Business Details
Trusted Childcare Programs in Richmond Hill
Shining Stars Childcare has been dedicated to nurturing young minds in Richmond Hill, Markham, Stouffville, and Vaughan since our establishment. Our programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are designed to foster independence, creativity, and developmental growth through play-based learning. Licensed by the Ministry of Education, we maintain rigorous standards while creating a welcoming environment that extends families' homes. Our team of experienced educators, including Registered Early Childhood Educators and specialists, brings decades of combined expertise in early childhood development. We prioritize community-building through personalized communication and tailored curricula that reflect children's interests and needs.Our facilities feature specialized learning stations that stimulate cognitive, social, and physical development. With staff holding advanced degrees and certifications in early education, we combine academic knowledge with practical experience to prepare children for school transitions. Our commitment to continuous improvement is demonstrated through ongoing staff development, including part-time professor contributions to Seneca College's programs. We maintain transparent operations with clearly defined hours and accessible contact information for parent engagement. Our focus remains on creating secure, stimulating environments where every child receives individualized attention and measurable developmental progress.
Services
Toddler Program
Preschool Program
JK/SK Program
Summer Camp
Language Development
Developmental Milestones
Play-Based Learning
Transition Preparation
Community Building
Parent Collaboration
Highlights and features
- Our team includes Registered Early Childhood Educators with 32 years of combined experience
- We maintain Ministry of Education licensing standards for quality assurance
- Programs incorporate Montessori principles and individualized learning approaches
- Staff hold advanced degrees including Masters in Early Childhood Education
- We provide seamless communication between educators and families
Associations and certifications
- Ministry of Education
Services
Toddler Program
Our Toddler Program serves children aged 16 months to 2.5 years with a nurturing environment that extends family care. Educators implement weekly lesson plans based on children's interests while developing independence through play. Activities include sensory exploration, art projects, and outdoor excursions that support developmental milestones in a secure setting.
Preschool Program
Designed for 2.5 to 3.5-year-olds, this program builds foundational skills through structured learning stations. Children engage with blocks, library resources, and science activities while developing social-emotional competencies. Our educators guide independence development using play-based methods that prepare children for formal schooling environments.
JK/SK Program
Junior/Senior Kindergarten programming supports children aged 3.5 to 6 years with school transition preparation. Curriculum focuses on literacy, mathematics, and social studies through interest-driven lesson plans. We emphasize confidence-building and creative expression while maintaining alignment with provincial educational standards for school readiness.
Summer Camp
Our Summer Camp program provides structured activities and educational experiences during school breaks. Children participate in themed learning adventures that maintain developmental progress while encouraging outdoor exploration and social interaction in a fun, supportive environment.
Language Development
We offer language enrichment programs with staff fluent in multiple languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, and French. Our educators incorporate literacy activities and bilingual instruction to support cognitive development and communication skills in diverse linguistic contexts.
People
Holly Gerrard
Supervisor
Supervisor with 32 years of childcare experience, including 9 years at Shining Stars. Registered Early Childhood Educator and part-time Seneca College professor specializing in infant-toddler education.
Nouhdar Hido
RECE
Registered Early Childhood Educator since 2022, working at Shining Stars since 2019. Multilingual educator fluent in four languages who creates inclusive learning environments based on children's interests.
Leigh McMaster
RECE
Early childhood educator with 5+ years experience in York Region. Holds Montessori diploma and pursuing Masters degree, bringing academic expertise and creative teaching methods to toddler programs.
Francine Renaud
RECE
Five-year veteran educator specializing in toddler and preschool development. Former children's librarian integrating literacy and French language elements into daily programming for comprehensive learning experiences.
Molly Jian
RECE
Bilingual educator fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English with 5+ years at Shining Stars. Focuses on creating safe, engaging environments that support children's developmental milestones through observation-based programming.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We provide programs for toddlers (16 months-2.5 years), preschoolers (2.5-3.5 years), and JK/SK children (3.5-6 years).
Are your staff qualified educators?
All our educators are Registered Early Childhood Educators with specialized training, including Montessori certification and advanced degrees in child development.
What curriculum approach do you use?
We implement play-based learning with lesson plans tailored to children's interests, following Ministry of Education guidelines for developmental milestones.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes, our Summer Camp provides structured educational activities and outdoor experiences during school breaks for enrolled children.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through daily updates, scheduled meetings, and ongoing collaboration to support each child's development journey.
What safety measures are in place?
We follow strict licensing standards with secure facilities, trained staff, and established protocols for health, safety, and emergency preparedness.
