pre-school/SW Austin (Center, Hudson, West: day care, living in, teachers)

[LHudson]

We will be living in Western Oaks. Any recommendations for half-day programs for toddlers (2 yrs.)? I will consider a pre-school setting or an in-home provider. Thank you.

[andream]

Child's Way in Oak Hill offers a mother's morning out program 9-1pm. 2,3 or 5 day option.

www.childsway.com

[flystar6]

LHudson,

We moved here 2 years ago when my daughter was 2.5. It all depends on what you are looking for. Definitely go visit each school and observe how the teachers interact with the kids. In our experience we tried 5 schools in the last two years and all of the teachers were first year teachers. Experience matters when it comes to knowing how to handle a group of kids this age. Most were not as kind and loving to the kids because they were too busy trying to put out fires and keep them under control. With that said we loved Child's Way and only decided to leave because we wanted to try the Montessori method.
We also tried Barton Creek Child Development Center: too much like a day care. I also, interviewed Bright Horizons. The tour was great but the actual class observation was a nightmare. Very stern teachers and no fun. But who knows what the other classes are like.
Childs Way was great but we decided to try the montessori method.

[Raskolnikov]

I would stay away from Bright Horizons. Although it's been 2 years since we pulled our son out, the teacher turnover was extremely high among other things.