White Bird Montessori School

I'm first to recommend White Bird Montessori to any parent, friend or family member. My oldest daughter first started in a chain daycare. After a year it became apparent that the method of teaching and caring was not what she needed. So, we made the change to White Bird which not only teaches BUT nurtures as well. The staff and director are wonderful and we couldn't be happier!

I waited a few days to write this review, as I wanted to make sure it was fair and not out of anger. Overall, I am incredibly disappointed with the way this school handled my child and our family. We started the school in June 2014 and just 10 weeks later, we were kicked out with no warning. As both my husband and I work full-time, preschool was not a new thing for us. We were happy with our previous school, but moving to South Austin meant having to relocate his care. We looked long and hard for a supplement and thought we had found it in the casual and calm environment of White Bird. The transition began and my child began exercising play methods that were not welcome in his new environment. OK, understood. We had a conference to make sure that our teaching habits mirrored one another's. OK, great! Fast forward five weeks, and I'm receiving a call at the beginning of my work day to inform me that the following day would be my child's last. I understand that persisted negative behavior must be dealt with, but coldly cancelling our care is not only unprofessional and disrespectful, but one of the most inconsiderate things to have happened to our family. Child care should be a partnership, a promise of good faith and have the intention to do the very best for every child. In this case, I feel as if White Bird washed their hands of a situation they longer wanted to deal with. If you're looking for a place for your child, please consider elsewhere. Schools full of communication, love and warmth exist, and it's where we'll be returning.

This school came to our rescue. We moved from the Uk to the USA in the middle of the semester and our 4 year old daughter had no where to go to pre-K. It was such a huge shift for our family and our little girl, but my brother's best friend suggested White Bird and we called the next day. I am so pleased we did. Our daughter has thrived in its warm embrace. All of the teachers were so nurturing and helpful to us. This school was open to our way of life, how we raise our child and very understanding of our diet choices. I cannot say enough good things about White Bird. My daughter has blossomed and has become so much more settled and accepting of the changes in her life. Her abilities to learn were nurtured in a way that was not pushy and not overwhelming. She learned to read in her own time, she learned to sing and she realized she did not want to dance. Nothing was pushed on her, and everything was offered. Ms. Karena is a true Montessori teacher as she was raised in a Montessori environment. This place is the perfect choice for those parents who want their children to be cared for loved and nurtured as they would do it themselves. I love that other parents bring in snacks and I love the fact you have to have a packed lunch. As I mentioned that we have very different eating habits, White Bird always honored that and protected our interests.

My daughter is about to start here in August & we are so excited! I will come back & review again after she's been attending, but I just wanted to express my initial feelings. I was so impressed with the "feeling" of this school. The Director, Linda, was wonderful. She was easy to talk to & laid back. I had visited other places & they were "pushy" or not very attentive. So it was nice to have a place where we were able to spend time with her teacher & the class for a good period of time, Ms. Cindy --- she invited both my daughters to have a snack with the class. Both my girls felt comfortable in the class, which was a tell-tell sign for me as well. My daughter's new teacher was very thoughtful, even though at that point we were just visitors....these small things are what made me feel this was the place for my little baby girl. UPDATE: So we have been at this school since Aug. 19th roughly & we LOVE it! The teachers are amazing --- Ms. Victoria & Ms. Brenda were my baby's teachers when she first started. They loved her up & gave her so much attention so she could adjust. Now she's moved up with the older toddlers & her new teachers, Ms. Cindy & Ms. Dolores are equally awesome! They love my baby so well. I can go to work & not be worried because I know she's well cared for. Ms. Victoria & Ms. Brenda still love on my baby even though she's not in the class, as did Ms. Cindy & Ms. Dolores. I am so blessed we found this school. It's a gem! It's South Austin's best kept secret, but I am sure soon more people will know about it & want to come --- good thing we're already in!!! And I love the Director, she's always available, helpful & makes me feel so good about calling or emailing for anything. I LOVE WBM!