The questions we hear most — and the straight answers.

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).

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.

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

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."

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.

We're a small, intentional home program — up to 12 children total, with two caregivers always present (a 1:6 ratio per teacher, per Washington state regulations). Group size stays small on purpose so every child is known and seen.

Yes. All food we serve is certified organic, including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins. Meals and snacks meet USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) nutrition standards, and we serve only water, unflavored milk, or 100% juice. Dated menus are provided to families weekly.

Yes. We observe standard U.S. holidays as well as Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha — reflecting our trilingual, multicultural environment. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and welcome families to share their cultural heritage with us.

Minimal and intentional. We don't use screens for children under 24 months, and screens are never on during meals or snacks. When TV time happens, it's brief, educational, age-appropriate, and never a substitute for hands-on play. Our days lean heavily on hands-on materials, outdoor play, and conversation.

Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. We're closed on major holidays; a full calendar is shared after enrollment.

We serve Mill Creek, Silver Firs, and Everett 98208 in Snohomish County. The exact home address is shared when we confirm your tour — this keeps our families and little ones safe.

Tuition depends on your child's age and whether you need full or part-time care. We share current rates during your tour so we can match the right program to your family.

Four simple steps: (1) Schedule a tour, (2) Meet Ms. Sue and Ms. Malak and see the classroom, (3) If it's a fit, submit an enrollment application, (4) Pick a start date and complete paperwork. Welcome to the family.

Yes. We serve breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack — four food touchpoints daily. All meals and snacks are certified organic and meet USDA CACFP nutritional standards. Dated menus are shared weekly, and we accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions — just let us know.

Often yes — we keep group sizes small on purpose. We always welcome tour requests; if we're full, we'll be honest with you about timing and add you to the list.

Absolutely. Tours run about 30 minutes. Bring your child if you'd like — Ms. Sue and Ms. Malak love meeting them.

We follow WA DCYF guidance. Children with fever, active vomiting, untreated contagious illness, or symptoms that prevent them from participating must stay home. Specifics are in the Parent Handbook, shared on enrollment.