Answers for Parents

For more than 20 years, Shiny Little Stars has been a place where Stamford families bring their children to learn, play, make friends, and grow.

We’re an owner-operated center, which means our leadership is hands-on and deeply involved in the school. We know our families. We know our teachers. And, most importantly, we make an effort to know your child.

Over the years, we’ve watched children take their first steps into our classrooms, make their first preschool friendships, discover new interests, and head off to kindergarten with growing confidence.

Being part of those years is something we never take for granted.

We welcome children from approximately 15 months through five years old.

Our classrooms include:

Little Dippers
Younger Toddlers

Big Dippers
Older Toddlers

Milky Way
Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten

We look at each child individually when determining classroom placement. Development, readiness, classroom dynamics, and available space all play a role.

Our goal is to place your child where they will feel comfortable, supported, and ready to grow.

We think it comes down to something simple: we really get to know the children in our care.

Our teachers have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children because of our low teacher-to-child ratios. They notice the little things.

They know who needs a little extra encouragement in the morning. They know which child loves to ask questions. They know who is ready for a challenge and who needs a little more time.

We combine those relationships with purposeful play, thoughtfully designed classrooms, an enriching curriculum, and lots of opportunities for outdoor exploration.

But beyond all of that, we want Shiny Little Stars to feel personal.

You shouldn’t feel like you’re dropping your child off at a big center where they disappear into the crowd.

You should feel like you know the people caring for your child.

And your child should feel like they belong.

Warm, active, welcoming, and very much centered around children.

There is plenty of learning happening, but your child will also have time to play, move, imagine, create, explore, and simply be a young child.

We want our classrooms to feel like places where children are comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, trying again, and sharing their ideas.

Yes, but we think of play as much more than simply “free time.”

Young children learn by doing.

When your child builds with blocks, they’re developing spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. When they pretend with friends, they’re learning communication and cooperation. When they explore water, sand, or natural materials, they’re making observations and discovering how things work.

Our teachers intentionally create opportunities for this kind of learning throughout the day.

We use the Experience Curriculum alongside your child’s interests, developmental needs, and the things that naturally capture their attention.

The goal is to make learning meaningful because your child is engaged in what they’re doing.

Your child’s preschool years are about building much more than academic skills.

We support growth in:

• Social and emotional development
• Language and communication
• Early literacy
• Foundational math
• Creativity
• Physical development
• Independence
• Problem-solving
• Cooperation and friendship skills

These skills come to life through stories, music, art, sensory experiences, building, dramatic play, science, movement, and outdoor exploration.

We want your child to leave us not only ready for kindergarten, but feeling confident about themselves as a learner.

Every classroom has its own rhythm based on the ages and needs of the children, but each day includes a thoughtful balance of learning, play, movement, relationships, outdoor time, meals, and rest.

Your child might begin the morning by settling in and exploring the classroom before joining friends for stories, songs, or conversation.

From there, the day might include a small-group activity, an art or sensory experience, building, dramatic play, science, or time outside.

There is also time for lunch, self-help routines, rest or quiet time, and afternoon activities.

We believe young children benefit from having a predictable rhythm to their day, while still leaving plenty of room to follow their interests and discover something unexpected.

We really value outdoor time.

On suitable days, children often spend approximately three hours outdoors.

Our outdoor environment gives your child opportunities to run, climb, move, explore nature, engage in sensory play, and simply enjoy being outside.

Outdoor learning is not an afterthought for us. It’s an important part of the day.

Our educators are experienced early childhood professionals who bring warmth, patience, and thoughtful guidance into the classroom.

But experience is only part of what matters to us.

We want teachers who genuinely enjoy being around young children. Teachers who are curious about them. Teachers who understand that two children the same age can have completely different personalities, needs, and ways of learning.

Our low teacher-to-child ratios give educators the time and opportunity to really know the children in their classrooms.

We also value ongoing professional development and team stability because consistency matters to young children.

When your child sees familiar, caring adults each day, it helps them feel secure.

Ms. Lumi and / or Ms. Magda are personally present throughout the day and always available to support your child, your family, and our teachers when needed. 

That is one of the things we value most.

We know your child is not exactly like every other child in their classroom.

Maybe they’re outgoing and ready to jump into everything. Maybe they like to watch first. Maybe they talk nonstop. Maybe they communicate more quietly.

We pay attention to those differences.

Our teachers get to know your child’s personality, interests, development, and individual needs so they can meet them where they are and help them take their next steps.

Because children need to move.

They need to run, climb, explore, touch, investigate, and experience the world beyond four classroom walls.

Our extensive outdoor environment gives children space for active play, nature exploration, sensory experiences, and discovery. Your child will spend an average of 3 hours outdoors each day.

And sometimes, the best learning happens when a child notices something unexpected outside and says, “Look at this!”

We want to give them time to stop, wonder, and explore.

We use Brightwheel to help keep families connected throughout the day.

Through Brightwheel, you can receive:

• Daily care reports
• Classroom photographs
• Important updates
• Direct messages
• Incident reports
• Tuition information
• Reminders and announcements

We also share curriculum highlights, lunch menus, newsletters, and upcoming events.

We know that you can’t be here for every little moment.

When your child has a funny morning, discovers something new, or has a particularly exciting day, we want you to feel connected to their experience.

Yes. Communication with families is an important part of our approach.

We want you to feel comfortable sharing information with us, asking questions, and telling us anything that may help us better understand and support your child.

The more we know, the better we can work together.

Shiny Little Stars may be a wonderful fit if you’re looking for a preschool where:

• Your child will be known personally
• Teachers and families have meaningful relationships
• Learning happens through play and exploration
• Outdoor time is an important part of the day
• Classrooms feel warm and welcoming
• You value experienced educators and hands-on leadership
• Communication with your child’s school matters to you
• You want your child to be encouraged to grow at their own pace

We know that every family is different.

That’s why we encourage you to visit, ask questions, and see how the school feels to you.

You’ll know a lot more after you’ve walked through the doors.

Your child’s safety comes first.

Shiny Little Stars is licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and our staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and mandated reporting.

We also have procedures in place for secure building access, controlled visitor entry, active supervision, emergency drills, playground inspections, and health and allergy needs.

Safety is something we take seriously every day, not just something we talk about during enrollment.

We want you to feel confident when you leave your child with us.

Our tuition reflects the care and experience that go into your child’s day, including our experienced educators, low teacher-to-child ratios, curriculum, classroom experiences, and extensive outdoor opportunities.

Weekly tuition rates vary based on classroom placement.

A registration fee and two-week tuition deposit are required to secure enrollment.

Families may provide lunch from home or choose our optional hot-lunch program.

Because tuition and availability can change, we’re happy to talk with you about current rates and what is included when you visit.

The best place to start is with a visit.

Schedule a private tour and come see our toddler and preschool classrooms for yourself.

You’ll meet our educators, see where your child could spend their days, explore our outdoor environment, and have time to ask questions.

There’s no pressure to make a decision during your visit.

We want you to feel comfortable getting to know us and deciding whether Shiny Little Stars feels right for your family.

If you decide that Shiny Little Stars feels like the right fit, we’ll walk you through the next steps.

We’ll discuss availability, registration, enrollment forms, and new-family orientation.

If your preferred classroom is full, we can also talk with you about the waitlist.

Please note that joining the waitlist does not guarantee a placement. Enrollment is confirmed once the required fees and documents have been received and accepted.

We’ll be here to help you understand each step along the way.

We want you to know that your child matters here.

Not just their age or their classroom placement.

Your child.

Their personality. Their interests. Their little victories. Their questions. Their friendships. The things they’re still learning to do.

We know that handing your child over to someone else each morning requires trust.

We don’t take that trust lightly.

For more than 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of caring for children during some of the most important early years of their lives.

We’re proud of the learning that happens here, but we’re just as proud of the relationships.

The child who finally feels brave enough to join the group.

The parent who tells us their child talks about school all weekend.

The sibling who comes through our doors because an older brother or sister once did.

The former student who comes back years later to say hello.

Those are the moments that make Shiny Little Stars feel like more than a preschool.

They make it feel like a community.