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Winnie
Finding the perfect preschool for your family can feel overwhelming when you’re starting your search. There are so many options out there, how are parents supposed to weed through and find the one that meets their needs? That’s where Winnie steps in to help! Winnie’s marketplace makes it easy to find the best preschools near you and browse photos, view licensing information, and read reviews from other parents. We did the legwork of getting together all the logistics and information you need, so you can focus on the fun stuff like booking tours and finding that perfect program for your child.
In Austin, the options for preschool programs are as electic as the neighborhoods and people who make Austin so great! Parents can choose between philosophies like Montessori and Waldorf and even dual language or bilingual programs. In fact, there are nearly 700 early childhood programs for families to choose from in Austin.
Our team of childcare experts have combed through the reviews to find some of the top-rated preschool programs in Austin. This guide is a great starting point for your search— but at the end of the day, you know your child best. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the program you choose. Be sure to tour any programs you’re considering, ask all your questions (even the ones you think are weird, they’re not weird we promise) and check the programs licensing information.
Top Rated Preschools for Austin, TX by Category
Montessori:
Highland Montessori School: Preschool program focused on providing children with the practical life skills they need to succeed. Classrooms are multi-age, so that children have the opportunity to both learn from each other across ages.
Highlights: Extracurricular activities like soccer, foreign language, and yoga are included in the school day, at no extra cost to parents. Highland Montessori maintains a ratio of 1 teacher for every 7 students.
Center-based preschool:
La Petite Academy of Austin: La Petite Academy’s preschool classroom is designed as a learning community, where children learn skills to prepare them for kindergarten while developing self-confidence and social-emotional skills. There are a lot of STEM materials incorporated into the curriculum which encourage problem solving and teamwork.
Highlights: Parents have access to streaming video to check in on their children throughout the day. La Petite also offers a Pre-K and Jr K class as well as a private Kindergarten, so children can stay at the same school until they move into first grade.
Bilingual Preschool:
Spanish:
INIC Preschool - International Immersion Center INIC Preschool is a Spanish immersion preschool that serves children from infancy through age five. INIC is a complete immersion program, meaning that Spanish is the only language spoken throughout the day in every classroom.
Highlights : Each classroom has a live streaming camera that parents can securely log into and check on their children throughout the day. The school also uses a parent-teacher communication app to share photos and highlights from the day..
Chinese:
Jordan International Montessori School:Jordan International Montessori School is a Mandarin-English full immersion school serving children from 18 months-old through Sixth Grade. Most of the day is spent in self-directed learning but there is also time for group-play and instruction.
Highlights: The curriculum is tailored to the needs of each child. Teachers design the activities to meet children where they are developmentally and foster growth and independence. The school goes up to sixth grade, so children can remain in the same building for multiple years.
Reggio-Emilia Preschool:
Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool of Lakeway- Private preschool program providing educational child care to children ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten in the Lakeway and Bee Cave communities.
Highlights: Nutritious meals are provided each day via an on-site chef. There is daily parent-teacher communication through a parent portal. The curriculum is open-ended and child-driven, focusing on creativity and exploration.
Religious Preschool:
Austin Peace Academy- An Islamic school that focuses on building character, compassion and and community. The school serves children from Pre-K through grade 12. Families of all religious backgrounds are welcomed.
Highlights: Although there is a foundation of Islamic culture and religion, APA embraces all cultures and religions and encourages students to express their individuality.
Free or low-cost preschool
Uphaus Early Childhood Development Center : Provides childcare services to children from infancy to school age. Spanish and English dual language program promotes personal, social, and educational success. Family engagement is encouraged.
Highlights: This program offers free Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 classes to income-eligible families through the Austin Independent School District.
Outdoor Preschool:
Good Earth Farm School - Nature inspires the curriculum and focuses on themes that mirror the changing seasons. Activities include baking, painting, gardening and other practical life activities. Toys are generally open-ended and inspired by nature.
Highlights: The program is held on a nearly two-acre farm, giving children lots of exposure to nature and the elements. Although the play yards are designed to facilitate play in sandboxes and on climbing structures—there are plenty of wide-open spaces for children to run and be imaginative.
Top Rated Preschools for Austin, TX by neighborhood
Depending on where in Austin you are searching, here are some more top-rated preschools by neighborhood!
- Clarksville- Open Door Preschool
- North Central Estates- The Children’s Courtyard of Austin
- South Austin- Emerald Wood Kindercare
- Avery Ranch- Kids R’ Kids Learning Academy
- Downtown Austin - First United Methodist Preschool
- Circle C Ranch- Circle C Child Development Center
More research
This guide is a great jumping-off point for your search but we encourage you to continue searching on your own. Once you have narrowed the options down to your shortlist, schedule some tours! Touring a preschool program is the best way to get your questions answered, meet the teachers and administrators, see the classroom and get a feel for the school culture.
You’ll also want to check and see if your family is eligible for any scholarships, subsidies or whether any schools on your shortlist offer free Pre-K3 or Pre-K4 programs. Preschool can be a huge financial burden for many families and luckily there are options like Head Start and Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services for families in Austin.
You know your child best, and you may find that one type of program suits your child better than another. Just because we’ve rated a school as “best” in a certain category, doesn’t mean it will be best for every child!
All the hard work you put into finding the perfect preschool for your family will pay off once you see how happy your child is and how much they love going to school!
