At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Joyful Journeys Montessori
Joyful Journeys Montessori in Austin
Founded in 2023 by director Desirre Petrolino, Joyful Journeys Montessori provides a nurturing environment where children aged 18 months to 6 years old can thrive. The program stands out for its deep commitment to multilingualism, incorporating Spanish and Portuguese into daily activities through songs, stories, and natural immersion techniques. This approach is designed to enhance cognitive development while fostering a lifelong appreciation for diverse cultures. Inside the facility, you will find thoughtfully prepared Montessori classrooms that encourage independent exploration and practical life skills. Children engage with specialized materials for mathematics, science, and literacy at their own pace. The program also prioritizes outdoor exploration and social-emotional growth, ensuring a holistic education that supports the development of the whole child in a warm, second-home atmosphere.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
I’m incredibly grateful for Joyful Journeys Montessori. From the very beginning, the teachers have gone above and beyond to make my son feel welcome, included, and understood — even though he is non-verbal. Their patience, kindness, and genuine care show in everything they do. I truly appreciate how they pay attention to every detail and treat each child as an individual with unique needs. When my son first started attending, he was very quiet and reserved. Now, he has blossomed — he recognizes and uses many words in both English and Spanish, and I can see how much confidence he has gained. This daycare has played such an important role in his daily life and development, and I’m so thankful for the love, support, and dedication they show every single day. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my son to learn and grow. Highly recommend!
This daycare has been such a blessing for our family. The teachers are kind, attentive, and truly passionate about what they do. They create a joyful and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and feel confident. My grandson has made great progress and always comes home smiling. The facility is clean, well-organized, and full of engaging activities. I couldn’t be happier with the care and support they provide. Highly recommended!
I am truly grateful for the wonderful care this daycare provides. The staff is warm, patient, and incredibly dedicated to the children. Every day feels safe, welcoming, and full of learning. My child is always excited to go and comes home happy, cared for, and enriched with new experiences. The communication with parents is excellent, and the entire environment feels like a second home. I highly recommend Joyful Journeys Montessori to any family looking for a loving and trustworthy place for their little ones.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 We’ve had such a wonderful experience at Joyful Journeys. The environment is incredibly warm, engaging, and genuinely caring — you can feel it from the moment they open the door to greet you. The classrooms are always clean and thoughtfully prepared, and I’ve never once worried about my child’s safety or well-being. The teachers are truly exceptional and they follow the true Montessori principles, and it shows. They are patient, deeply attentive, and clearly passionate about Montessori education. You can tell they really know each child as an individual, and the way they guide, encourage, and support the children is beyond anything we could have hoped for. My child is thriving not only academically — learning letters (in both Spanish and English!), early math concepts, and practical life skills — but also socially and emotionally. I’ve noticed huge growth in empathy, independence, and confidence in my child. We couldn’t be happier with this school and the teachers who make it so special. This tiny school holds a big place in our hearts and we are so grateful to have found it. Highly recommend to any family looking for a nurturing and enriching Montessori preschool!
Since starting at Joyful Journeys our child has thrived. Her language is exploding in both Spanish and English, she is rapidly developing her motor skills, and lots of social/emotional learning is taking place. Her teachers adjust their lesson plans as needed to meet the needs of all of the students. Most importantly, I can tell that our daughter is well loved and cared for by the teachers and staff, and this is a safe, warm environment. Communication from the school is also excellent. I highly recommend Joyful Journeys to anybody looking for a high-quality bilingual Montessori education that nurtures the whole child!
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No safety concerns, news incidents, or legal issues were found for this facility. State licensing records identify it as a Licensed Child Care Home (License #1796155) with no reported violations or complaints across news and community forums.
Parent Reputation
The facility has a highly positive reputation with 5.0-star ratings on Care.com and enthusiastic recommendations on Reddit. Parents frequently describe the environment as 'amazing,' 'warm,' and 'nurturing,' particularly praising the multicultural atmosphere and the dedication of the director, Desirre.
Staff Insights
No direct employee reviews were found on Glassdoor or Indeed. However, parent testimonials highlight that the staff are caring, attentive, and multicultural, with many educators originating from South America and being fluent in Spanish or Portuguese.





