Parent Resources - Little Sunshine's Playhouse

April 20, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: The Classroom is the Third Teacher

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Walk into a Reggio Emilia daycare or preschool and you will notice something immediately: the space itself feels alive. Natural materials, thoughtful lighting, children’s artwork on the walls…every detail is intentional. This is the principle of the environment as the “third teacher.” In the Reggio Emilia approach, […]

April 14, 2026

What Does a Reggio Emilia Nursery Look Like?

When families begin searching for an infant daycare near me, they’re often looking for more than just a safe place for their child. They’re looking for a nurturing environment where their baby is seen, valued, and supported from the very beginning. More than anything, they’re looking for care that gives them peace of mind. At […]

March 18, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children Are Natural Communicators

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning From the moment they enter the world, children are communicating. Even before strong verbal language develops, children are constantly expressing ideas, feelings, and discoveries. Communication is one of the most natural parts of early childhood. In a Reggio Emilia preschool, this understanding forms an essential foundation of […]

February 23, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: How Learning Thrives Through Collaboration

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Hello, I’m Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. As a longtime Reggio Emilia–inspired educator, I’ve spent much of my career observing how children make meaning together, through shared questions, collective problem-solving, and moments of genuine connection. Collaboration has always been one of […]

February 18, 2026

Reggio vs Montessori: Understanding Two Popular Preschool Approaches

Choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming. There are tours to schedule, questions to ask, and—perhaps most confusing of all—educational philosophies to compare. Two names parents often encounter are Reggio Emilia and Montessori. While both approaches are respected, research-informed, and centered on children, they differ in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering Reggio vs […]

January 29, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Walk into a thoughtfully designed Reggio Emilia preschool, and one thing becomes immediately clear: children are not sitting quietly waiting to be told what to do next. They are moving, wondering, questioning, building, negotiating, experimenting, and—yes—sometimes making a mess. This is not accidental. It is foundational. As […]

January 21, 2026

Welcoming Stephanie Rino as Our Director of Curriculum and Learning

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, curriculum is not something that lives on paper alone. It lives in the questions children ask, the materials they return to again and again, the moments of connection between teachers and families, and the quiet pride educators feel when they see learning unfold in unexpected ways. That is why we are […]

December 8, 2025

The LSP Difference: What Exceptional Preschool Programs Do Differently

Choosing the right preschool program is one of the biggest decisions parents make during the early years of their child’s life. This first school experience helps shape how a child views learning, friendships, and even their sense of independence. And with so many types of preschool programs available, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the […]

September 9, 2025

A Peek Inside Little Sunshine’s Playhouse’s Inspiring Curriculum

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, our classrooms are more than spaces for learning. They’re vibrant communities where curiosity is celebrated, imaginations flourish, and children feel empowered to explore the world around them. For more than 20 years, our proprietary curriculum has been intentionally planned with care and expertise to stand apart. Each month, it captures hearts […]