The Atelier™

Our art and design studio gives children ages 3 and up the space, materials and guidance to discover their creativity, solve problems and work together.

Child creating leaf craft project outdoors using glue and leaves
Age
3 and up
Focus
Art, design & architecture
Spaces
Art gallery & architecture studio
Platinum Learning for Life™
27 Years voted Best Childcare, Austin Family Magazine
Young girl painting with watercolors in a classroom setting wearing a pink dress focused on her artwork

Where every child’s creativity can grow

The Atelier™ is a Stepping Stone School concept that goes beyond simply providing art supplies. Guided by an experienced arts educator, children study great artists, architects and role models, then create original work of their own, building confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills along the way.

45+
Years caring for Austin families
20
Campuses across Central Texas

What children gain in the Atelier

Art and design give children new ways to think, express themselves and connect with others.

Creativity

Open-ended materials invite children to explore their own ideas instead of copying a single answer.

Problem solving

Designing and building teaches children to plan, test and try again.

Collaboration

Shared projects help children listen, compromise and build on each other’s ideas.

Character

Monthly role models bring kindness, perseverance and other traits to life.

Inside the Atelier

Three studios, one creative journey

Children painting with watercolors on paper in a classroom art activity
Character Role Models

Each month, children meet a historic figure who models that month’s Kindness and Empathy trait.

Child practicing writing skills with sand tray at a Montessori school
Creative Art Gallery

Children study influential artists, then create original pieces in that artist’s style, surrounded by a library and cozy reading nooks.

Children engaging in pasta threading activity at a classroom table
Architecture Studio

Open-ended building materials let children study famous structures, then design and build their own.

Child surprised and painting with green finger paint at a table in a colorful playroom
Expert Guidance

An experienced arts educator leads the Atelier and guides each child’s work.

How a project unfolds

From inspiration to creation

Every infant follows their own All-About-Me schedule, updated monthly with you, so naps and feedings follow your baby, not the clock.

Intro
Every Atelier project follows a natural creative process that children can carry into any challenge.
Meet the Role Model
Learn about a historic figure and this month’s character trait
Discover the Artist
Explore an artist’s work and what made it special
Talk It Through
Share what they notice, wonder and want to try
Explore Materials
Experiment with the materials the artist used
Create
Make an original piece inspired by the artist’s style
Design & Build
Sketch, plan and build in the Architecture Studio
Share
Talk about their work with friends and teachers
Curriculum

Creativity is built into Platinum Learning for Life™

The Atelier™ connects art and design to everything children learn, from character to math to literacy.

Art history
Children learn about artists who changed the direction of art.
Architecture & design
Famous architects, designers and inventors inspire hands-on building.
Kindness & Empathy
Monthly role models connect to our character development curriculum.
Literacy
A dedicated library and reading space make books part of the creative process.
Child painting with watercolors at a table in a classroom setting

Atelier program questions