Welcome to Early Childhood at Headwaters!

Thank you for your interest in Headwaters School. We’re thrilled to introduce you to our Early Childhood Program, which includes our Young Children’s Community (YCC) for students from 18 months to 3 years , and or Primary program for students 3 to 5 years.
At Headwaters, our Early Childhood program is grounded in the Montessori philosophy, providing a peaceful, nurturing environment where children develop independence, social-emotional skills, and a lifelong love of learning.
Housed at our Springs Campus in South Austin, our Early Childhood classrooms are intentionally prepared spaces that meet young children where they are developmentally—empowering them to explore, create, and grow with confidence.

2026 – 2027 Admissions Process Steps

Young Children’s Community (YCC) Admissions Process Steps

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  • Parent Campus Visit (Campus Tour OR Open House)

    Parent(s) must attend a campus visit – campus tour OR open house. Tours will begin in September 2025.

  • Submit an Application

    Submit application in The Nest.

  • Decision Time!

    The admissions committee will render an admissions decision during one of three admissions cycles:
    • YCC Early Decision: October 15, 2025 - December 15, 2025
    • YCC Standard Decision: December 16, 2025 - February 28, 2026
    • YCC Extended Review: Beginning March 1, 2026

Primary Admissions Process Steps

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Enrollment Timeline & Upcoming Events

We’ll share important dates here. You can even export to this calendar by following these steps.

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  • Sep
    23

    Early Childhood Parent-to-Parent Q&A (Virtual)

    Google Meet
  • Oct
    15

    YCC Early Decision Offer Window

  • Oct
    16

    From Montessori to MYP: Launching Lifelong Learners (Virtual Event)

    Virtual Event
View All Events

What Is the Nest?

The Nest is our internal school portal that serves as your one-stop hub for all things Headwaters. It brings together admissions, assignments, grades, attendance, schedules, and school communications. It also supports tuition, billing, and contract signing.

After inquiring, you will receive information about how to set up an account in The Nest. Setting up this account will allow you to view your child's individual checklist steps. We recommend bookmarking the login page.

Helpful Links

Check out these links for some frequently asked questions:

Hear from Early Childhood Parents

Earlier this year we hosted conversations for each of our programs that connected current parents with prospective parents. Watch below!

Discover What Sets Early Childhood at Headwaters Apart

Early Childhood Parent

We visited several Montessori schools, but when we walked into Headwaters, we just knew — this was it. It immediately felt like our community, like home. We started in YCC when our daughter was just 18 months old, and we’ve never looked back.

Ready to Schedule Your Tour?

Scheduling a campus tour is easy through your admissions portal. Here’s how:
  1. Go to The Nest
  2. Log In or Create an Account
    • If you’ve already started an application or inquiry, use your existing login.
    • Check your email for instructions
  3. Select “Visit & Events”
    Once logged in, choose Visit & Events from the menu.
  4. Pick Your Tour Date
    Browse the calendar of available tour times and select the option that works best for your family.
  5. Confirm & Submit
    You’ll receive an email confirmation with all the details, including parking and arrival instructions.
  • If you don’t see a tour date that works for you, email our admissions team at admissions@headwaters.org
  • Tours are designed for parents/guardians only
  • Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can start on time
Phone: 512-623-5406
Email: admissions@headwaters.org

Mailing Address:
Attn: Admissions Office
801 Rio Grande St.
Austin, Texas 78701

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Welcome to Headwaters School! We're so glad you are here!

Springs Campus

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Creek Campus

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River Campus

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As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local law in its admissions, financial aid, hiring, or board membership processes.