




Circle C Child Development Center
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Circle C Child Development Center
Circle C Child Development Center
Established in 1994, the Circle C Child Development Center is a community-focused, non-profit preschool serving Southwest Austin. The program is distinguished by its high standards, requiring lead teachers to hold bachelor's degrees and assistant teachers to complete early childhood coursework. This commitment to professional expertise results in one of the lowest teacher turnover rates in the industry, providing children with stable and individualized educational support. The facility features large outdoor learning and play spaces where children are encouraged to explore and socialize. Utilizing a variety of specialized curricula including Handwriting Without Tears and Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, the center balances play with academic readiness. Beyond the preschool years, the center also manages licensed after-school programs across several AISD elementary schools, maintaining a 30-year legacy of community service and high-quality childcare.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
My family and I have had the absolute best experiences with CDC and the CREW. They have been kind, understanding, reliable, and very accommodating for us. My son loves his school CREW counselors and is so excited to be spending his first summer with them for camp. CDC has been outstanding ever since they first opened in 1993. I feel calm having them look after my child and know that he is safe. They are the best with caring for children with disabilities as well and I don’t know what we would do without them. I truly recommend anyone that needs childcare to sign up! They are worth any waitlist.
This place's waitlist is fake. It's that simple. I don't know how they actually decide if your kid gets to go here or not but they definitely have a million excuses if they don't want your kids at their school. I'm left only to assume my children aren't welcome because I'm a single mother using financial aid. Unfortunately they're not even kind to you if you don't understand how you could be on the waitlist for over 1.5 years and there's been no change at all. I've spoken to Mary multiple times where she scoffs at almost every question I ask, as if I'm the one that works there and how dare I not know all the answers already, it's like i'm wasting her time. Still i'm left desperate for care which has kept me from leaving this review multiple times. I don't know if the facility can be as good as it looks if the people are this rude to moms (especially those in need). Good luck out there guys, I know it's not easy to find somewhere you'll trust. I had great luck at The Children's Courtyard, they're just no longer accepting CCS. Maybe look there if you don't use financial aid.
My daughter joined CDC when she was just a baby 4 months old. She loves it I always feel so happy dropping her off because I know she is left in the best hands. Wonderful caring teachers and staff. They have outdoor learning time that gives the kids opportunities to explore and play. The most important part about CDC it give the opportunity for my daughter to socialize.
Our 2 year old son got scratched & bit badly on his face. There were 3 teachers in the classroom as per their staff. It’s the case of child negligence. Same day I picked him up, I got all of his belongings from there. Don’t feel comfortable sending my child over there anymore.
Obviously I don't remember much since I went here, but I certainly remember enjoying the experience. I DISTINCTLY remember one cool toy in the gravel pit that was like an excavator. That machine inspired my career as a gold miner, and also a side-job of burying important police evidence. Without that cool toy I would never know the joys of loading gold bearing rock into a gold dredge, or have the sweet, sweet cash from hiding Jimmy Hoffa's corpse.
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No safety concerns or major licensing violations were found in public news or available records. The facility is licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), is NAEYC-accredited, and holds a 4-star Texas Rising Star rating. Licensing inspections are conducted annually, and parents are encouraged in the handbook to review the most recent report on-site.
Parent Reputation
The center maintains a positive reputation, particularly on parent forums like Reddit, where it is recommended as a high-quality, non-corporate alternative to local chains. On Yelp, the center has a 3.6-star rating based on 14 reviews as of early 2026. Parents frequently praise the school's outdoor spaces and its long-standing history in the community.
Staff Insights
Employee reviews and reports indicate high staff retention and competitive compensation, with after-school teachers starting at $21+ per hour. The center highlights a low turnover rate and provides robust benefits including 401(k) matching, health insurance contributions, and significant paid time off (21 paid holidays).
