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 have been attending Vertias Academy for about 8 years. It has truly been a blessing to be a…read morepart of our children's education and walk this path together. Academically, they set the bar high and continue to evaluate all academic areas to make sure that they are providing the best education each year. My favorite part, there is no distinction between Christianity and academics. Veritas integrates them together beautifully and the result is Christian children with character, values, wisdom, and knowledge. What more can a parent ask for.

From the owner: Veritas Academy is a fully accredited, non-denominational, PreS-12th Grade school in southwest…read moreAustin. Our school is a Classical, Christian, University-Model school. Students are taught the skills of time management and independent study as the University-Model redirects time from school to the family, affirming the parent's role as the primary influence in their children's lives.

Don't go to the one on 290, really gone down hill. Rude staff, unorganized and overcharged for…read moretheir classes. My children were there last year, (summer camp) doing ceramics in class. They promised them at the end of summer, never got them. Called and they said they emailed us. Nope. When inquired more, the manager was very rude, Catherine was her name. Go to Art Garage.

We absolutely love this art school! We discovered this little gem during some challenging…read moretimes...the summer of 2020 (enough said!). Even with everything going on, they ran an OUTSTANDING camp experience for the kids. Our 6 year old and his friend (8 yr old) both had a blast flexing their creativity, while learning a variety of artistic styles and expressions. We ended up registering for more weeks of camp because they enjoyed it so much, and created a wall-of-art to proudly showcase our boy's work at home (see photo). I highly recommend this place, it's amazing staff--especially, Sarah--and the safe, caring learning environment they provide for our precious kiddos.

We loved AESA Prep and the entire staff. They've created a loving and supportive environment for…read morestudents to thrive in. The small classroom sizes made it possible for our daughter to get the individualized attention she needed. We loved Ms Caro, both Mr Leals, Mr Garcia, Ms Carrie...... Thank you all for loving and caring for our girl.

AESA has been a life-changing school for my child and our family! The teachers are exceptional!…read moreOur family is so thankful for this amazing school! AESA has provided an environment where my child is nurtured, inspired, and taught with hands-on experiences that accompany creative lessons. His teachers truly care about him as an individual, and communicate with me regarding his progress and growth needs. I so appreciate the kindness shown daily to my child, and the wonderful friendships he has developed with the other children. AESA never ceases to amaze me at the activities offered to my child to enrich his learning such as rodeo day, guest speakers, field trips, and cultural activities of all types. Our family loves attending the many events offered to us as well. It truly is a warm and welcoming community for us all! We are so thankful for AESA!

I had the great fortune of working with Nancy on several occasions. She is a kind-hearted person…read morewith a gentle loving manner. She works on many levels of your being to provide you with whatever is coming up for you at the time from source.

From the owner: Lotus Energy Work is your go to source for the spiritual healing that you have been looking for…read more Lotus Energy Work is here to serve the residents of Austin, TX and the other surrounding areas of Round Rock, Kyle, San Marcos and Wimberley, TX. Some of our services include spiritual healing, reiki, chakra balancing, alternative psychological treatment, holistic healing, energy work, energy healing, guided meditations and craniosacral therapy. If you are ready to get your energy aligned with the universe, then we are here to assist you. Lotus Energy Work is the number one expert in town when it comes to energy work. Lotus Energy Work can help you transform your mind, body and spirit. If you feel that you have been way too stressed as of late and running around with no emotional connection to your responsibilities, then some energy work can potentially help you. Going about your life extremely busy, stressed and distracted is not the ideal way to live your life. It is a far better experience to be present and connected. Lotus Energy Work can teach you how to stay present throughout your day and keep your stress levels to a minimum. We will show you how to control your own internal emotions as opposed to the outside world controlling your emotions. Stress can lead to a wide range of different illnesses and problems. We will help you stay present throughout the day, which will in return drastically relieve your stress...

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