North Oaks Country Child Development Center, Austin

The two mothers who founded North Oaks Country Child Development Center were unable to find a daycare center that felt like a home for their children, so they put their heads together and created one themselves. With a focus on positive reinforcement and praise, their staff helps establish the building blocks for kindergarten and beyond—including lessons that touch on math, science, and art. Whatever the lesson, instructors aim to help kids build the self-assurance and confidence that will allow them to excel in elementary school.