My daughter started at Twin Oak Montessori School when she was 3 years and 10 months old and has…read morenow graduated at 5 years old. Our family moved to the US from another country, and her English level was very basic. I was worried about her adaptation without knowing the language. I'm so happy that I found Twin Oak because, over this period, she has quickly become fluent in English, made many friends, and looks forward to coming to school every day. The wonderful people from the school helped my daughter adapt to a new culture so easily. All the teachers, especially Miss Chuti and Miss Alina, have been incredibly kind and friendly to Nika. They really love children, and this is incredibly valuable to me. My heart always swells with happiness when I see my daughter smiling and happy after school. I love the educational program, which includes many topics such as science, math, new vocabulary, creative projects, and physical exercises like bicycling, splash days, and dance. Additionally, I appreciate how they support parents and lift my mood every morning when I drop off my kids. I'm so grateful to the Team! Sofia, mom of Nika

I love the Twin Oaks Montessori experience for my child. She joined at 18 months and just turned 3…read more She loves going to Twin Oaks every day, loves her teachers, and loves her friends. They may be more traditional (no screens, no digital communication), but I actually enjoy that. I don't need photos of her everyday. I can tell she's learning and engaged by the things she tells and shows us at home and how happy she is to see her teachers and friends each day at drop-off. I appreciate that the teachers are spending their time with my child actually teaching and guiding. My daughter knows her numbers, colors, shapes - even a song that names all the planets. She gets exposed to foreign languages (Spanish, French, Japanese, ASL), music, yoga, other cultures and countries, and so much more. There are some older reviews that mention coloring sheets, but we haven't experienced that. One of the teachers who has been there for roughly 2 years is an artist herself and helps the children with a guided (every child makes their version of the same image) or self-expressive (every child creates what they would like) each week. We even have some framed up in our child's room. I highly recommend Twin Oaks.

Just needed to quickly write this positive note about WorkCastle and finding them as a working…read moreparent in North Austin, for friendly, clean, safe and fun vibes for parents and kids to be had in the arboretum vicinity. We work up north, and live in the burbs these days but a decade ago, the gateway area was my home for a good while and going to whole foods, my dentist, and Panera were all my jam, so it was a pleasant find to see WorkCastle in my last shopping jaunt in this shopping plaza. We tried out a parents night out this month with them, and I was able to get a tour with Donaysia going thru a lot of details over email, quick replies to get me in and quell all my concerns about a new space for our 4 year old toddler to see and explore. I also got to meet Maya and Eugene - co-owners and husband and wife of the amazingness which is WorkCastle, and I loved their conversation and care to the space, how they keep both parents and kids safe in this hybrid space. WeWork meets childcare, depending on your needs, they have it all from daycare program to drop in care flexibility! My kiddo has not stopped begging to go back to the "fun school" and I'm sure I need to find a Saturday one of these days where I can just indulge in peace and quiet and appreciate knowing that he is taken care of by the teachers and staff of WorkCastle, and has fun doing so. Plus, the entire time he was in their care, hubs and I got tons of pictures and updates via app so we never wondered what was happening! 10 stars and all my love to the team!

This is an awesome idea and even better execution. Having an hourly co-working space that's cheaper…read morethan wework and doesn't require monthly subscription - I am sold. Also, they got a drop in childcare also on an hourly rate, which is great for those who need a peace of mind for an hour or two, or more.

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!

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!

Wow, what can I say, I feel like we won the jackpot when we found Magellan. our daughter started in…read moreKindergarten and although she isn't very good at adapting or transitions, she immediately fell in love with her teachers and school friends.. There are no cliques and no bullying and when we have had issues we have raised them with the teachers and they have jumped on them to solve them immediately, and unlike other private schools there's no sense of entitlement from the parents or students. Also, because the school is so good at awarding scholarships not everyone is 'rich'! The school also has a great parent teacher association which offer weekly meet-ups and play dates as well as adult only events. Each class also has a WhatsApp chat group so parents can easily communicate with each other. If it sounds like one big happy family you'd be right, that's exactly what it feels like. In terms of academics my adhd child has thrived. Diagnosed at 4 we thought she would struggle but the school has been amazing at supporting her needs and accommodating her. They also offer many different seating types from a bouncy ball chair, to cushions on the floor and other such. It's very holistic and non political and offers many diverse ways of learning. They have a calming corner, encourage reading and emotional open communication as well many other ways of teaching emotional and academic intelligence. They teach in Spanish from day one and introduce Mandarin from 3rd grade, they also teach following the international Baccalaureate which is amazing. It teaches the children self confidence through weekly presentations and teaches them autonomy. Honestly this school is amazing and now it goes until 12th grade we are obsessed and so you will be too. But, sshh don't tell anyone about our secret slice of heaven.

My son has attended Magellan since the age of three years old-- he is now in second and we have…read morealready registered him for third grade. Hands down, my husband and I feel it is best decision we have made for his education. Although it can be a bit pricey, we have felt that it has been worth every dollar. He is growing up to be a well spoken, well thought, caring little human. I love that he is bilingual, but I really love his open minded views and his eagerness to learn. The teachers... the teachers have all been so amazing. They are loving, caring and really take each student's personalities and abilities into consideration as they grow from year to year. As I said, it's not the cheapest option and we do discuss yearly if we will be renewing his tuition-- and, with each year this answer comes easier and easier with an astounding "YES". We love the school, the community, the parents and look forward to many more years at Magellan!

We cannot say enough amazing things about this magical place called Elements. We have had two…read more(rather wild) boys go from early on until Elementary School at Elements. The love, patience, guidance the teachers gave both boys was above and beyond. We would get daily photos of smiling faces every day and fun reviews from what the boys did. The teachers are truly exceptional--caring, attentive, and completely in tune with the needs and interests of each child. We've seen our children grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually in ways that feel deeply authentic and joyful. We also really love the emphasis on community and inclusivity. Elements feels like an extended family, and there's a clear commitment to diversity, kindness, and respect. We can't imagine a better preschool experience. Elements has set such a beautiful foundation for our children's lifelong love of learning--and for that, we'll always be grateful.

We love Elements!! I have had 2 kids go there, my youngest from age 18 months up through preK…read more Every teacher they hire is so kind, patient, and thoughtful. Ms. Jessica really tries to see the best in your kid and help them gain confidence and skills. They focus on inclusion, diversity, and generally learning how to be a great human. They are so flexible with various needs and really just have gone above and beyond for our family. We previously were at a more corporate daycare which always felt chaotic to me. This has been the most peaceful experience and I am so glad my kiddos got to be a part of the Elements family.

My little has been at this school for the past 2 1/2 years and has been provided wonderful care of…read moreby their loving staff. Would recommend to anybody who wants a safe, fun, play centered daycare. She is now about to start kindergarten and it will be bitter sweet to leave but she has been given the foundation she needs. I will be forever grateful for "her tribe" that has nurtured her through her toddler years.

We love this school. Last spring we started our son at a highly rated daycare school that was…read morepretty expensive and although we loved the teacher nothing about dealing with the school or director went smoothly. We moved our son to child craft and were a little hesitant at first with the price being significantly lower than the previous and just not appearing quite as new or fresh I could say. We love love miss rachel and my son is happy here. He isn't nearly as aggressive at home as he was with the other school and has learning to communicate better and follow direction better and he just loves the playground so much too and they do full on potty training too so the months of stalled potty training at his last school and two months of being at this one and at home training he is almost 100% trained aside from nighttime.

Both of our kids have gone to NWM and have absolutely thrived! The program somehow manages to be…read moreplay-based while still being very academic. Both kids graduated able to read and write well beyond grade level, add and subtract small numbers, and count to 1000. They've been over prepared for Kindergarten. The staff is lovely, kind, and enthusiastic. They do lots of hands-on crafts and STEM activities that the kids come home talking about. They also do occasional theme weeks/days like bubble units or bring your pet to school day which the kids look forward to. It's a wonderful school and we couldn't be happier with our experience.

Our little one is wrapping up her time at NWM, and we're going to miss this community so much. It…read morehas been such a sweet little haven for her - a place where she's built so much confidence, learned and grown tremendously, made wonderful friends, and truly become ready for kindergarten. We've had experience with two other Montessori schools in both South and North Austin, and NWM was by far our favorite. The teachers and community have made her time here incredibly special, and we're so grateful for the care they've given her. We would wholeheartedly recommend NWM to any family looking for a warm, nurturing, and enriching preschool/Pre-K experience in the area.