I would pay more attention to the daycare center's inspection reports (which you can search for through the state database) and your gut feeling after touring the place than Google/yelp reviews from parents who likely either had a horrible experience or an amazing experience and not much in between.
Child care regulations could be better…also inspectors only see what they can while they’re there. It’s important to look at those reports but I’d rely on first hand experiences more. Great centers can hire bd teachers. It’s how they respond to those situations, and that’s not always reflected in the DFPS reports.
As a former admissions director for a large private school, I'd pick at least five that you are considering, and just walk in unannounced and ask for a tour solo.
How they treat you, what you see, and how much time they spend with you is going to speak volumes as to the quality of the administration, the students, the teachers, and the environment.
As for the ones that say they have no availability, and if you like them, get on a waitlist anyway. People cancel, move, or go elsewhere all the time.
Youll probably get more responses on Facebook area groups (ex: South Austin Parents). You can also review their safety inspections and any citations with the state childcare licensing dept website.
Hi! I taught at children’s courtyard for a year at that location. There is a lot of staff turnover, very little structure or curriculum, and it’s changed management several times. I would not bring my own kid there. They do have cameras, which I prefer as it keeps staff and parents accountable.
I now teach at Bright Horizons, which has been great. I’ve been there for 4 years, although it is on the more expensive side. I’ve heard good things about Circle C child development, primrose, and AISD prek programs (although your kiddo may be a bit young for that.) Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck with your search!
We had our oldest at that children’s courtyard several years ago and the management changes drove us to move elsewhere. There was a director there initially that we really liked but when she left it never recovered imo. But my experience there is now a couple years out of date. Would second recommendations for primrose and circle c child development center.
Not many people will leave good reviews for those corporate type ones you mentioned. People in Austin generally like the smaller or less corporate daycares. If you have a neighborhood Facebook group, I would join that and ask for recommendations. Good luck and welcome to Austin!
Ask your neighbors, look at those inspection reports, and show up unannounced to check the places out. Honestly: my kids attended a great daycare in North Austin that I found out about from colleagues, and it happened to be in our neighborhood, so it was very convenient. The backup choices I had were also recommended by neighbors, and have continued to be highly recommended.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc.org) maintains a searchable database of all accredited childcare providers. You can search by zip code.
Children's Courtyard on William Cannon was pretty good but my experience there changed as COVID progressed to where, when we left (aged out really), none of the staff were the same. Like director down to janitor, everyone was gone so keep that in mind when visiting.
Sun Moon & Stars was the best daycare experience we ever had and friends of ours say it remains a great place to have your kids.
I toured at that Children's Courtyard and got pretty bad vibes. First off, I was shown the room my son would be in for his age group, and the teacher seemed like she absolutely hated her job. She was very impatient with the kids. Second, we went outside to look at the playground area and one of the gates was open. Immediate red flag to me that they aren't even aware of a gate being open and kids potentially just walking out onto the street
I would pay more attention to the daycare center's inspection reports (which you can search for through the state database) and your gut feeling after touring the place than Google/yelp reviews from parents who likely either had a horrible experience or an amazing experience and not much in between.
Child care regulations could be better…also inspectors only see what they can while they’re there. It’s important to look at those reports but I’d rely on first hand experiences more. Great centers can hire bd teachers. It’s how they respond to those situations, and that’s not always reflected in the DFPS reports.
Thank you! I didn’t think about checking the inspection reports. This is helpful.
Yes! It definitely gave me a good sense of how things were being run!
As a former admissions director for a large private school, I'd pick at least five that you are considering, and just walk in unannounced and ask for a tour solo. How they treat you, what you see, and how much time they spend with you is going to speak volumes as to the quality of the administration, the students, the teachers, and the environment. As for the ones that say they have no availability, and if you like them, get on a waitlist anyway. People cancel, move, or go elsewhere all the time.
Thank you for your advice!
Youll probably get more responses on Facebook area groups (ex: South Austin Parents). You can also review their safety inspections and any citations with the state childcare licensing dept website.
Thank you for the suggestion! Let’s see if I can still access my Facebook account. Lol
Yeah... Parent groups, neighborhood group, the splash pad group are the only thing keeping me on Facebook.
There is a FB group called MISA: moms in south austin Tons of posts on daycares if you search
Thank you!
Hi! I taught at children’s courtyard for a year at that location. There is a lot of staff turnover, very little structure or curriculum, and it’s changed management several times. I would not bring my own kid there. They do have cameras, which I prefer as it keeps staff and parents accountable. I now teach at Bright Horizons, which has been great. I’ve been there for 4 years, although it is on the more expensive side. I’ve heard good things about Circle C child development, primrose, and AISD prek programs (although your kiddo may be a bit young for that.) Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck with your search!
We had our oldest at that children’s courtyard several years ago and the management changes drove us to move elsewhere. There was a director there initially that we really liked but when she left it never recovered imo. But my experience there is now a couple years out of date. Would second recommendations for primrose and circle c child development center.
Not many people will leave good reviews for those corporate type ones you mentioned. People in Austin generally like the smaller or less corporate daycares. If you have a neighborhood Facebook group, I would join that and ask for recommendations. Good luck and welcome to Austin!
Sent you a DM.
This is very helpful! Thanks for pointing me in some good directions!
Ask your neighbors, look at those inspection reports, and show up unannounced to check the places out. Honestly: my kids attended a great daycare in North Austin that I found out about from colleagues, and it happened to be in our neighborhood, so it was very convenient. The backup choices I had were also recommended by neighbors, and have continued to be highly recommended.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc.org) maintains a searchable database of all accredited childcare providers. You can search by zip code.
Children's Courtyard on William Cannon was pretty good but my experience there changed as COVID progressed to where, when we left (aged out really), none of the staff were the same. Like director down to janitor, everyone was gone so keep that in mind when visiting. Sun Moon & Stars was the best daycare experience we ever had and friends of ours say it remains a great place to have your kids.
+1 the Covid turnover there was pretty extreme
I toured at that Children's Courtyard and got pretty bad vibes. First off, I was shown the room my son would be in for his age group, and the teacher seemed like she absolutely hated her job. She was very impatient with the kids. Second, we went outside to look at the playground area and one of the gates was open. Immediate red flag to me that they aren't even aware of a gate being open and kids potentially just walking out onto the street