NEW TO AUSTIN
Austin added 150,000 residents between 2020 and 2025. If you just got here, you don't have a neighbor to ask which daycare is actually good, which waitlists are real, or what the HHSC inspection records say. Here's what local parents already know—and Shortlist has already scored and reviewed Austin providers.
Austin is live.
We've scored and reviewed Austin providers. Drop your email and we'll send you the free starter guide.
Pricing reality
Infant care in Austin runs $1,000–$2,200/month. Central Austin (Zilker, Travis Heights) trends higher. SE Austin and suburbs are 20–30% lower for equivalent quality.
The childcare desert
Southeast Austin—including Easton Park, Goodnight Ranch, and Del Valle—is a designated childcare desert. More children than licensed slots. New facilities are opening but demand far exceeds supply.
Waitlist truth
Central Austin infant waitlists run 3–9 months. SE Austin has fewer options but home daycares can be faster. Start searching immediately, especially for infant care.
Texas Rising Star
Texas doesn't have a mandatory quality rating. Texas Rising Star (TRS) is voluntary—2 to 4 stars. A 4-star rating is the gold standard, but many excellent programs don't participate. It's a strong positive signal, not a negative when absent.
Bilingual advantage
Austin's large bilingual community supports excellent Spanish immersion programs. Multiple centers offer bilingual care from infancy—a distinctive strength compared to most US metros.
The application trap
Many Austin programs charge $50–$200 application fees. Applying to 8–10 programs (common for infant care) adds up fast. Research first, apply selectively.
Free Tools
Start your search with these—no account needed.
New
Answer 4 questions and find out which type of childcare fits your family best. 2 minutes.
Calculator
Two programs charging the same tuition can cost wildly different amounts per hour of actual care.
Most Popular
Enter your home and work addresses. See which neighborhoods make sense for your search.
Reference
Most families spend $1,000+ on application fees alone. A research-first approach cuts that to $300.
Checklist
20 questions to ask at every tour so you actually compare programs instead of just vibing.
Decision Guide
The real cost comparison, flexibility trade-offs, and developmental differences.
Send them this page—it's the cheat sheet they don't know they need.
We've researched and scored Austin providers. Browse editorial reviews, HHSC inspections, and Texas Rising Star ratings.
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