A Joyful Place to Grow
Pinwheel is a warm, play-based preschool and daycare in East Austin, where curious little ones from six weeks to Pre-K learn, giggle, and grow — cared for by teachers who adore them. Safe, licensed, and a whole lot of fun.
A Program for Every Age & Stage
From your tiniest newborn to your soon-to-be kindergartner, we've got a warm, joyful room ready for them.
A Bright, Happy Place to Be
Sunny classrooms, busy little hands, and plenty of room to run — come take a peek inside Pinwheel.
Where Little Ones Grow Big
Pinwheel opened its doors in 2011 with a simple belief: that the earliest years are the most important ones, and that little kids deserve a place that's as warm and joyful as it is safe and smart. We started with one sunny room and a lot of love, and we've been growing happy little humans ever since.
We're play-based and proud of it. Children here learn to read and count and share and wonder — not by sitting still at desks, but by building, painting, singing, digging, and exploring alongside teachers who genuinely delight in them. We keep our ratios low, our classrooms bright, our meals healthy, and our doors open to parents anytime. Twelve hundred families later, we're honored to be the place East Austin trusts with its most precious people. We'd love to show you around.
- ✓Play-based, child-led learning since 2011
- ✓Low ratios & small, cozy class sizes
- ✓Healthy meals & snacks included
- ✓Open-door policy for parents, anytime
From First Visit to First Day
Enrolling at Pinwheel is warm and easy — here's how it works.
Book a Tour
Come see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and feel the vibe. Bring your little one along — we love to see how they explore.
Enroll With Ease
Found your fit? We'll walk you through enrollment, paperwork, and a gentle transition plan, and answer every last question.
Watch Them Thrive
Settle in with daily updates, photos, and an open door. Then enjoy the best part: watching your child blossom, week by week.
Learning Through Play, Every Day
Ask a four-year-old to sit still and memorize flashcards and you'll lose them in about a minute. Hand them blocks, paint, a magnifying glass, and a friend, and you'll watch them learn more than any worksheet could teach. That's the heart of what we do.
At Pinwheel, play isn't a break from learning — it is the learning. Stacking blocks builds early math and engineering. Dress-up and story time grow language and empathy. Digging in the garden sparks science and wonder. Our teachers are skilled at turning everyday play into rich, joyful development, gently guiding without ever taking over. The result is kids who don't just know things, but who love to learn, solve problems, and bounce back — the skills that actually carry them through school and life.
- ✓Play is the curriculum, not a break from it
- ✓Curiosity, confidence & problem-solving first
- ✓Gentle teacher guidance, never pressure
- ✓Kids who genuinely love to learn
Austin Parents Love Pinwheel
Leaving our six-month-old in someone else's care was the hardest thing we'd ever done, and Pinwheel made it not just bearable but genuinely wonderful. The infant teachers are so warm and attentive, we get photo updates throughout the day, and our daughter lights up the second we walk in. We feel completely at peace dropping her off, which is worth absolutely everything. We can't recommend them enough.
Our son has blossomed at Pinwheel. He started as a shy two-year-old and he's now a chatty, curious little person who comes home singing songs and telling us about the bugs they found outside. The play-based approach is exactly what we wanted — he's learning so much without it ever feeling like school. The teachers clearly adore the kids. It's a magical little place.
We toured five places before choosing Pinwheel and it wasn't close. From the moment we walked in, it felt warm, safe, and joyful — bright classrooms, happy kids, and teachers who knew every child by name. Our daughter went into kindergarten more than ready, confident and excited to learn. They don't just babysit; they genuinely help little people grow into themselves. Worth every penny.
Both of our kids have come through Pinwheel and now our youngest does after-school care here too. Five years in, the consistency and care have never wavered. The staff feel like extended family, the communication is fantastic, and our kids genuinely love going. As working parents, having a place we trust this completely has been the single biggest relief in our lives. Thank you, Pinwheel.
Come See Pinwheel for Yourself
The best way to feel the Pinwheel difference is to walk through our doors. Book a tour, bring your little one, and let's find their happy place together.
Questions From Parents, Answered
What ages do you care for?
We welcome children from six weeks old all the way through Pre-K (around age five), plus before- and after-school care for school-age kids and a summer camp. Each age has its own dedicated room, teachers, and developmentally-tuned program, so whether you have a tiny newborn or a soon-to-be kindergartner, there's a warm, just-right space waiting for them at Pinwheel.
How much does tuition cost?
Tuition depends on your child's age and whether you need full-time or part-time care — younger rooms with lower ratios cost a bit more than older ones. We're happy to share our current rate sheet during a tour, and we keep our pricing fair and transparent with no surprise fees. Meals, snacks, and most activities are included, so the number we quote is the number you pay.
What are your hours?
We're open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, which covers most working-parent schedules with room to spare on either end. We're closed on major holidays, and we give plenty of advance notice for any closures or special days. If your schedule is unusual, talk to us during your tour — we'll do our best to find something that works for your family.
How do you keep my child safe?
Safety is the foundation of everything. We have secure keypad entry, a strict sign-in and sign-out system, background-checked and reference-verified staff, and CPR- and first-aid-certified teachers in every room. We maintain low child-to-teacher ratios, follow rigorous health and cleaning protocols, and keep an open-door policy so you're always welcome to visit. Licensing and accreditation hold us to high standards, and we hold ourselves to higher ones.
What is your curriculum like?
We're play-based, which means children learn through hands-on exploration, art, music, movement, stories, and lots of guided play rather than rote drills. Our program intentionally builds early literacy, numbers, social-emotional skills, and curiosity, and it scales up with each age so your child is genuinely kindergarten-ready by the time they leave us. We're happy to walk you through exactly what a day looks like in your child's room.
Do you have a waitlist, and how do I enroll?
Some rooms, especially our infant room, do fill up, so we recommend touring and getting on our list as early as you can — many families reach out while still expecting. Enrollment is simple: tour the school, choose your program, complete a bit of paperwork, and we'll set up a gentle transition plan. Reach out any time and we'll tell you honestly what's available and walk you through the next steps.
Let's Find Their Happy Place
Tell us a little about your little one and what you're looking for, and we'll reach out to set up a tour. We can't wait to meet your family.