Vermont's Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) helps parents evaluate programs that care for their kids. Sponsored by the Child Development Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families, STARS assigns star rankings to participating childcare, preschool and after-school programs.
Programs must apply to receive a ranking.
The STARS coordinators consider applicants' qualifications and operating policies, then assign them one to five stars. A single star means a program is new or examining its practices and working to improve them; a five-star ranking signifies that an applicant is established and outstanding in all areas.
Parents who meet the state's income eligibility guidelines may pay less for childcare if they enroll their children in programs with three, four or five stars.
Each month, Kids VT publishes an excerpt of the list of STARS participants. Last month's issue contained the list of STARS programs in Barre, Montpelier and Waterbury. This month, we're publishing the listings from the rest of Washington County. Find more information about STARS, a complete list of rankings and other childcare resources at dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/stars.
Shining Star: Spring Hill School

- Matthew Thorsen
- Kira Harris
Each month, Kids VT spotlights one five-star program from the featured geographical area.
63 Spring Hill Road, Waitsfield, 496-2139
5 stars
Type of program: Morning preschool and an extended-day afternoon program of early care and education. Spring Hill is a part-year program that offers a collaborative learning environment; it's inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. It also offers a month of summer camp after school gets out.
Year opened: 1984. The program has grown from serving nine families to serving 38 families.
Age range of children: 3 to 5 years old
Last field trip: Knoll Farm in Fayston. The kids caught frogs in the pond, held hands around the second-oldest tree in Vermont, visited with farm animals, enjoyed a picnic and hiked into a meadow.
Favorite rainy-day activity: Put on rain gear and go puddle jumping.
Favorite song to sing with kids: "Robin Red Breast." Results from a recent class poll show that the school's favorite bird is the chickadee.
Most recent staff-development activity: The staff completed a ropes course at ELITEAM. Says director Kira Harris, "It was such a fantastic experience! We discovered amazing things we could do together as a team."
Berlin
Early Education Program
Berlin Elementary School, 372 Paine Turnpike North,
223-2796
5 stars
Montpelier Montessori School
89 Karl Circle, #3,
223-3320
3 stars
Cabot
Cabot School Preschool
25 Common Road,
563-2289
5 stars
Washington Northeast District After School Program Cabot
25 Common Road,
426-3213, ext. 208
1 star
East Montpelier
East Montpelier Elementary Preschool
665 Vincent Flats Road, 223-7936
5 stars
Happy Hearts
Child Care
1205 Towne Hill Road, 229-9489
3 stars
Orchard Valley Waldorf School Child's Garden
2290 Route 14N,
456-7400
3 stars
Orchard Valley Waldorf After School Program
2290 Route 14N, 456-7400
3 stars
Fayston
Fayston Elementary School Preschool
782 German Flats Road, 496-3636
3 stars
Moretown
Moretown Elementary School Preschool Program
940 Route 100B,
496-3722
4 stars
Precious Moments Nursery School
20 Route 100 South, 496-4516
2 stars
Northfield
Boys and Girls Club of the White River Valley After School Program @ Northfield
10 Cross Street,
728-3332
2 stars
Northfield Early Education Program
10 Cross Street,
485-3143
4 stars
Plainfield
Twinfield Union School — After School Program
106 Naismith Brook Road, 426-3213,
ext. 208
2 stars
Twinfield Union Preschool
106 Nasmith Brook Road, 426-3213,
ext. 270
5 stars
Washington Central Supervisory Union Early Education
321 Lightning Ridge Road, 454-7777
5 stars
Waitsfield
The Learning Tree
177 York Drive,
496-3812
3 stars
Spring Hill School
63 Spring Hill Road, 496-2139
5 stars
The Waitsfield Children's Center
Founder's Hall,
6307 Main Street,
496-3372
5 stars
Warren
Warren KPAS
293 School Road,
496-2487
4 stars
Warren School
Pre-K Class
293 School Road,
496-2487
4 stars
Worcester
Rumney Memorial Preschool Kindergarten @ Doty Elementary
Doty Elementary School, 24 Calais Road, 223-5429
5 stars
Washington Central Early Education Program
Doty Elementary School, 24 Calais Road, 223-5656
5 stars
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