The Children’s Center of Austin

My son has been at CCoA — Jester for the past ten months, since he was three months old. I remember going for a schoolwide tour prior to enrolling him and thinking, «Did they drug the kids before I got here? They are SO HAPPY.»
But my son has been just as happy, and clearly well-​cared for, during his time at CCoA. Every staff member I’ve met has been kind, caring, communicative, and genuinely interested in him and his development.
We did have a hiccup a couple of months into his stint where he would come home in other children’s clothes, but once addressed the problem was resolved fairly quickly.
I would recommend, and have recommended, CCoA — Jester to friends.

My daughter has been going to CCoA since 1,5 years now and I have no complaints. She has been in 3 different classrooms — 12 – 18 mos, 18 – 24 mos and now the 2s. Each and every teacher she has had has been very nice. Her first teacher — Miss. Jessica will obviously hold a special place in my heart … but they have all been very good! Her current teachers in the 2s class — Miss Crystal and Miss Brianna are awesome. They are super energetic, creative. have a bunch of activities planned everyday for these kids. I am happy to see that Esha is almost 90% potty trained thanks to these amazing teachers. And can’t end my review without mentioning our awesome director. Ms Ligia! She is the best care taker we could ask for. KNows all the kids by names. is so loving. and really is the best! CCoA wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for her!

We had our 12 month old son at CCOA’s Jester location from Oct 2012 to July 2013. While this is a nice facility we were very disappointed with the teacher turnover. In only 9 months we had three different teachers leave. We felt the staff was constantly shorthanded and overwhelmed. We also felt that the cost was exorbitant. We are now at a facility in Northwest Hills, paying 35% less, with teachers that have been there 10+ years. We’re much happier.

My biggest complaint is the high teacher turnover. When you are dealing with shy toddlers, getting a new teacher every month is not ideal. On the other hand, the facility is large, bright and clean. They have a large gym, and large outdoor play areas that are shaded. The biggest positive is Ms. Ligia, who had both of my girls when they were 18 months. If I could have stolen her away as my personal nanny, I would have done it in a heartbeat. She is the baby whisperer — I would say that if your child is slotted to be in her class, then it’s worth it to go just for her. She will make sure the transition away from home is as painless as possible for both you and your child. I ended up transferring my girls out after they left her class due to the constant teacher turnover. It was hard on my youngest to keep getting new people. They are both currently enrolled in a Montessori facility which is phenomenal.

My daughter attended school here for two years before we put her in a regular school. I’m not a fan of the double classrooms because they are very loud and a little crazy. However, my daughters second year there she was put in a single classroom and that made a world of difference. She really had fun and enjoyed herself. She made a lot of friends and I’m not sure she learned a ton, but she was 2 – 3 years old. You can’t expect too much at that age. Unfortunately, her teacher that i loved, ms. jessica has since left and I’m not sure what teachers are here now

Look at The Children’s Center of Austin’s compliance history from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services! Go to:
11÷16÷11 — Four employees did not have current background checks on file.
1÷10÷11 — Two employees did not have current background checks.
We had a TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE with The Children’s Center. The owner Therese Thompson is so RUDE! She called me one day after I had some concerns about a vague email that was broadcasted to all the parents from the director that the school was under «lockdown» due to a «situation» at the Lake Travis ISD. She went off on me for not knowing her name, refused to give it to me and told me to look it up! After she hung up on me, I did look her up and that’s when I found out that they were busted for not background checking staff. I was horrified! Couldn’t pull our child out fast enough!
Don’t ask any questions about your child, they frown upon parents who have an interest or concern about what their kids are doing under their watch.
Do yourself a favor, for the love of your children, please go to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website at
and see if you can get anyone with a better track record than The Children’s Center of Austin.

We took our daughter here when she was 10 months old. It was the first daycare she’d gone to and the transition was really difficult. She cried every morning and was usually crying for me when I picked her up. The teachers were always so nice and patient with us during this time. They really put me at ease. Finally, after about 1.5 months she began to transition and now, at 18 months, when I say we’re going to school she gets excited. I toured many daycares before picking CCOA. I chose it because it’s run professionally by courteous people. I never once felt my daughter was in an unsafe environment.
They recently added a service where they email you videos and photos of your child throughout the day. It’s been a great treat for us (and the grandparents) to see her playing and having a good time during the day.
Highly recommend the Jester location!

FYI this is really 4 ½ stars because no one is perfect when it comes to day care. Now if you could clone his Cajun Grandma and give her a pediatrician degree… just may be we can talk about 5 stars.
I’m reviewing The Children’s Center if Austin JESTER location. The one actually on the address listed here, not Bee Caves and Lucy runs the front desk and has been nothing but nice to me and my wife. The other reviewer obviously didn’t get past the front door as she has no facts or real details to judge the place on. She should have met with Heidi, the director at this location, who does a great job
My son has been going here for a year now and he loves it here. We are very happy with what they provide, are they perfect no. Did they deal with my very over protective wife, yes and very well. Do they love my son, I think they do.
Turn over —
In the beginning Lamb’s class — 3 of the same teachers the whole time for 6 months (1 did change right at the start).
In the Ducks class — 4 teachers (3 slots). 1 person turn over in 4 months
In the Caterpillar class — same 2 teachers for 2 months
We drop off early and the same 5 teachers are there every day. My son hugs all of the people who have watched him and it is obvious to me they truly care for him and his well being.
We’ve had a few very minor hiccups but nothing like wrong medicine or milk. They regularly have you write your name all over bottles, cups, diapers, food, blankets… You just need to communicate what you need for your child and they are more than happy to accommodate.
It’s 4 to 1 ratio which is average. Look I choked when I heard the pricing for day care but once we compared this to 5 – 6 other places was slightly on the higher side of average. Food served is good, they could use more greens but that may only be my child who would actually eat them. Staff is super friendly and all of them in the infant side seem to know my son’s name whether they have watched him or not (he is adorable).
I can tell you based on fact and a good amount of history; after looking at 6 different day care places and judging my child’s happiness — we made the right choice.

I wouldn’t allow this place to watch my dog let alone my child. «Lucy» is
unprofessional and some of the staff are rude and the place smelt poorly.

I had my child, briefly, at the Bee Caves location. It was so terrible, I actually contacted the state to request they be looked at.
I’d heard, of course, that the teacher turnover was high, even for a day care. I don’t doubt that; after my experience I imagine any teacher with any qualifications or skill must want to leave immediately.
My first moment of unease occurred when I came in late one morning and saw the administrators giving a toddler some benedryl. I assumed it was for an allergic reaction, but when I was picking up that night, I heard the teacher say to the child’s parent that the child had been giving tylenol for teething pain. Benedryl is not a teething medication. I’m very sure that it was benedryl the child was given that morning.
But what really did it was when I went to pick up my infant son one day and they told me they’d run out of the breast milk I’d provided and substituted in someone else’s formula. I was outraged. I asked why they didn’t call me and have me come and nurse him, and as they were giving me some excuse about that, I notice the assistant feeding another child what is clearly my bottle of breast milk. I confronted them about it and they said the bottles were similar and they must have switched the bottles. I could not believe it. They gave my breast milk to another baby and gave my baby some formula! I was furious. If they are that careless about something as important as what to feed a baby, I can’t imagine what else must be going on there.
DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILD THERE. If you have a child there, I’d remove them. Immediately. That is not a safe place for children.

We sent both of our children here for pre-​school. They loved it. I loved it. From the infant wing to the computer labs, the library, the gymnasium, the covered drive-​through drop-​off, the pool, the art class, the huge playground, and the great staff, it’s a great place for a kid to learn and expand their horizons.
My only complaint would be their high teacher turnover rate, but that happens often with daycares of any kind.