Comments on: School and Kid News

By: MOM

MOM — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Hello….I am a mother of two, a former resident of Steiner for 7 years. I am also a Preschool Teacher. I taught at THE CHILDREN’S COURTYARD AT RIVERPLACE. What a horrible place this is. I taught there for over a year. What i saw was sad and pathetic. The director is all to blame. She is just plain cruel. She will combine children of all ages and put them in a room together. You won’t even know that your 2 year old was with 5 year olds for half the day. At then end of the day your precious little preschooler will be lumped with the school age children. Hearing all kinds of conversations that they should not hear yet. There is never enough food. The portions are so small the poor kiddos are starving. The menu and what is served is never the same. Afternoon snack might not come till almost 3:30. When it finally does come. Your child will not get enough. As a mother (my kids are older-and not in daycare) I could not bare it any longer. I am at a wonderful palce now. My regret is that I didn’t leave sooner. Don’t make the mistake of sending your child here.

By: No Care

No Care — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:00:43 +0000

we LOVE the Children’s Center in the front of the neighborhood. The teachers are great and the kids learn a LOT in a caring environment.

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:33:23 +0000

It’s been a year since the last reply on the subject of preschools, so any new info on pre-K programs in the area is appreciated! I’m moving to Texas soon (Steiner Ranch in Austin) and have preschool and pre-K age kids… I need something full time, five days a week, has a solid curriculum and daily schedule (not just a day of full open play and TV!) and of course, courteous teachers that really care about the kids and push them to their fullest potential.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:43:17 +0000

When our kids were potty training at school in the hills we were told to send them with pants with an elastic waist and it worked out fine. We have had no issues at all and have been going since the day it opened.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:47:20 +0000

My family and I just moved to Austin from Santa Monica in January and we had our two year old son enrolled in the School in the Hills. I must say, at first I thought that the uniforms they wear were really cute. Very prep school like. But, since we were working on potty training, I knew it would be a challenge. But, every single day for a week I picked up my son from school and he was soaked in urine. Since Montessori is focused on the children ‘learning how to learn’ the teachers wouldnt help him unbuckle his pants so he would urinate and no one would help him. I took him to the childrens center of austin. I heard that they are much more kid friendly and teacher taught curriculum. The children are supposed to have fun while they are at school and ever since I have had my son at ccoa for 6 months, he is a new child! I could go on and on about ccoa but, from their friemdly front lobby staff, teachers, even their cook Magda is a breath of fresh air. I recommend them to anyone who wants their children to learn AND have fun at school.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:19:21 +0000

I am very happy with the childrens center! For the past year, my son has been with the same teacher, Ms. Nicole, since he enrolled. I had the pleasure of touring and meeting Ms. Stacy and she made my son and myself feel so welcome and comfortable. I felt like I knew her for years We stopped in every classroom, met every teacher, and I have had no problems or complaints thus far. The Pre-k curriculum is very detailed and follows TEKS. My son learned how to write his name within a few weeks of attending. I am due with my second child in December and already have her enrolled at ccoa.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:15:20 +0000

Looking back at this thread, I see that Merlyn was mentioned a year ago, she’s still there and still awesome and I just found out that Miss Lanette will be moving up a year so my kids will have them for another year. We’re thrilled. Great point, Mary. You can’t go on reputation. Visit the school and you will see a LOT of happy kids!

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:57:49 +0000

Regarding cheryls complaints about The Chidlren’s Center of Austin I have had two children attend. One is still there. For the past three years, we have had nothing but great experiences with the teachers and program. Ms. Carrie and Ms. Stacey do a wonderful job. All schools may have accidents from time to time, that is only normal. It is how they handle them that is whats important. A child fell in my child’s classroom and hurt is eye, the school handled it perfectly. All parents knew about it. I say if you really what to evaluate where to send your child, you need to go and visit. a blog like this can be filled with anything , true or not. Also, people generally are angry when they sit down to blog. You should try CCOA. It has my vote!

By: anon

anon — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:40:23 +0000

Cheryl – I do NOT work there and my kids have had the same teacher for the more than a year (because their b-days are mid school year). Miss Lanette is awesome and I know LOTS of parents whose kids love it there and their parents do to. My guess is that Cheryl is an employee of the “School” in the Hills.

By: mom

mom — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:51:09 +0000

You can search the Tx department of family and public services site to see license information including defiencies. CCOA did have several high incidents back in June 2010.

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp