A Rising Star Children's Center

"Our family couldn't have been happier with our daughter's time at A Rising Star. She was loved hard, taught well and couldn't wait to go back every morning. We also made some great forever friends with fellow parents."

"My family was with The Rising Star Childcare Center for over 3 years and, looking back at our time at TRS, I can only recall positive experiences. Now that we are in a formal school setting, I miss the frequent communication TRS parents received from the director and teachers.  I didn't realize how accessible they were to us, parents.  Some of it has to do with daycare centers being a smaller institution, but a lot of it has to do with the people.  The TRS director and its teachers made a choice to provide information and answer parents as a priority.  It's also a fine balance and, in our case, they did a commendable job.  I miss being on a first name basis with my kids educators. TRS is an unusual setting for a daycare center.  Most reviews mention it and it's worth repeating.  It is not in a shopping center or a residential home, which are common locations for Northern Westchester daycare services. TRS is set back off a quiet street, surrounded by trees.  Each of its three outdoor spaces are fun!  Some may raise concern with a repurposed tennis court as a playground for preschool age children.  I don't share those worries.  The space is enclosed, making it safe.  There is tree shade and canopies staff put up on hot summer days.  Preschoolers love to run, ride their bikes and scooters, and there is nothing smoother for both of those activities than a tennis court.  In summer time, those guys use the green space next to the enclosed court for water activities, like splash pads or sprinklers.  In winter time, it's sledding.  There aren't many daycare centers that offer outdoor activities to the same level as TRS.  We loved it.  I want to thank the teachers for doing that physical work:  getting a small army of kids to go outside twice a day is no small feat!  I know it may feel tedious and exhausting, but it's the outdoor activities that are a topic of conversation at our dinner table later that day.  It's their best memories... Thank you. While we don't have a lot of experience with daycare services, TRS was not our first stop.  We went with a known, national chain before transferring to Rising Star.  In both centers, the problems were the same, so I don't subscribe to the idea of solely blaming leadership.  While they are responsible for the culture of the business, it is an unfortunate fact that daycare teachers change employers frequently.  Staff turnover was a common problem across the two institutions we experienced.  In my conversations with other parents, this is an industry characteristic and not limited to TRS.  Our personal experience at TRS was exceptional in that we got the best, long-term, teachers for each room our children transitioned through.  I recognize some of it was timing and luck.  And while others may not have had the same level of satisfaction with their teachers, all TRS kids experience the same activities:  there were fun music playlists, costumes, handmade puppets, butterfly garden, music fridays, holiday and birthday parties where teachers frequently contributed on their own to make the kids feel nice. When we drive past TRS, our children wave to it, sharing memories of their "baby school". I also want to touch on the frequently contentious topic of lunch menus.  Having gone to a center that did not offer lunch, I am squarely in the pro camp for "kid lunches at school".  I need the help and I was thankful for whatever was offered by TRS.  While we did not use school breakfast most of the time, our kids ate TRS lunch.  And they loved it.  It is kid friendly food and it's always a hit with that age group.  Perhaps the portions look small but they are adequate for little tummies and there are snacks.  Our kids did not drop off their pediatric trend chart, home meals rounded out their caloric intake.  It is such a personal, subjective topic that I am nervous even approaching it. I appreciated knowing the school would feed our kids.  It was a massive time saver. Bottom line, we loved and miss TRS!"

"Updated: it's the complete story. Initially, the owner informed me that they had a spot available for the summer, prompting me to decide to enroll my child here. However, when I chased the owner for the paperwork almost every day, she went radio Silence for a week. Finally, she finally decided to talk. She stated that they Only had availability for the Fall. I was frustrated. Fortunately, another daycare contacted me, offering spots for both the summer and fall, which is why I decided to make the move. ------------------------------------ Being cautious about the owner, it is evident that she lacks honesty. The most distressing incident occurred when she assured us of a spot for our child, and, to secure it, we paid a hefty deposit of $1550 along with the registration fee. Consequently, we declined other daycare options. However, later, she abruptly informed me that there was no longer a spot available for my child. Thankfully, we found other daycare centers that were more truthful, allowing my child to enroll without any delay. In hindsight, I should have filed an complaint about this situation to the State and AG. Furthermore, there were additional minor incidents that indicated serious issues with either her DISHONEST personality or something else going on. If you choose to send your children to this establishment, exercise caution and prioritize safeguarding your and your kid’s interests. Edit: All of my statements are accurate. Proceed with enrollment at your own risk."

"I cannot say enough good things about A Rising Star - the only downfall I have is not finding it any sooner. I currently have 3 children attending here, and each one loves it. My 4 year old loves the homemade food and activities he does each day. He has learned to count to 100, name all the planets in order, identify and write all letters of the alphabet, and how to be kind, patient, and loving. I know when he starts Kindergarten in a year, he will be more than ready. My infant twins also love going and have made strong connections with their teachers (the smiles and hugs they give to the teachers just melt my heart). Gloria, the owner, has also been very accommodating. I would describe A Rising Star as warm, loving, and a place for growth. We are very happy to be a part of A Rising Star family."

"Our 1.5 year old son really enjoys A Rising Star Children’s Center. We have been part of the Rising Star family since he was 4 months old. Our son started there when I went back to work and they worked with us on a smooth transition. We really love the mix of children being together to make it a big extended family. All the kids look out for my son since he is one of the younger ones. They have worked with us through milestones including starting solids, crawling, stopping the bottle and walking. The first time my son walked across the room, all the other kids cheered. We enjoy the well-rounded program which includes practical education, crafts for everyone and lots of time outside for fun. The program also includes a few celebration performances where the kids sing songs they have learned. This really brings the program together and the feeling of a big extended family. Our son is very comfortable at Rising Star which makes us comfortable. If he is giving us any trouble getting ready in the morning, a simple reminder of the caregivers and his friends he gets to see soon helps out. It’s hard to leave your child in the care of others, but A Rising Star works with you to care for your children the same way you would. I highly recommend A Rising Star Childcare Center and look forward to many more years with them."