A Rising Star Children's Center

Reviews

• DR

  Danielle Devereaux Reed

  Dec 4, 2024
  5.0
  Our family has had an incredible experience with A Rising Star in Croton, NY, part of the Hendrick Hudson School District. Our daughter started attending full-time at just 15 months old, and from day one, it felt like home. She absolutely loved every moment, and now, even as a kindergartener, she still looks forward to getting off the bus there during the week. The staff is truly exceptional—warm, attentive, and nurturing. They genuinely care about each child and go above and beyond to make sure every day is filled with fun, learning, and love. The facility itself is clean, well-maintained, and designed with the children’s comfort and safety in mind. One of the standout aspects of A Rising Star is their focus on early childhood education. The program is thoughtfully designed to ensure that children are school-ready, with a strong emphasis on foundational skills like early literacy, math, and social development. By the time our daughter started kindergarten, she was more than prepared, both academically and socially. The staff also supports every stage of a child’s development, from nap transitions to potty training, making what could be challenging milestones feel manageable and stress-free. Their guidance and patience made all the difference for our family during those critical early years. Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of A Rising Star is the sense of community it fosters. Many of the friends our daughter made as a toddler are still by her side today, and we as parents have formed what I believe are lifelong friendships with other families. Being new to the area, we didn’t know many people, but A Rising Star quickly became the heart of our community. If you’re looking for a daycare that offers more than just childcare—a place where your child can grow, thrive, and build lasting relationships—A Rising Star is exactly that. We can’t recommend it enough!
• DD

  Dustin D.

  Nov 20, 2024
  5.0
  I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend A Rising Star Daycare based on our family's exceptional experience over the years. Our three children have attended this daycare from infancy through to kindergarten, and we have been consistently impressed with the care and education they've received. From the very beginning, it was clear that A Rising Star is a place where children are not only cared for, but truly valued. The staff is warm, kind, and incredibly dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and respected. I always felt confident that my children were in great hands, and they looked forward to their days at daycare. What I appreciate most is the way A Rising Star encourages both emotional and intellectual growth. The emphasis on learning through play has allowed my children to develop critical skills like independence, social interaction, and problem-solving, all while having fun! It’s evident that the staff is focused on helping children grow into confident, curious individuals who are excited about learning. Additionally, the daycare’s outdoor space is absolutely fantastic. With plenty of room for outdoor activities, playtime, and exploration, my kids have had countless opportunities to stay active, connect with nature, and build lasting memories outdoors. Overall, I cannot recommend A Rising Star Daycare enough. The nurturing environment, the focus on learning, and the wonderful staff make it a truly special place for children. I am so grateful for the positive impact it’s had on our family and would highly recommend it to any parent seeking the best care and education for their child.
• CE

  Caroline Elsas

  Jun 26, 2024
  5.0
  My daughter had a great experience here for UPK!
• YG

  Y G

  Sep 29, 2023
  5.0
  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!

Frequently Asked Questions About A Rising Star Children's Center