care for themselves) to get the most basic level of care, then this facility has major issues and should NOT be in operation. On the drive home with my family, my 3.5-year-old told me that they watched a "spooky movie." When I asked the name of this movie, she told me Hocus Pocus. So, my 3.5 year old and not yet 2-year-old were exposed to a movie that's really for older kids, and no adult staff member thought anything of it? No one thought to even inform us as parents so we could make a decision for our own young children? Who approved of this being an appropriate movie for little kids to also watch? After this experience yesterday, I have major concerns with the staff and management of this place and I will not bring my children back or recommend this establishment until I feel my concerns have been properly addressed and adequately handled. If then. I will update my review accordingly. read more

I love bringing my baby girl here! They have helped in a pinch and I can trust that they take care of my baby when she is there. They use finger printing for when you check your child in and out and parents don't go past a certain access point. The infants have their own room separate from the big kids and they keep to the 4-1 ratio to ensure quality care. read more

This is an update. Ashley's playhouse is an awesome solution for parents. My daughter ended up loving the place. I believe she was experiencing separation anxiety completely unrelated to Ashley's. Ashley and the team did a great job helping make her feel excepted. Thank you all read more

Extremely satisfied with this drop in day care center while I was in town for work. I love that the parents can see into the space, and get a feel for what the kids are doing most of the day. The staff is really friendly, and they all get to know parents and kids quickly. My daughter really seem to enjoy her time here, and I will definitely return if and when I am back in the Austin area. read more

My three girls have gone here at least 10 times now over the past month. Every. Single. Time! They have absolutely loved it there and had a blast. Ashley and her team do an amazing job at keeping the kids safe, letting them have fun and making them want to keep coming back. I'm SO thankful I found this place! read more

I never leave reviews but I want anyone who is debating on taking their Child/children here - I want to start off by saying my daughter has never been in daycare before and has only been babysat by my mom and grandmother, she is still breastfed and is extremely attached to me. I started bringing her here about a month ago starting off slowly and they have been more than helpful with being very honest on how my 10-month-old is doing, they have made me feel more than comfortable on getting on a plan that makes everyone happy including my daughter which is number one! They are so sweet, caring, and I can truly tell the passion they have! I am so happy I came across this amazing place. Don't let the 4 stars or less take away from the TRUE reviews that they deserve 5 stars all the way around. Kids will be kids, and any parent should understand that they do the best they can and are human too, also taking some stress off of us as parents- and for the single moms out there too. Thank you guys! read more

Ashley’s Playhouse - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Austin, Texas

Could not recommend this place more!! We were visiting Austin for the weekend and I needed a couple hours for work and it was so easy and convenient to drop off my daughter for a few hours. I was able to tour the property and meet the staff beforehand and my mind was at ease. The staff were LOVELY! The facility was great and all the children are pretty much playing in one area, which was nice. There weren't any nooks where the children could play unsupervised, which is always especially important for the little ones. I wish I lived closer because I would utilize this place so often. I can easily plan more Austin getaways because now I have a safe place for my kiddo to hangout if I want to go explore. read more

This place has always been very positive and friendly with me and my girls! I just recently started taking both of my girls back after realizing I had credit left from just my oldest daughter. It's been such a great experience with my almost 2 year old and 7 year old so me and the hubby and can do quick little dinner date nights once in awhile. The staff is always so friendly and helpful I've meet Ashley there multiple times she is always there polite and makes me feel at ease leaving my girls there for a few hours usually in the evenings. My 7 year old never has any complaints and I make sure to ask her about every little thing to ensure it was a good time. I appreciate the staff always being so polite and friendly and willing to work late so us parents can have have a quick break, thank you! Will Continue coming here read more

I kind of have a mid-range opinion of Ashley's Playhouse. I like Ashley's well enough. It is a good option for last minute childcare. My kids usually have a good time. However, sometimes it's too busy and my kids are overwhelmed. Last time we used the service, there were A LOT of kids. I noticed that the floor was super dirty, which is understandable on a busy day, but I didn't feel great about leaving my kids in a dirty space. Also, my kids told me that some smaller children were hitting them. My son said a child punched him in the stomach. I'm super irritated about that but don't think there's much I can do about it. Other times, there have been less kids when I drop my kids off and I didn't notice any cleanliness issues. My kids have given great reviews on days when there are less kids and they give terrible reviews when it's crowded.The staff is super nice and welcoming every time. All things considered, the staff does a good job and the place is a good option. read more

Ashley’s Playhouse - That feeling when you drop your kids off so you can have a date night! - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is great for our family on weekends when we need care for a date or working. Check-in is always quick and easy. Both my kids love it and always ask if they can go back ASAP. Lots of stuff to keep them busy. Staff is attentive and warm. Facility is clean. read more

I want to start this review by saying I actually tried a few other drop-in spots before I found this one. Maybe I am a crazy mama, but I WOULD NOT leave my kiddo at some spots in town. Ashley needs a VACATION. (let me repeat that again in case she's reading this - a VACATION) .. but it is really comforting to know the owner is always there. Shes made me feel like my kiddo is special and taken care of. I work from home and get a lot of time with my bub so this (and the gym) was my first experience with childcare. My kiddo (Tuesday) loves it here and I am so excited to find a spot for everything from date night to spa time. I have already recommended this place to a few friends. A referral program is all they are lacking. read more

I brought my 15m old here when I was visiting from out of town. My son had never been to daycare and I was quite nervous leaving him but he lit up when he was met with smiles and saw other kids. The staff was so kind and welcoming, I immediately felt at ease. I brought everything he would need for the day and staff recorded everything and they were more than happy to tell me how he was doing when I'd call to check on him. The space was welcoming and colorful and he even got some (safe) outdoor time. He loved the variety of toys compared to what we had with us at the hotel. Really a wonderful experience and we were sad on the last day to leave such incredible people. Should I find myself in the area again I'd have no hesitation bringing my son here. read more

We have been going here since my youngest was a few months old. The staff are great, Ms. Lyric in the baby room is so wonderful with the babies-- lots of trust there. They take the babies on buggy rides and my daughter absolutely loved it. My middle child, 3, loves to play here and get the prize at the end. He enjoys playing the game on the floor and the movie room. Ms. Dee is also wonderful. Ashley, the owner, is a wonderful person who cares about all of the children. She genuinely cares about the families and is someone you can trust. I love this place as a drop-in daycare. It is relieving to drop them off on short notice to people I totally trust. Update- still think this place is amazing. And how can you not trust this place? I've never seen a daycare in Austin area with all 5 stars! read more

This place is so amazing! We've brought our twin boys here a couple of times and they're always upset when it's time to leave. This place is so cute, clean, and organized. My boys always come home healthy!!! The staff is so nice and accommodating. I met Ashley at our first drop-off and she was also very sweet and helpful. Check-in/check-out is super easy; cost is very reasonable. We couldn't be more happy with the care here. read more

We needing to find some drop in care for our ten year old for a few days while we were in Austin. We were there for the week while my husband was having surgery in town. Due to Covid, our son was not allowed in the hospital. I Googled drop in daycare and only two came up and Ashley's Playhouse was one of them. And thank God we found it. The place was nice a comfortable, our son made himself at home in such a short time, and he's on the spectrum. So if you know anything about autism, you know that a big deal. The staff was very nice over the phone and in person. The made the process very easy, partly because of the resources on their website. I knew the price I was going to be paying and everything, allowing me to budget for the time we would be down there. When I picked up and dropped off, they made a point to ask how my husband was doing, which really meant a lot to me. We already know that he will have to have another surgery before the end of the year. One thing I am not worried about, if all these Covid protocols are still in place, is where my child will be while sitting in the hospital with my husband. Thank Ashley's Playhouse, you all are a Godsend! read more

This review is for a kids birthday party. Our guest list quickly out grew the capacity of our house... and with 100+ degrees outside, asking guests to overflow outside, was not going to happen. (Sadly, my infinity pool has yet to be installed... another life time perhaps.) So a week before my daughter's 2nd birthday and 40+ guests coming to my house, I decided to find another location. I knew I wanted certain things: - Air Conditioning (duh) - Private Space (didn't want to share with hundreds of people) - Play options for the kids that can work with any theme (we were doing Elmo) - Enough space for the adults (because at this age, you have more adults, than children) Ashley's Playhouse was all of the above. Holy WOW. The current pricing for parties is $250... and what do you get? The ENTIRE SPACE IS YOURS! You don't have to share with 10 other parties. Bring in YOUR OWN FOOD!! Or you can order pizza through them (great deal)! DECORATE however you want! But really, not much is needed because the place is so stinkin cute as is! And they are really hands on! Ashley (the owner) and Desiree were awesome! They brought food to people who weren't getting up and going to the kitchen to grab it... Helped with a coloring contest we had... Were 100% flexible with whatever ideas I had... Were super welcoming and sweet to everyone there. Seriously, EVERYONE loved them! I literally couldn't think of anything more perfect than this for my daughter's 2nd birthday party... Perhaps the infinity pool. But alas, until I have a house that can accommodate 40+ people in the house OR outside, this is the place! And the best part is, I know we can come back anytime we want... My daughter LOVED playing there and so did her friends! So I see a date night in the near future! Thank you Ashley for such an amazing place and such an amazing party! We will see you very soon! read more

(Draft from 5 years ago that wasn't published until now) I was hesitant about bringing my 23 month old here at first because I'm very picky about where my baby goes. But, I knew this place was awesome when I walked in. Everything was clean, organized and, most importantly, the kids looked happy being there. The staff seemed relaxed and everything just felt "right". read more

This drop-in childcare is amazing. Our nanny called in sick last minute and neither my husband or I could take a day off from work today so I decided to take my son to this place. The staff and the owner were all so friendly and the place is so welcoming and clean! (I'm assuming cleanliness is a huge deal for all parents when it comes to their children's daycare). I could tell my son had a great time with all the fun activities and toys. I had never used a drop-in before because I was always afraid of the concept but I highly recommend this place for all parents! I knew my kid was in great hands :) Oh, and I forgot to mention that there is a huge indoor treehouse and a movie theater!! read more

I have been to Ashley's Playhouse a few times already since they have opened and it has been a wonderful experience for my daughter (8 months) and me! They take infants as young as 6 weeks and there is a completely separate infant room with cribs, a nursing corner, fridge/food prep area, and tons of toys to play with and room to explore! My daughter always gets tons of hands on care and play time, which is what Ashley's Playhouse excels in! Mom, on the other hand, gets the piece of mind that her daughter is being taken care of by experienced, qualified and responsible staff so that she can go run errands, get pampered, go out with friends, let her husband take her on date night, or -to be honest - sometimes we all just need a nap! While I was on site, I saw the older kids playing in a unique and wonderfully captivating treehouse, building blocks, a cinema room, outdoor play area, plus tons of other hands-on activities in a clean, light-filled, open space! There were staff supervising and engaging the children in different types of play, whether it be painting or building something! I will definitely be going back and the pricing is by the hour - $12 for my infant which is more affordable than most qualified babysitters who charge $15-20/hour (care.com is where I found my babysitters in my area previously and that was the normal range). Plus they are open late on the weekdays and really late on Friday/Saturday! read more

Wonderful place. They're all very nice and qualified. Our kid loves going here. The kids have a lot of activities. A giant floor video game, make believe toys, a tree house inside. A playground outside. And Ashley's sells blocks of hours at a discount. I work from home so the hours made it an easy way to drop our son off without worrying about things read more

I have been taking my 6 and 2 year old sons to Ashley's playhouse for about 6 months now. My 2 year old goes about 4 times a week and my 6 year old once a week. They absolutely love coming here. My staff is so sweet and my kids give them hugs every time we leave. They know my kids by their names and always say hi and goodbye to them. When it has been a few days since I have taken them there my boys ask if they can go to Ashleys. They have an outdoor playground, a movie room, an interactive game mat, a treehouse with a slide. Who wouldn't want to come and play here! I don't trust a lot of people to watch my kids and I trust Ashleys in every way! They have truly been a lifesaver to my family. They are even open late which is great for date night! read more

Every month or so my husband and I try to get our stuff together enough to have a date night. Enter APH. The staff there is so friendly, and even though my daughter is there few and far between they always recognize her by name when she comes in the door. That makes me feel good. When I come to pick her up, she's always in a great mood. She especially loves getting a little toy from the toy machines at the end of the night. read more

We love this place. Especially my 3 year old son, he asks to come here all the time. I love that they give kids tokens or paper money at the end and they have great hours. We had an incident where another kid hurt my son but they handled it very well and my son doesn't even remember it. We also got horribly sick from him being around all the kids but that's to be expected anywhere. This is our first drop in daycare we've ever been to but we like it a lot! read more

UPDATE: I spoke with Ashely personally on the phone and she explained the protocols to me that I was un aware of for bathroom breaks. I feel very satisfied with how the conversation went. She refunded my registration fee without me even asking . They seem to really care how their customers feel and I can appreciate that. **I came here because of the amazing reviews . I thought for sure my 4 year old daughter would have a blast playing with other kids while I tended to business I needed to. I left her for 2 hours..that's it. When I came to pick her up they took 10 minutes to FIND her . When they finally did I saw her walking hand in hand with the front desk lady with blonde hair and tears in my daughter eyes and when she saw me she started bawling . Said she was trying to use potty and nobody would unbutton her pants even though she was yelling Help Help!. The front desk lady said she wasn't alone someone was but when I asked my daughter she said she was. I asked my daughter if she likes it and she said mommy i don't want to go back. * I would like to add that most of the kids there looked to be having fun and my 4 year old has spent years in speech therapy so her vocab isnt the greatest. But understandable for the most part. She also has some sensory sensitivities such as, smell and taste and a little on the emotional side. This just wasn't the place for her read more

So helpful! We just relocated to the Austin area. We definitely need childcare and just play time. The staff seem to know the boys names super quick. They run to get in and are happy when we get them, no crying. They get so excited about the prize token or tickets. Everyone seems very accommodating. It was the most expensive out of the 5 places we were considering (wish that would change) but it was also the biggest (has outdoor playground) and the most variety. **We LOVE that it's a drop in/hours that fit our scheduling needs! I met Ashley (she was working and helped me with my kiddos) the other day as well and thanked her for her awesome business We definitely want to know our kids are in a safe, *clean, fun environment with staff that love kiddos and want to *play WITH them. Thanks to *all* the staff!!!!!! read more

Ahhhhh, I cannot believe I haven't written a review for the fantabulous Ashley's Playhouse yet! We bring our 18 month old here about twice a week. Sometimes more if I have meetings etc. She loves it and so do I. Not only are the amazingly flexible hours a complete God send but the staff is so great. My little girl loves coming and so does our 10 year old. They're always laughing and playing with the toys, the treehouse or playing in the movie theater. The art projects are plentiful so my fridge is always filled up...a total bonus ;) Check out Ashley's. You won't be disappointed. read more

I have to admit, I sometimes tend to be overly protective of my daughter and a bit of a germaphobe. I have never put my child in daycare, but now that she's three and a half decided to give this place a try after hearing rave reviews by some neighbors. I'm happy I did because I really like it! The staff is GREAT and they run the place very well considering how chaotic it probably could get with kids coming and going at various times and days. This is definitely my go-to place now for child care when I occasionally need it. It's nice to have peace of mind when you leave your child in someone else's care. My daughter leaves happy and is always excited anytime I tell her we're coming here. read more

I'm a little confused by the 5-star reviews. Today was my first time to bring my 5 and 9 year old to spend the day while I had to work, and I just knew they'd enjoy their time after reading about this facility on their website. Assuming there would be some sort of structure, I felt comfortable leaving my kids there. Quite the contrary. My 9 year old walked out with a long face and my 5 year old immediately said, "This was the worst day ever." They're usually walking out with energy. When my 5 year old accidentally hit my 9 year old (they're siblings, it happens--and it wasn't a serious hit), one of the teachers demanded she sit in timeout. My oldest tried to tell the teacher that's his sister and that it was an accident, but she still insisted my daughter sit out while she cried, then told my son to sit down. My son even overheard the teachers complaining about their jobs, which is highly unprofessional in front of the kids they're watching. I give Ashley's Playhouse one star, and we will not be returning. For the price, I expected a cleaner atmosphere with at least a little bit of structure for the kids. read more

I had my daughter's 3rd birthday party here and we loved it! Our kiddie guests ranged from 2 to 6 years old, and everyone had a good time. Some enjoyed the tree house, some liked taking out the toys, and some hung out in the small movie theater. There was something for everyone. The location was spacious, so there was room for parents to sit while their kids ran around. The best part for us was that there was staff to help set up and clean up, and we didn't have to do much work beyond managing the party guests. My husband even wants to have my daughter's birthday here again next year! read more

If you are a Parent in need of a safe and clean environment for your kids especially in a moment's notice! This place is great!

Man. This place is a godsend. Like, how did people function before drop in daycare?! My 17 month old loves being here, the caretakers are all so sweet and attentive, and I feel like I'm leaving him somewhere safe and happy when I drop him off. There's even a finger print check out system, so you know your kid is secure. I love it here, and my little dude does too. He doesn't even cry when I leave him, which is more than I can say for school! Five stars plus! read more

I had to contact Ashley's playhouse one day before bringing my son there for the first time and I was surprised how easy the process was. My son had a rough start as it was his first experience in a daycare setting. When i called to check in on him, Ashley was very honest about it and although i was worried i was so glad she told me. Shortly after Ashley called to let me know he was doing much better and was having a great time. They are great at communicating and are taking precautionary rules during this time. Thank you Ashley giving my son his first daycare experience! read more

I absolutely love Ashley's Playhouse, and so does my daughter. We use their service for spring break and Christmas break, as well as movie/date nights. Their membership is worth checking out as well. Huge fan of this local business! read more