rising stars

Montessori-inspired · Mill Creek, WA

A second home.

Where they grow, play, and learn.

A licensed home daycare led by Ms. Sue and her daughter Ms. Malak— trilingual English, Arabic & French care for ages 0–5.

  • 5.0

    Google Rating

  • 05

    Ages Served

  • EN·AR·FR

    Trilingual Daily

  • Licensed

    WA DCYF · #PL-84210

A child in a dinosaur jacket painting outdoors at Rising Stars

About Rising Stars

A small, loving program where every child is known by name.

Ms. Sue opened Rising Stars so families in our community could find what every parent hopes for — a daycare that feels like home, a teacher who treats your child like her own, and a Montessori-inspired approach that builds real confidence and independence.

Because we're a licensed family child care home, the group stays small on purpose. That's what makes daily communication, individual attention, and steady routines actually possible.

Meet Your Teachers

A mother and daughter, in one home.

Rising Stars is run by Souad — known to families as Ms. Sue — and her daughter Malak. Two teachers, every day. No rotating staff.

Ms. Sue — Owner & Lead Teacher at Rising Stars Montessori Childcare

Owner & Lead Teacher

Ms. Sue

Souad Anoua

Souad — known to families as Ms. Sue — opened Rising Stars to build the kind of home-based daycare she'd want for her own children. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, she weaves all three languages into the rhythm of the day. Families know her for her patience, her Montessori-rooted approach, and the warm steady rhythm of her home.

  • Family Home Licensee — WA DCYF
  • Trilingual: English, Arabic, French
  • Montessori-rooted curriculum
I wanted to build the kind of place I'd be comfortable sending my own child to. That's the bar every day.
Ms. Malak — Co-Teacher at Rising Stars Montessori Childcare

Co-Teacher

Ms. Malak

Malak Anoua

Souad's daughter and a Seattle University graduate, Malak runs the day alongside her mother — a true mother-daughter program. She holds Early Childhood Education certification and ongoing professional development in early childhood development, plus CPR, First Aid, and the full set of Washington-state caregiver credentials.

  • Seattle University Graduate
  • Early Childhood Education certified
  • CPR + First Aid certified
Growing up in this house, I've seen what it means when kids feel safe enough to be curious. That's what we give every child here.

The same two trusted adults every day — no rotating staff, no classroom handoffs. That's the whole point of a family home.

Moments

Real days. Real children. Real joy.

A young child exploring a colorful sensory toy
A toddler in a plaid shirt painting an Easter egg
Overhead view of a child carefully coloring an Easter egg pattern
Small hands gluing colorful feathers onto a craft project

Programs

From first smiles to kindergarten-ready.

Three age groups, one home. Your child moves through each stage with the same trusted teachers and the same small, familiar group of friends.

Ages 0 – 18 mo
Little Stars program — Infant at Rising Stars

Infant · 6 weeks – 18 months

Little Stars

Attentive one-on-one care in a calm, home-based setting. Gentle routines, responsive caregiving, and the first seeds of independent exploration.

  • Low child-to-caregiver ratio
  • Consistent daily rhythm for feeding and rest
  • Sensory-rich, home-safe environment
Ages 18 mo – 3 yr
Bright Stars program — Toddler at Rising Stars

Toddler · 18 months – 3 years

Bright Stars

The Montessori-inspired years of practical life, language, and movement. Children gain confidence through hands-on work and predictable routines.

  • Practical life activities — pouring, dressing, cleaning up
  • Language-rich environment, trilingual English, Arabic & French
  • Toilet-learning support on each child's timeline
Ages 3 – 5 yr
Shining Stars program — Preschool at Rising Stars

Preschool · 3 – 5 years

Shining Stars

Kindergarten readiness the Montessori-inspired way. Children work with hands-on materials — pink tower, bead cabinet, sandpaper letters — at their own pace.

  • Montessori-inspired math, language, and sensorial work
  • Arts, crafts, and creative expression
  • Social-emotional development in a mixed-age group

A Day With Us

A calm, predictable rhythm.

Children thrive on routine. Tap through to see how a day at Rising Stars unfolds — from the soft morning drop-off to an unhurried afternoon goodbye.

7:00 – 9:00 AM

Gentle arrivals & breakfast

A soft drop-off window where children settle in with a quiet choice of work or play. Breakfast together, then a short morning circle — songs in English, Arabic, and French, a look at the day ahead.

A second home

Small group, home-based setting. Every child is known, seen, and cared for as one of our own.

Montessori-inspired

Hands-on materials, child-led pace, and practical life skills — the method parents see working day after day.

Trilingual, by nature

English, Arabic, and French woven into everyday routines, storytime, and song — a gentle exposure, never forced.

Common Questions

The questions parents ask first.

The quick answers. For everything else, see the full FAQ or call Ms. Sue at (206) 475-8377.

What ages do you care for?

We care for children from birth through 5 years. That covers three programs under one roof — Little Stars (Infant), Bright Stars (Toddler), and Shining Stars (Preschool).

Who will be caring for my child each day?

Two trusted adults, every day. Ms. Sue (Souad Anoua) is the owner and lead teacher; her daughter Ms. Malak is co-teacher and present daily. No rotating staff, no classroom handoffs — your child sees the same warm faces from infancy through preschool.

Are you licensed?

Yes. Rising Stars is licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families as a Family Child Care Home (license #PL-84210).

What does "Montessori-inspired" mean?

We apply the core principles of the Montessori method — following the child, prepared environment, hands-on materials, mixed-age social learning — in a home-based setting. We are not an AMI or AMS-accredited school, which is why we use "Montessori-inspired" rather than simply "Montessori."

What languages do you speak with the children?

English, Arabic, and French. Ms. Sue is fluent in all three and weaves them into songs, storytime, greetings, and everyday play — a gentle, natural exposure rather than formal instruction. Children naturally absorb language when it's part of the rhythm of the day.

Reviews from real Mill Creek parents

5.0 on Google — because families feel it every day.

01
He's so much more confident and independent now, and a huge part of that is Rising Stars. They really treat our son as one of their own kids.

Jeff Ryan

Google · Local Guide · 11 months ago

02
I can't express enough relief and gratitude for Sue at Rising Stars… they really feel like a second family.

Liz Stewart

Google Review · a year ago

03
Open communication and daily updates… a great place that felt like a second home for my child.

Niloofar Irani

Google Review · a year ago

How It Works

Three simple steps to your first day.

No long applications, no hidden fees. A short visit, a simple conversation, and we go from there.

01

Schedule a Tour

Pick a time that works for your family. Tours last about 30 minutes, no pressure. We confirm by email with the exact address.

02

Meet Ms. Sue & Ms. Malak

Visit the home, see the classroom, meet both teachers. Bring your child if you'd like — the whole family is welcome.

03

Start with Us

If it's a fit, complete enrollment and pick a start date. A gentle transition week helps your child settle in.

Come see it for yourself

The best way to know Rising Stars is to visit.

Tours last about 30 minutes. You'll meet Ms. Sue, see the classroom, and get a feel for the rhythm of our day. Address is shared when we confirm your tour.