CareCompass
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About My Friends House
My Friend's House at Village Center
Operating since 1986 as a ministry of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, My Friend’s House provides a nurturing, faith-integrated environment focused on developmental milestones. The program utilizes the Creative Resources curriculum, facilitating sensory-based learning across specialized facilities including a gymnasium, a dedicated chapel, and an on-site nature area. Security is a cornerstone of the program, featuring Brivo Pass access control and computerized student tracking. The center serves a wide range of ages, offering full-time care for infants through preschoolers and a robust after-school program with van transportation from local elementary schools. Meals and snacks are prepared on-site following federal CACFP nutritional guidelines to ensure healthy development in a supportive community setting. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified, and lead teachers exceed state standards with 30 hours of annual continuing education training.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
As a former pediatric ICU nurse turned NP, I am very cautious about who watches my children. Safety is incredibly important to me because I have seen many of the worst case scenarios. Finding the right childcare was a challenge, especially during the pandemic. I immediately felt welcomed and comfortable at My Friend’s House. We sent our two children to MFH from toddlerhood on and I cannot begin to express my gratitude. All of the staff is so kind and loving, which in return has helped my kids develop into kind and loving little humans. The teachers all go above and beyond to educate and keep the kids engaged, with ample outdoor time and some academics. The kids get to grow their imaginations in a supervised and nurturing environment. As an added bonus, meals are included in tuition. There are a lot of fun events like Friday dance parties, a holiday performance, and Parents Night Out. I highly recommend MFH to anyone looking for a warm and nurturing, yet fun environment for their kids. It truly is a special place.
I do not know if I will ever be able to express the gratitude my family has for MFH. The care my daughter received here was beyond exceptional. We unfortunately had to move out of state and leaving this daycare and our little family here has been one of the things we miss the most. All of her teachers throughout each stage have shown her the most love and care. All of the staff know her by name and she obviously knows them too as she always runs to give them hugs. The director, Elvir, is the most amazing human who expresses compassion and empathy for any concerns you may bring. We loved every minute here and wish MFH all the best as we depart from Austin.
Updating my review 2.5 years later as our love for MFH has only grown :) We now have two children at MFH and have nothing but great things to say. We love all our kids' teachers (some of whom have been there for a LONG time!). MFH is a truly unique place and they care deeply about maintaining a warm, nurturing environment for the kids. Older MFH students also benefit from the close affiliation with NW Hills United Methodist (getting to attend weekly chapel, VBS, etc.), which has been wonderful. Very thankful for this place! _______ Our daughter gets so excited every morning when we pull in the parking lot. The teachers and administrators are amazing. They do so many fun activities with the kids and I'm always amazed at the new words she learns on a daily basis. Love getting to see pictures and updates throughout the day. So thankful to have gotten a spot at MFH!
We’ve loved our time at MFH. Such kind teachers and administration, great experience with all other parents, great communication from the school, great response to COVID. Our daughter is always so excited to go, and I love having a place that feels like a safe second home to her.
We live in Central Austin and have been sending our children to My Friend's House since they were babies. They've responded exceptionally well to the COVID19 situation and have been handling it incredibly well. Organized, efficient, and with a sense of community. We cannot say enough great things about this daycare. It's a tight-knit group of kids, and you feel the warm, nurturing, and supportive environment the moment you walk in. Our oldest is very outgoing, happy-go-lucky and well-rounded thanks in large part to the staff and upbringing she has experienced at My Friend's House. The classroom sizes are small enough where the teachers get to know the kids well and do a great job keeping an eye on them. There are activities each month, age-appropriate curriculum to help support them and the hours are great. The school is part of the campus of the church, and it is a very welcoming environment for everyone of all faiths and beliefs. A warm, welcoming environment. They also offer extra-curricular activities that should start back up once things settle with COVID. If you have any questions about whether you'd like to send your children to My Friend's House, I would be happy to speak more about it. Feel free to reach out to me and I can share more
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No safety concerns found. No specific news articles regarding incidents, closures, or legal issues were found for this facility. State licensing records indicate the center maintains a full permit with a capacity for 170 children.
Parent Reputation
Overall reputation appears stable as a long-standing non-profit ministry of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, though public review data is limited. As of 2020, the facility was designated a Texas Rising Star (TRS) 2-star provider, indicating participation in the state's quality improvement system. Parents on local platforms often identify it as a faith-based option providing play-based learning and after-school transportation for local elementary schools.
Staff Insights
The center is led by Director Jaclyn Valdez and falls under the supervision of the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church Director of Children's Ministries. Specific employee reviews or turnover rates from major career platforms were not found, but the facility reportedly employs approximately 30 staff members.
Quick Information
Varies by age and schedule
