About Us

Mainspring provides high quality childcare with love.

We are an early childhood, family-centered community where children enjoy learning and become self-assured and socially competent in order to excel in school and in life. Visit the Programs page for more specific information on our program.

Mainspring recognizes that teachers and staff are our greatest resource. The developmental needs of children, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically, vary tremendously. Professional development in both child development and curriculum development, as well as behavior management, professional communication and team building are all part of what makes Mainspring teacher and staff exceptional.

Mainspring's vision:   Successful Children · Successful Families · Successful Communities

Mainspring History

1941 – Chalmers Nursery School – Works Progress Administration project sponsored by the Austin branch of the American Association of University Women and the City of Austin. The first “war nursery” located in a federal housing development serving 25 children, ages 2-7. 

1944 – Chalmers name was changed to Austin Community Nursery Schools (ACNS). Funded by Community Chest, now United Way, starting in 1944.

1948 – Federal funds ended and the agency was chartered as a nonprofit agency.

1954 – ACNS became one of the first eleven United Fund agencies in the Austin area and moved from Chalmers Court to Meadowbrook Homes Project with 44 children.

1968 – School moved to present site constructed by the Austin Housing Authority.

1973 – The first contract with the Texas Department of Human Services became effective.

1992 – ACNS was chosen as one eleven Comprehensive Early Childhood Development Projects in Texas.

2004 – Branding campaign resulted in a name change to Mainspring Schools.

2010 – The school continues to maintain its accreditation standards (NAEYC) which are met by only 8% of childcare centers in the US.