About Us

What is Gorgeous Millie?

Gorgeous Millie is a teacher-led playgroup that is building community through its members– children, parents, and caregivers.  Our facility is beautiful, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped with wi-fi access, a water cooler, and coffee and tea service.

We offer open play supervised by our teacher to encourage social development as well as structured time that includes circle time, games, art, reading and music.

Co-founders

J.C. Conklin is a writer, acupuncture student, yoga devotee and mom of three. She is a former Wall Street Journal Reporter. She writes women’s fiction under Random House and her last book, The Icing on the Cupcake, is in its fourth printing. J.C. and Laura often talked about what was missing for their children in the city while they walked around Lake Austin pushing strollers. What J.C. wanted was a place that had a sense of community and catered to the parents comfort in addition to the children’s happiness.

Laura Jacks is a mediator, former judge, rogue runner and mom of two. She comes from a family of child educators and experts. None of that prepared her for the seismic shift in lifestyle a baby brings. Where was the peer group? She knew she wanted a place to go to that didn’t feel like Gymboree where she could talk to other moms and her sons could play. She thought Austin could use a playgroup that has music, art and free play wrapped up in one morning. A place where moms can sit on couches and sip a latte while they talk and supervise play. Out of that desire Gorgeous Millie was created.

Lead instructor

Whitney Winchester is a teacher and avid reader. After completing graduate school, working with children helped her to realize that her passion was in education. She has worked closely with children of all ages in different capacities. She strives to develop a creative and stimulating environment where all children will develop a lifelong love of learning.