“My two sons have been at CDC since we moved to Austin almost three years ago and we love being part of the CDC community. The teachers are warm, nurturing, and consistent. It is a huge benefit for me to know that my kids are healthy and happy when I am at work and that they actually like going to school. I was already a fan of the school, but my esteem has increased immeasurably now that I have spent whole weeks there photographing the kids as a fly on the wall and I have observed first hand what an exceptional place it is.”
“A loves all his teachers. K and I are absolutely thrilled about A’s time at the school in the woods! We’ve only had wonderfully positive exchanges with ALL the teachers. Everbody should feel proud of the mentoring they’re doing! Also, the teacher gender balance is super!”
”The Children’s Discovery Center is not for everyone, but it’s pretty perfect for us. The teachers are loving, and the emphasis is on creativity and letting kids be kids- this means that children run around in underwear or diapers or costumes – really, whatever they want. I’ve often chuckled at the sight of very masculine boys in pink leotards and tutus – but you know what? They are having a blast. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to get glitter out of kids’ hair – you wouldn’t believe how hard it is! I far prefer when my toddler is covered head to toe in green paint, the “incredible hulk” comments notwithstanding.
The good: the kids are really, really happy and learn great social skills – the philosophy emphasizes teaching the kids to work it out themselves (with teacher guidance, of course). The center provides healthy snacks and has recently started using non-toxic cleaners in the classrooms.”
“CDC was our choice after looking at literally dozens of sites around town. Our daughter went there from under 1 yr up to pre-K and the social, emotional, and personal development she gained at CDC was phenomenal. Yes, if you show up at almost any time of day the kids might be playing in the mud, and there is often someone crying but these are kids, not soldiers, and the developmentally appropriate care the kids get is second to none. If you’re looking for baby boot camp or developmentally inappropriate (and damaging) pre-academics then look elsewhere; if you’re looking for highly sensitive caregivers in a child-centered environment that encourages developmentally appropriate social and emotional growth then this is the place for you. The long wait list really says it all; this is one of the two or three premium child care centers in town so think ahead if you’re seriously interested.”
“My daughter went here for almost a year. If they went up to older than five, she would still be there! This might not be the place for neat freaks, but this was the place for our family. I picked her up every day, and when I got there, she was HAPPY. She was usually filthy from hair to toe with glitter, paint and sometimes mud it it was raining out there. The best memory that I have of that place was the day I picked her up when she passed out in one of the teachers laps with another friend of hers, covered in mud from “playing in the warm rain”. Last summer was a wet one and the kids were making the most out of it. Every morning I saw several parents hanging out playing with all of the kids, tons of smiles and VERY involved teachers. The same people were there every morning. The same people were there in the afternoon. THE SAME PEOPLE!!! Consistency in that. Also a great thing. One guy had dreads, another has alot of tattoos, another has great glasses and sideburns, a lady has a great haircut, these people are not your average daycare employees. They are there because they want to. The family is required to do hours of volunteer time so the daycare and families are close and involved. To say in a sentence how i feel about this place couldn’t be done. I do hair in central Austin and I refer everyone I meet that has kids to this place. WE LOVED IT!!!”