Starfish Academy

Every Great Journey Begins with a Strong Foundation

The first five years are filled with wonder, discovery, and extraordinary growth. At Starfish Academy, we help children build the confidence, curiosity, and skills that prepare them for kindergarten and a lifetime of learning.

Your child’s brain is being shaped every day.
Your child’s first smile. First giggle. First step. These are the milestones you’ll always remember. And beneath each of those magical “firsts,” something even more remarkable is happening. During the first five years, your child’s brain forms more than one million new neural connections every second. Every conversation, every moment of play, every caring interaction, and every encouraging word helps build the foundation for how they learn, communicate solve problems, build relationships and understand the world around them.

Choosing a preschool isn’t simply deciding where your child will spend the day. It’s choosing the adults who will help shape the developing brain they’ll rely on for the rest of their life. That’s why choosing the right preschool is one of the most important decisions you’ll every make.

Designed for Discovery

At Starfish Academy, learning is active, hands-on, and child-led. Our classrooms are inspired by the internationally recognized Reggio Emilia philosophy, which views the environment as the “third teacher.” Every space is intentionally designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and discovery.
Combined with our research-based curriculum and exceptional teachers, children gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive.

A Day at Starfish
Every day is thoughtfully planned to nurture your child’s curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. Through purposeful play, exploration, and meaningful relationships, children build the skills they need for kindergarten—and for life.Your child will experience:

Play-Based Learning
Hands-on experiences that encourage exploration, creativity, problem-solving, and discovery.

Research-Based Curriculum
The nationally recognized Creative Curriculum® supports growth in language, literacy, math, science, social-emotional development, and more.

Learning Centers
Inviting classroom spaces encourage children to explore art, dramatic play, sensory activities, building, literacy, and STEM experiences.

Outdoor Exploration
Nature-inspired playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces provide opportunities for movement, discovery, and imaginative play.

Individualized Support
Teachers tailor learning experiences to each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental stage.

A Connected Partnership with Families
Families receive regular updates about classroom activities and their child’s progress, creating meaningful connections between home and school.

Why Families Choose Starfish

At Starfish Academy, every child is seen as an individual with unique strengths, interests, and potential. We combine exceptional early childhood education with the expertise of The Florida Center’s multidisciplinary team to create an environment where children feel safe, confident, and inspired to learn. Learning experiences are thoughtfully designed so every child is appropriately challenged, supported, and inspired—regardless of where they are developmentally.

Every day, your child will benefit from:

Nationally accredited preschool education
Caring teachers who understand how young children learn and grow
An inclusive classroom where children of all abilities learn, play, and build friendships together
Play-based, hands-on learning experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, confidence, and independence
Individualized learning that builds on each child’s strengths while supporting areas of growth
Collaboration between teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals when additional support is needed
Strong partnerships with families, because children thrive when parents and educators work together
Calming Reggio Emilia- inspired learning environement
Nationally-recognized Creative Curriculum®
97% of Starfish VPK graduates are kindergarten ready

Whether your child is meeting milestones right on schedule or needs extra support along the way, Starfish Academy provides the nurturing relationships, engaging experiences, and expert guidance that help every child reach their fullest potential.

Partners in Learning
Parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers. At Starfish Academy, we keep you connected to your child’s classroom through regular updates, insights into what they’re learning, and simple ideas you can naturally incorporate into everyday routines. When home and school work together, children experience a more connected, consistent learning journey.

Growing Together
Research shows that inclusive classrooms benefit every child. Children of all abilities learn and play side by side, building friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Children who are developing typically gain empathy, compassion, and an appreciation for differences, while children who need additional support learn from their peers and participate fully in the classroom community.

Our Team
It takes a team to ensure children thrive.
At Starfish Academy, your child benefits from more than exceptional teachers. They are surrounded by experienced early childhood educators and, when needed, The Florida Center’s multidisciplinary team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals.
Working together, our team supports the whole child – academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally – while partnering with families every step of the way.