Learning Star Preschool

We had two children at Learning Star for about six years.
Mrs. Lynch is both a phenomenal caregiver and educator. The individualized care & development our kids received was outstanding. The children’s time was usually structured (and we’re parents who believe that most humans thrive with some structure) but when the kids asked for a free unstructured day, she would grant it. Mrs. Lynch loved our children as if they were her own and took as much joy in their development and unique personalities as we did (perhaps even more so on some days!).
Our boys both knew how to read and write before kindergarten even started. They were not only developmentally way ahead when they started Kindergarten, but also socially well adjusted. Both of our kids adore Mrs. Lynch & consider her the standard to which teachers should aspire. Her fees were consistent and we didn’t have any surprises
I have no doubt that our kids flourished more in Mrs. Lynch’s care than they would have in ours — and she’s far more patient! Mrs. Lynch is a true professional and there’s no way I could have done all that she did with our boys.
Each family needs to find the child care situation that works for their preferences & circumstances, but if I had to choose childcare/​pre-​school all over again, I’d send them to Learning Star from 3 mos until kindergarten. You’re set!

Both of our sons attended Learning Star Preschool, our older one from age 3 — 5, and our younger one from newborn to age 5. We selected this pre-​school among many others in the area because of Mrs. Lynch’s warm, educational, and personal focus on each child according to his or her particular needs and abilities, as well as her professionalism in running her pre-​school and her straightforward demeanor with parents. During our nearly six cumulative years of enrollment at Learning Star, Mrs. Lynch became very much an extension of our own family and has continued as such even years after.
The pre-​school is home-​based, which lends itself to a warm and friendly environment that made for a smooth transition each morning. In addition, Mrs. Lynch’s educational tools and materials are top notch and far superior to those of another program in which our older son was previously enrolled. Children get active outdoor time in a good-​sized, well-​suited backyard.
Mrs. Lynch not only has an extensive background in child education but also a passion for teaching that is visible in everything she does with the children. She is as motivated, engaged, friendly, and professional on a Monday at 7:30 a.m. with the children and parents as she is on a Friday at 6:00 p.m.
Mrs. Lynch provided our sons with a structured program that challenged and engaged each of them, in both their mental and physical development. The boys perceived their «school work» as mostly fun, but Mrs. Lynch stressed the link between effort and reward: after the children did their «work,» they then would get to play. Mrs. Lynch directs her program in a very loving, flexible, and fun manner so that the children look forward to going to «school.»
All calendars are distributed far in advance so that parents are very clear on the schedule for the upcoming year. For some working parents, the 5 – 6 weeks of holiday/​vacation closure each year may be a logistical challenge. Mrs. Lynch also holds semi-​annual parent teacher conferences where parents receive a thorough assessment of where each child is developmentally on all fronts. Both our sons entered their elementary schools not just thoroughly prepared for kindergarten but well advanced of other students. We highly recommend Learning Star Preschool.

I would rate zero stars if that were an option!
I had high hopes for this place and thought I had done my research prior to enrolling my 13 month old son. He broke his arm the second week he was there. Carmelita, the owner, claimed it was due to an odd tumble my son took while walking on the carpeted living room floor. I haven’t heard of any 1 year olds breaking bones from falls while learning to walk; there bones are flexible at this age. Doctors also were suspicious of the incident. Needless to say I pulled my son out of Carmelita’s care immediately. She seemed like a nice lady but there is way too much order in her day care. She has 1 year olds working on puzzles and sitting still for long periods of time… great that she teaches them to focus but just not normal for kids that age.
Carmelita also does not provide meals and doesn’t even offer a fridge for you to store your food products in. How inconvenient considering she charges a pretty penny for her services. I would have to lug a large ice box full of snacks and meals (yes, she does not even provide snacks) every morning.
She also is so business like asking for payment practically a whole two weeks in advance of when it is contractually due (I didn’t quite understand this part). Her place just didn’t have that warm and cozy family feel that I was looking for because she was too focused on her bottom line of making money and collecting tuition fees early.
I also did not feel the kids under her care were too happy. While Carmelita has very many years of experience as a child care provider, I think she is too old to handle more than two on her own. Note that she does not have any regular help so she handles up to 7 – 8 kids at a time on her own.
My son was so so very unhappy when I would drop him off. I knew something was off with the place and wished that I had listened to the warning signs sooner rather than later.

As first time parents, we visited many daycares before finding Learning Star, and once we visited, we knew it was the perfect place for our son. There was no doubt we would enroll our next son, even as a baby. With ample room to play and learn indoors and outdoors, they never feel cooped up and they always have wonderful stories to share with us. Learning Star is a treasure in our family’s lives.