Smart Start

WHEN CHRISTY BLACK stepped into her role as the director of the Dallas Primrose School in 2007, she had no idea of the journey with Primrose that lay ahead. With an unwavering passion for early childhood education, she set her sights on something bigger: bringing high-quality childcare to more families.

In 2014, that vision became reality when she became a Primrose franchise owner in Austin. Mueller became the fourth Austin location under her leadership, marking a significant milestone in the growth of her schools.

When Primrose Mueller first opened its doors, it was designed to accommodate 130 children. However, the demand for exceptional early education in the vibrant Mueller/Aldrich Street community quickly exceeded expectations.

OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANSION

Recognizing this need, Black sought ways to expand, ensuring more families could benefit from the nurturing, high-quality environment that Primrose provides. An opportunity came through a valued partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance (TMI), a collaboration that has played a crucial role in the school’s expansion and success.

The relationship between Primrose and Texas Mutual began when the school was first established in the TMI building. From the outset, Texas Mutual demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting quality childcare for its employees and the surrounding community.

As Primrose Mueller’s enrollment grew, Black initially reached out to Texas Mutual to explore expansion possibilities, but at the time, no additional space was available. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Mutual approached Primrose with an incredible opportunity—not only offering additional space but also extending a generous discount.

In return, Primrose committed to providing subsidized care for children in the Texas Rising Star program. This partnership has been instrumental in the school’s ability to expand and continue offering high- quality childcare to a diverse range of families.

ADDING NEW FEATURES

With the expansion, Primrose Mueller transformed significantly. The school’s capacity more than doubled, growing from 130 children to 280. This increase allowed Primrose to serve even more families and provide additional resources to enhance the overall experience.

The expansion brought exciting new features, including a larger outdoor playground and the addition of an indoor playground, ensuring children could engage in active play regardless of weather conditions.

Additionally, the introduction of the Zono sanitization system elevated hygiene standards, providing an advanced level of cleanliness for toys and classroom materials. These enhancements have created a healthier, more engaging environment for students and staff alike.

Jeanette Ward, CEO of Texas Mutual, values the relationship with Primrose and recognizes that together they created a tremendous asset for the community.

“Access to high-quality early childhood education is a fundamental right that all families should have available within reach,” Ward says. “Children in Austin should enter school with the foundational knowledge and skills to be curious, confident and successful learners. Our hope at Texas Mutual is to make this possible, one family at a time, through partnerships like this one with Primrose School of Austin at Mueller.”

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Primrose Schools’ Balanced Learning approach has been the cornerstone of its educational philosophy. This method blends purposeful play with teacher-guided instruction, fostering curiosity, confidence and a love of learning.

The curriculum emphasizes whole-child development, incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) learning, language and literacy, while also nurturing social-emotional skills, character development and physical wellness. Strong teacher-student relationships, combined with engaged family partnerships, create a supportive learning environment where every child can thrive.

Throughout this growth, one of the most surprising and rewarding aspects has been the overwhelming support from the Mueller community.

“From the start, we knew this was a great fit, but we’ve been truly amazed by how much the community values and uplifts local businesses,” says Black. “Community enthusiasm and trust have made our rapid and consistent enrollment growth even more rewarding. It’s been inspiring to see how deeply families invest in creating a strong, connected neighborhood, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.”

Mueller was chosen as a location because of strong demand for high-quality childcare in the area, and the decision has proven to be a perfect fit. The partnership with Texas Mutual provided a unique opportunity to offer on-site childcare while remaining accessible to the broader community. Additionally, the school’s proximity to Dell Children’s Hospital has been a significant benefit for parents working in health care, offering them a convenient and trusted option for their children’s early education.

A STRONG PILLAR

Looking ahead, Primrose Mueller remains focused on maintaining its commitment to high-quality childcare and education. The team continuously strives to ensure every child experiences a nurturing and engaging environment that sets the foundation for lifelong learning.

The school aims to become a lasting pillar in the Mueller community, evolving alongside families’ needs while upholding the highest standards in early childhood education. By fostering long-term relationships and consistently improving the learning experience, Primrose hopes to leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

The expansion of Primrose Mueller is not just about increasing capacity—it is about reinforcing a commitment to the community, ensuring that every child has access to the best possible start in life. Through thoughtful partnerships, innovative learning approaches and unwavering dedication, Primrose Mueller continues to make a difference, one child at a time.