ABOUT INIC Preschool
INIC Preschool (International Immersion Center) opened in south Austin, in 2012. The Round Rock campus opened in 2022.
All classes and activities are 100% Spanish immersion (plus twice-weekly Mandarin Chinese).
Surprising benefits of being bilingual (incl. babies) - click here to learn about the magic.
MISSION
Serving ages 0-5, INIC Preschool & Daycare’s mission is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where little scholars can thrive and grow. We are dedicated to fostering the holistic development of each child, from infancy through preschool and pre-kindergarten, by promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Through curriculum, play, engaging activities, and supportive relationships, we strive to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in every child.
Our highly trained and passionate team of educators and caregivers plays a pivotal role in realizing this mission. With expertise in early childhood development and a genuine commitment to each child's well-being, our teachers create enriching learning experiences tailored to meet the unique needs of every child. They serve as guides, nurturing a sense of belonging and fostering positive relationships.
At INIC, we recognize the invaluable contributions of our teachers in shaping the future generation. Through continuous professional development, collaboration, and dedication to best practices in early childhood education, our teachers uphold the highest standards of excellence and ensure that every child receives the support and encouragement they need to thrive and realize their full potential.
VISION
At INIC Preschool, children are encouraged to explore, discover, and learn in a nurturing and inclusive environment. We envision a preschool that fosters a love of learning and celebrates cultural diversity. Through our Spanish immersion program and innovative curriculum, we aim to empower young minds to become curious, compassionate, and confident global citizens. INIC Preschool is committed to nurturing the whole child, providing a foundation for success, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our dedicated team of educators is passionate about creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for every child. Through INIC’s dynamic curriculum and ongoing staff training, our teachers inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, and ignite a lifelong love of learning in every little scholar.
THEN & NOW
In 2012, the vision was to open the best preschool to Central Texas. Every class would be in Spanish, the curriculum would be world-class (including for infants), working parents would log in to see their child during the day, and teachers would be energized with a sense of joy and purpose. Parents would be proud to say INIC (International Immersion Center) is their preschhol.
The vision became reality, and then some. INIC now also has a best-in-class parent-teacher communication tool in Brightwheel, expansive teacher benefits, and a culture of continuous quality improvement, largely fueled by parent feedback and teacher recommendations.
INIC’s original preschool was located at 5621 Emerald Forest Drive in south Austin (now home to Leroy & Lewis BBQ).
FOUNDERS
INIC Preschool is owned and operated by a team of wives-husbands-owners: Maria and Nik Ciccone, and Katie and Daniel Cuevas. Daniel, a former dentist and businessman from Mexico, came up with a plan to open a preschool in south Austin in 2012. He soon met Marytere Ciccone, also from Mexico, who is an early childhood development expert with more than 30 years of experience. Marytere has a master's degree in family psychology and an undergraduate degree in education, and has consulted more than 1,000 families on childhood cognitive development. She also helped to pioneer INIC’s curriculum. After meeting, Daniel and Marytere agreed to team up and open the best preschool to Central Texas.
Daniel’s wife, Katie, joined the team in 2019 and leads human resources. Marytere’s husband, Nik, joined the team in 2012 to lead marketing and development.
Nik & Maria Ciccone, Katie & Daniel Cuevas
Academic Excellence
When your child graduates from INIC, she/he will meet and exceed the expectations of their elementary school teacher.
At INIC, your child will achieve escalating developmental milestones for motor skills, language, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning.
Spanish Immersion & Mandarin Chinese
Evidence shows that learning multiple languages supercharges the brains of very young learners, from infants up to pre-kinder. Results include higher math, reading, emotional, and analytical skills.
It’s been widely documented that being bilingual deeply stimulates several regions of the brain, impacting many aspects of a child’s education. It’s not just about speaking a different language.
High-Tech For Parents
Trust, transparency and joy. Every INIC classroom is equipped with a secure livestreaming, high-definition, full color video camera and a real-time reporting app so parents and grandparents can log in and see their children from a smartphone or computer.
These digital tools give us an extra layer of accountability while giving parents an extra level of security.
Germ-Safe Environment
We are obsessed with cleanliness. Germs and illnesses can spread quickly in a preschool, which is why we partner with Dis.in.fx to disinfect classrooms with a water-based, non-toxic, antimicrobial treatment. The DIS.IN.FX® Treatment Process proven to kill 99.99% of harmful microbes and inhibit microbial growth reducing cross contamination.
celebrating cultures
From twice-weekly Mandarin Chinese classes to Black History Month and Dia De Los Muertos celebrations, INIC embraces cultural diversity and community involvement. Austin is a wonderful mix of people, languages, and cultures, and we want students to be proud of their different heritages.
We also promote community involvement by organizing educational visits from civil servants and healthcare providers, and by bringing together families with fun events like carnivals, holiday parties, book fairs, potlucks, and Open Class days.
Extracurricular Activities
Physical activity and interpersonal relationships are just as important to a young child's development as academic success. We offer extracurricular activities, including plenty of time to explore our outdoor playgrounds and indoor gyms.
We also team up with local athletic coaches to offer sports, and we organize an academic-guided Summer Camp featuring additional activities like yoga, cooking, gymnastics, and more!
Responsive Staff
INIC values customer service. We answer the phone, return voicemail, and reply to emails. We’re available for one-on-one and group meetings.
We’ve made changes to our business based on feedback from parents. Without you, we wouldn’t exist – we know you have options. Our staff doesn’t have perfect customer service every day, but we try!