Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes, for 17 years, Austin Children’s Academy has been fully licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The HHSC’s Child Care Regulation (CCR) division ensures that licensed child care centers meet Texas’s health, safety, and operational standards.

ACA was one of the first Montessori schools in North Austin and has been proudly serving families from Cedar Park, Leander, and Round Rock for over 17 years, since its establishment in 2007.

We are open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, offering flexible program schedules customizable to meet families’ needs. ACA operates year-round, including a summer program to keep children engaged and learning.

We embrace the authentic Montessori philosophy, emphasizing individualized learning and independence, while fueling each child’s natural curiosity and eagerness to grow. Our Montessori Certified Guides lead each classroom, delivering a hands-on curriculum that fosters critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning. In a safe and engaging environment, we nurture the “whole child”—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Montessori Schools

Montessori education differs from traditional schools in several key ways, focusing on individualized learning, hands-on exploration, and fostering independence.

• Child-Centered Learning: Montessori focuses on individualized learning, allowing children to choose activities based on their interests and developmental needs, while traditional preschool often follows a fixed, teacher-led curriculum.
• Prepared Environment: Montessori classrooms are designed with hands-on, self-correcting materials that encourage exploration and independence. Traditional preschools typically use a mix of play-based and structured activities.
• Mixed-Age Classrooms: Montessori groups children in multi-age classrooms, promoting peer learning and collaboration, whereas traditional preschools usually group children by age.
• Focus on Life Skills: Montessori emphasizes practical life skills, such as cleaning, food preparation, and self-care, alongside academic concepts, fostering independence and responsibility. Traditional preschools may focus more on general play and socialization.
• Teacher’s Role: Montessori teachers guide and observe, supporting each child’s individual learning path, while traditional preschool teachers typically lead group activities and direct the class.

Children, like all individuals, develop and learn at their own pace. In Montessori, the self-paced approach allows each child to naturally reach milestones based on their unique developmental timeline. This approach, combined with guiding their interests, has been proven to help children learn exponentially faster. It eliminates the anxiety of having to master a skill or lesson within a specific timeframe, fostering more natural and confident progress.

Traditional Schools

Traditional schools provide a structured, teacher-led learning environment designed to help children develop and typically focus on the following:

• Teacher-Led Instruction: Teachers lead most activities and guide the class as a whole, providing direct instruction to the group.
• Follow a Fixed Curriculum: Traditional preschools typically follow a predetermined curriculum with set lessons and activities for all children.
• Set Age-Specific Classrooms: Children are grouped in one-year age increments, with activities designed to align with the developmental milestones of each specific age group.
• Encourage Play-Based Learning: Many traditional preschools integrate play-based learning with structured activities helping children develop creativity and social skills.
• Memorization Skills: Traditional preschools often incorporate activities that promote memorization skills as part of their curriculum. This includes learning letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and basic concepts through repetition, songs, flashcards, and teacher-led exercises.
• Teacher’s Role: Traditional preschool teachers often emphasizes classroom management and delivering the curriculum to the entire class, with less focus on personalized instruction tailored to individual learning needs.

Traditional preschools often follow structured curricula, which may not cater to individual needs or allow for personalized attention. They can emphasize memorization over creativity and critical thinking, and some children may feel pressure to meet milestones prematurely.

Yes, ACA adheres to Montessori principles as recognized by the American Montessori Society (AMS), demonstrating our commitment to authentic, high-quality Montessori education. Our Lead Certified Guides hold Montessori certifications alongside their collegiate degrees, combining over 75 years of experience in their roles.

We accept children from 8 weeks to 9 years old, offering programs designed for each developmental stage: Infant (8 weeks–18 months), Toddler (18 months–3 years), Primary (3–6 years), and Kindergarten. Enrollment is now open for our Elementary program (6–9 years), launching in our new expanded building in summer 2025.

Our classrooms maintain low teacher-to-child ratios to provide personalized attention and care. Each classroom has a Montessori Certified Lead Guide along with a Montessori Trained Assistant, often supported by a third teacher for transitions, one-to-one lessons and small-group learning. Our ratios exceed state requirements, with 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:10 for primary and kindergarten, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.

Enrollment at ACA begins with a tour. Families complete an application and submit a deposit to secure their child’s spot. With limited availability, we guarantee a start date upon submission of the application and deposit, eliminating the need for waitlists.

Yes, we offer flexible schedule options to accommodate different family needs. Our daily schedules include Half Day (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM), Full Day (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM), and Extended Day (7:30 AM – 6:00 PM), with the choice of 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day weekly options.

During enrollment, you can choose the 2 or 3 days that best fit your family’s needs, based on availability. Schedule changes are easy and simply require communication with our Administration Team, as outlined in the Parent Handbook provided at registration.

We bill monthly, with tuition due on the 1st of each month.

Our tuition rates vary based on the selected program and schedule. We offer nine flexible options to suit your family’s needs. Visit our Schedules & Tuition page and submit a form to receive detailed tuition plans from our Admissions Team.

Yes, we have a one-time enrollment fee that guarantees your child’s spot, covers registration processing, coordinates with your child’s pediatrician for required vaccination and health forms, facilitates the onboarding process, and provides an access card for entry into the school. The annual supply fee covers classroom supplies, Montessori materials, our parent communication app, daily snacks, and seasonal resources for special projects, holiday activities, and events. Visit our Schedules & Tuition page and submit a form to receive detailed tuition plans from our Admissions Team.

Yes, we offer a 5% sibling discount for the oldest child when multiple children from the same family are enrolled.

Yes, we currently provide healthy morning and afternoon snacks and will soon be introducing nutritious breakfast and lunch options as we are in the process of building our new kitchen.

At ACA, safety is our top priority. We have several measures in place to ensure a secure environment, including security cameras throughout the facility, locked entry doors accessible only with personalized access cards, and strict sign-in and sign-out procedures for parents and guests. Additionally, we follow comprehensive emergency protocols, conduct regular drills, and maintain trained staff certified in first aid and CPR to handle any situation effectively.

Our secure drop-off and pick-up process prioritizes your child’s safety and efficiency. Drop-off and pick-up times vary based on the selected program schedule, between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Parents and authorized guardians are provided with personalized access cards for entry into the school, and children must be signed in and out daily. Any changes to pick-up routines require clear communication with staff, as outlined in the Parent Handbook provided upon registration.

We prioritize clear and consistent communication with parents about their child’s day and progress. This includes daily announcements through our parent communication app, photos and messages directly from the classroom, and regular updates and reminders. Additionally, we schedule bi-annual parent-teacher conferences and offer monthly check-ins through our Family Connection Program. Parents are always welcome to reach out directly to Teachers or our Administration Team for any questions or concerns.

Yes, we value family involvement and offer many opportunities throughout the year, such as Watch-Me-Work Days, holiday celebrations, school recitals, and cultural festivals. We also host Parent Education Sessions to share insights into Montessori principles and child development. Through our Parent Participation Program, families can volunteer by sharing their talents, profession, culture, or even reading to their child’s class. These activities and events help build a strong partnership between home and school.