Sunshine Preschool Center

Our Teachers

Nancy Azar - Owner

I was inspired to start a preschool to give back to the community. I am a grandmother and I have seen how difficult it is for my own son to find childcare for his three children. I have lived in San Francisco for more than 40 years and love getting to know some of my youngest neighbors.

Laura Podosyan - Director & Head Teacher

Laura is the Academic Director and Head Teacher of Sunshine Preschool Center. I have 12 years of experience working with preschool-aged children, including 2.5 years at a Montessori preschool. I am originally from the Ukraine and have taught children from preschool through high school.

I am a parent and grandmother myself and know how important early care and education is.

I hold a Masters Degree in Science and Education. I hold 18 units of Early Childhood Education and Child Development.

I am an artist and love doing art with children. I am also a children’s book author and have published two books: The Teddy Bear with Hedgehog Hair and The Magic Blanket.

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Philosophy

Sunshine Preschool Center believes the core skills needed for a successful, productive life are learned  before the age of 6. Learning, communication, emotional and interpersonal skills are developed during these formative years.

In a safe, caring environment with a play-based philosophy, Sunshine Preschool nurtures each child into reaching his or her full creative, intellectual, social and independent self. We recognize the extraordinary expansion that occurs during these early years. Therefore it focuses on stimulating each child’s innate craving for knowledge by introducing and reinforcing core learning competencies and promoting accelerated growth.

It is our goal to provide an environment that helps prepare children to thrive in school and the broader world. Children will leave Sunshine Preschool Center ready with skills needed to thrive in kindergarten. In our program, children will feel empowered to follow their own interests in a safe space.

Location

Sunshine Preschool Center is located in a bright, welcoming single family home in the Bernal Heights neighborhood.

We’ve designed our care environment with play and learning areas that allow children to explore various developmentally-appropriate activities based on their interests. Some of our favorite areas include block area (for gross motor skills and problem solving), dramatic play area (for self-expression and empathy), and art area (for expressing emotions and ideas).

Children will have some outdoor time everyday in my private yard or outdoor space. Connecting with nature lets children gain deeper knowledge of themselves and the world.

At Sunshine Preschool Center, I want to provide an enriching environment where children feel free to explore and play.

About our program

A Place to Shine

We at Sunshine Preschool Center do our best to create a play-learning environment where kids can grow up in love, care, and happiness. Our intention is to equip the children with strong self-esteem, confidence, attitudes, skills toward their bright future. Young children who go to Sunshine Preschool Center get the tools and support they need for their healthy development. All activities are carefully designed to adequately nurture the emotional, intellectual, and physical growth of our kids. Through stimulating situations and hands-on learning opportunities, children are free to develop into bright young minds.

Quality Child Care

We believe that children thrive in an environment that values their own uniqueness, while providing support and opportunities to grow emotionally, socially and creatively. By building on each child’s strengths, interests and curiosities, we guide each child to explore the world around them as well as develop new abilities and form close relationships.

Admissions

Join the Sunshine Preschool Center community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Tour our program

Come see what makes Sunshine Preschool Center unique. Please schedule a tour or attend an Open House event.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application at www.wonderschool.com/sunshine-preschool-center-3011/apply – Please note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.