Childcare and Preschools

One of the first challenges facing a relocating family is finding appropriate childcare. Weighing the priorities of quality and cost along with finding an individual or a facility that you can trust is never an easy task.

When considering the possibilities for your child’s care, the following seven step checklist might prove useful:

• Look at all your options ­ nonprofit, church, and other community child care centers, private centers and company sponsored childcare.
• Schedule a first visit.
• Make an unannounced second visit.
• Ask for names and phone numbers of other parents; call them and ask candid questions.
• Check safety issues: cleanliness, cleaning supplies and utensils out of reach, furniture and toys in good shape, preparedness for emergencies, current medical records on all children.
• Check staff qualifications and turnover rates.
• Make sure the facility is licensed by the state.
Source: Southwestern Bell Consumer Information

Still unsure of tackling the childcare search on your own? The Austin area has several referral and guidance agencies that offer to help parents start their search. There are also a few drop-in childcare services that can assist you once you arrive in Austin.

Child Care Management Services
2538 S. Congress Avenue
(800) 825-1914

Austin Capital Grannies
4700 Balcones Woods Dr.
(512) 345-4577

Extend-A-Care
After School Child Care
55 N. I35, P.O. Box 6308
(512) 472-9402

Famiy Connections
825 E. 53rd&1/2, Bldg E 101
(512) 327-7878

Kid’s Space
13376 Research Blvd.
(512) 918-2562
1401 South IH-35
(512) 444-7774

The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services is the governing body responsible for licensure of childcare facilities. This agency suggests that one method of ensuring safety is for parents to follow up on a facility’s licensure. The agency also warns that it is the parent that ultimately needs to accept the responsibility of inspecting their daycare facility on a regular basis, thereby catching possible problems before they occur.

Alternate options to daycare include private pre-schools. Dozens exist throughout town, all with differing teaching styles and program choices. The following is a selected few.

All Saints Episcopal Church
209 West 27th Street
(512) 472-8866

Butterfly Christian Preschool
3525 Bee Caves Road
(512) 327-6035

Covenant Presbyterian School
3003 Northland Drive
(512) 454-5231

Elsass Academy
4015 bee Caves Rd
(512) 327-0888

First Presbyterian Day School
8001 Mesa Drive
(512) 345-8961

Good Shepherd Episcopal School
2206 Exposition Blvd
(512) 476-4393

Highland Park Baptist Preschool
5206 Balcones Drive
(512) 453-6605

Hyde Park Baptist School
3901 Speedway
(512) 465-838

Lakeway Church Christian Preschool
2203 Lakeway Blvd
(512) 261-6632

Montessori School of Lake Travis
13709 West Hwy 71
(512) 263-8050

Spicewood Country School
6102 Spicewood Springs Road
(512) 346-2992

St. Matthews Episcopal School
8134 Mesa Drive
(512) 345-3040

Tarrytown Baptist Children's Center
2600 Exposition Blvd
(512) 477-5851

Tarrytown United Methodist Church/Child's Day Out
2601 Exposition Blvd
(512) 478-2276

The Children's School
2825 Hancock Drive
(512) 453-1126

Westminster Presbyterian Day School
3208 Exposition Blvd
(512) 459-5062

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