INNOVATIVE LEARNING

We are among the 8% of centers in the US accredited by NAEYC, the nation's most rigorous early childhood accrediting body. Our method is based on three main beliefs: low child-to-teacher ratios, child-directed learning, and a focus on instilling strong executive function skills.

We also love bringing in a variety of experiences for our children including art, dance and music classes!

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH

We have a full time kitchen staff that creates menus and meals according to USDA guidelines and nutrition standards. Additionally, we order much of our produce from local farms and have small gardens on every playground so the children can see where food really comes from! Playground time is sacred at our school as well, because we feel that physical development and an appreciation for nature is incredibly important these days when so many of our children are more and more becoming attached to screens!

Mainspring has been and will continue to be on the forefront of the movement to increase the amount of social and emotional skills learning in early childhood education. So many of our children come from difficult backgrounds and trauma, that we feel it is of paramount importance to create a safe, consistent and loving environment. We also use methods and curricula from Conscious Discipline and the Trust-Based Relational Intervention program out of TCU.

FAMILY-CENTERED ENGAGEMENT

Mainspring offers parent education seminars on topics like nutrition, discipline and helping children succeed in school, as well as parenting support group and available counseling.

DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION

Our families come from all over Austin and represent different backgrounds, ethnicities and socio-economic levels (75% of our students receive tuition subsidies). We believe this diversity is crucial to developing self-aware, well-rounded children.