Knowing my child is in a place that is as warm and supportive as our own home leaves me completely confident and proud to drop my son off each morning.  Nicole's patience is never ending and her creativity always keeping education new and challenging is astounding. The sense of community she has fostered amongst the children and parents is wonderful. I can't say enough about how grateful I am for Pint-Size Playhouse. Hands down the most nurturing environment you can hope for, for your child.
-Liz B

My husband and I agree (and we don't always agree, haaha) enrolling our one and only son into Mrs. Nicole's, Pint-Size Playhouse preschool program was the best decision we ever made! Nicole keeps us well informed about our son's day and development. She often will ask for our input and feedback. Nicole has an open communication style that's warm and approachable, she's very easy to talk to and she loves to talk! Which is a great quality in someone caring for your child all day. The preschool our son went to before Pint-Size would only talked to us if our son misbehaved or if tuition was due! We never felt welcome at the other school, but here we feel very welcome and have nothing but great things to say about Nicole and her preschool program! Best of all, our son adores her and his classmates and is learning a lot. Thanks Nicole for all you do!
-The Rios Family

We love Pint-Sized Playhouse! Miss Nicole takes such sweet care of our boy. She is a great communicator and wonderful with kids. My son loves going to school and talks about "Mecole" at home and on vacation. Highly recommended!
-Leo C

This mommy loves Pint-Size Playhouse!! Mrs. Nicole is very professional and loves her students! I definitely have peace of mind when I'm at work because I know Nicole is teaching and loving on my baby the way I wish I could! Nicole is very good at understanding parent concerns and will try to accommodate as much as she can. I highly recommend this South Austin preschool to y'all!!
-Crystal C

The Pint-Size Playhouse was recommended to me by an early educator because I was looking for a model family child care site to take pictures as examples to use when I present workshops for child care staff.  I have visited many programs as a past Training and Curriculum Specialist for the military and if my children were still at a young age- this is where I would bring them.  Nicole understands child development and has a caring heart with the children. She provides a fantastic learning environment with a large variety of materials and books for the children.  She also implements instructional strategies that enhance children's language and school readiness skills (with playful, engaging activities!)  The children get a warm nurturing home and parents can have peace of mind.
- Melissa P

Nicole's Pint Size Playhouse has been like a second home to my daughter. I had her in a traditional day care from 10 weeks to 18 months and, although that place was ok, I felt that I wanted Mia to have more individual attention. I went looking for an in-home day care and I was very lucky to find Nicole. My husband was not on board with the switch until our interview with Nicole. She was clearly enthusiastic about giving kids the highest quality care in an environment conducive to learning. Mia stayed at Pint Size Playhouse from 18 months to Kindergarten. She made many friends of all different ages. She learned from the older kids from the beginning, then she got to mentor the younger ones as she got older. She learned colors, numbers, letters, responsibility, self control, and structure. I had no doubt that she was ready for Kindergarten when that time came. We love Nicole and The Pint Size Playhouse so much that Mia is back there this summer! I would, and do, recommend this place to everyone with kids!
-Nikki J

Hold your hat this is going to be a long and detailed review, but you can thank me later when you're as happy as my family is for choosing The Pint-Size Playhouse! (Ready, set, here I go!). Let me start by saying our oldest daughter attended The Pint-Size Playhouse from the age of 2 until she started Kindergarten. She not only entered Kinder 'school ready' but also with a huge love for learning! Our oldest happened to be enrolled when Ms. Nicole was awarded Central Texas Outstanding Child Care Provider of the Year and her program was selected to appear in a short PBS-KLRU video, good-times! Currently, our 3 year old daughter attends The Pint-Size Playhouse and we are still extremely impressed with this awesome program! I especially want to stress that this 'Home Preschool' offers so much for a Licensed Home child care program. The classroom is well-organized with cute little learning centers. When you walk into it, you feel like you're in a daycare center not a 'home' daycare. I love that! My husband and I own 2 businesses and our demanding work schedules can often mean our daughter is in care 9-10 hours a day. It gives us peace of mind knowing our little one is safe, well-cared for, and learning in a structured, balanced environment. The flexible daily schedule gives her play time, learning time, and relaxing time! Our daughter's favorite is circle-time and outdoor playtime, but I appreciate that she gets to kick her shoes off and watch a little bit of TV too!  Ms. Nicole is very approachable, open minded, and easy to talk to! She communicates with me and my husband daily about our daughter's development and  that's important to us! Ms. Nicole has become a good friend of our family throughout the years! Listen, if you're looking for a 'center like' learning program with a warm nurturing 'home like' feel (and you like a small class size) then this just might be the "right" preschool for your family too! Ok, Ok, I'm done praising this place for now, but when you end up loving The Pint-Size Playhouse, I get to be the first to say..... "I told ya so!"
-Michelle S

When I was a student at Pint-Size Playhouse Preschool, Ms. Nicole made me feel safe and made learning  fun!! Ms. Nicole helped us learn a lot before heading to Kindergarten. I looked forward to going to school everyday! *Also my little brother, and cousin (with downsyndrome) attended Pint-Size Playhouse and Ms. Nicole was an amazing teacher to them as well!!
-Tessa D (former student)

Nicole was the answer we were seeking to the question of who was going to teach our daughter in a safe and supportive environment. Nicole is beyond creative, innovative, and extremely caring with her educational planning and implementing. We have seen the impact Nicole's teaching styles have had on our daughter's language skills, motor skills, and cognitive skills. She truly spends time teaching each child in their own way of learning. The Pint-Size Playhouse is not only a place of learning but it's a little school family. 
-Susanna T

Our children were in a school district run daycare from as early as they could be in a program. It was a hard decision to leave the care of that facility. We knew our next school would have to meet a lot of needs. The Pint Size Playhouse was the way to go with no question. Once we met Nicole we no longer had to interview any other programs. She met all of our needs and then some. We knew if our kids could not be at home or with family, that Nicole's Pint Sized Playhouse would be the next best thing. She is definitely all about trying to develop the whole child. Social and Emotional Learning is a high priority as well as essential life skills. The program continues to improve on a daily basis and we know that a proper foundation has been reinforced through my children attending this school, and it truly is a SCHOOL. Our children went from being rambling toddlers to young women. We cannot wait for our next child to get to experience this rich wonderful environment.
-Nate & Jenny Rosenberg

One Word......."Incredible!" When our home provider abruptly closed her doors giving us no explanation for closing, and no time to look for another daycare, my wife and I felt confused, angry, and like we were living in a nightmare. We both called and visited a handful of centers and home providers, we found that most were either full or extremely expensive. I was feeling hopeless when a co-worker, whose daughter attended The Pint-Size Playhouse urged me to call Nicole for an interview. Right off the bat, I knew Nicole's program and teaching style was going to be a perfect fit for my family. Our initial interview was thorough and full of detail, which I appreciated considering my job is Data Research. Our second visit was a 'circle-time and outdoor play' visit to see the preschool in action! My son immediately fell in love with the interactive circle time. After my wife and I observed Nicole with her students, we realized our son wasn't even getting the attention he needed from the other provider and without hesitation we accepted the available spot! We have been happy ever since and our son is truly happy now and asks to go to school even on the weekends. Our previous provider closing down was honestly a blessing in disguise. I'm also forever grateful to my co-worker for referring me to Nicole and her child care program. My only complaint is that we didn't find The Pint-Size Playhouse sooner! A hidden South Austin gem!
-Robert T

The Pint-Size Playhouse is truly the cream of the crop for childcare in Austin.  When my husband and I met with Nicole, we knew right away that we'd found the right place for our 2.5-year-old.  She may not have all the high-tech gadgetry that some of the pricier center-based daycares have, but she makes up for it in spades with her enthusiasm, expertise, and true concern for the children in her care.  We loved her hands-on, imagination-and-creativity-based approach to teaching.  She works hard to plan activities that will engage all the children, regardless of age.  As a mom of three kids age five and under, I know how hard that is!  Her home is very clean and neat, and she allows the children to feel at home when they are there.  In addition to being great with kids, Nicole is also super with parents.  She always emphasizes her reliance on good parent/provider communication, and she definitely follows through on that (you'd be surprised how hard that can be to find).  She's very organized and great with reminders, which is super helpful for this often-frazzled working mom!  I enjoyed knowing that when I was at work, my child was being cared for by a competent, mature, experienced, all-around AWESOME person. This place is just a real gem and we feel so fortunate that our family got to be a part of the Pint-Size Playhouse family.  Even though we withdrew Iris once a spot opened up at the childcare center her siblings were enrolled in, we keep in touch with Nicole and are really hopeful that circumstances allow our youngest to attend the Pint-Size Playhouse after both of our older kids are in primary school.
-Erica S.

The Pint-Size Playhouse is by far the best daycare around!  Nicole cared for both of our children until they entered kindergarten.  They were well-prepared socially and academically.  I attribute this to the consistent and well-rounded program Nicole has developed. Nicole provides the most compassionate care and our family is so lucky to have had such a wonderful experience there!
-Misha D 

Nicole puts her heart and soul into the business of caring for children. She has the energy and attentiveness necessary for small children. Her house and designated preschool areas are always clean and organized. She takes the time to really let parents know what's going on. She was so willing to work with us! Our daughter did great and had an amazing experience, she even still asks to go back to Ms. Nicole's! However, our strong-willed son didn't fare quite as well, but he still learned a lot and says he misses it there! I would definitely recommend The Pint Sized Playhouse to anyone, but I would encourage you to talk at length with Nicole about your child's temperament prior to enrollment if you know you have a very strong-willed child or one that requires a more stern approach. Like I said, my daughter did wonderfully, but it wasn't the right fit after a while for my son. I feel fortunate that Nicole was great at communicating and very honest about each child's day. That really makes a working mom feel a peace of mind. And, I feel blessed to have known her and had her influence on my children's lives forever!
-Elisabeth M

My daughter attended Pint Size Playhouse for two years and loved it! Miss Nicole balances the day with pre-math and literacy activities and fun for the kids. I always felt that my daughter was getting the love and attention I wanted her to have and she was great at communicating with all of the parents. Nicole goes above and beyond providing quality care for pre-school children.
-Lauren M

My two children LOVED Pint Sized Playhouse! Miss Nicole was so approachable and kind, she was absolutely wonderful with my children, and oftentimes with me as well. I asked her advice  on many different issues, from thumb sucking to talking back. She always made time to talk to me, and to answer my questions eagerly. She is truly a gem. She was very patient and knowledgeable with the children, and often let them come to their own conclusions, sometimes exploring different options towards a solution along the way..it was an extremely exciting time for my kids, as they were just reaching that independent age, to feel like they were in charge of their own educational explorations. My daughter LOVED the Hungry Caterpillar themed lessons!  When we found Miss Nicole at The Pint Sized Playhouse, we knew we had found our Childcare Family. We were absolutely devastated when my husband's job relocated us to another town. It has been over a year since we moved, and my kids STILL ask me about Miss  Nicole and the Pint Sized Playhouse. ( 'When are we going back there?", mostly..) We have not yet found a new Daycare Family in our new town, although we have looked; it seems that Miss Nicole has set the bar so high, she has ruined us for all other care. Jonah & Autumn love & miss you Miss Nicole!
-Chris M

Nicole, You go above and beyond as a teacher! Thank you for all the thought and care you put into teaching and caring for our daughter. We are truly thankful!

-The Hunt Family

Nicole treats all of the children with love and respect—it was such a relief to leave my son there every day knowing that he was going to have fun, learn a lot, and be safe and comfortable.

-Jenny M