Business Details
Quality Preschool & Child Care Services in Tucson
Sonshine Preschool has been dedicated to early childhood education since 1997, offering structured programs for children aged 15 months to 5 years. Our curriculum emphasizes emotional, social, and academic development through nurturing relationships and creative learning environments. We maintain a 5-star Quality First rating, reflecting our commitment to research-backed teaching practices and professional growth for staff. With flexible scheduling options including full-day and extended-day programs, we cater to diverse family needs while following the Tucson Unified School District calendar. Our experienced team, including educators with decades of service, prioritizes individualized attention and community-building.We partner with parents to ensure children arrive at school healthy, motivated, and equipped with foundational skills for lifelong success. Our facility features age-specific classrooms and structured activities that stimulate cognitive and physical development. Regular feedback mechanisms keep families informed about their child's progress. Summer camp programs maintain educational continuity during school breaks. Tuition structures and registration processes are designed for transparency and accessibility.
Services
Busy Bees Class
Fireflies Class
Ladybugs Class
Butterflies Pre-K
Summer Camp Program
Parent Education
Flexible Scheduling
Quality First Accreditation
Highlights and features
- We maintain Arizona's highest Quality First 5-star rating for early education
- Our staff includes educators with 15-28 years of preschool teaching experience
- We offer structured programs aligned with kindergarten readiness standards
- Flexible scheduling options accommodate working families' needs
- Our curriculum combines academic fundamentals with creative exploration
Associations and certifications
- Quality First
What people say
Experienced teachers
Structured curriculum
Nurturing environment
Parent communication
Kindergarten readiness
Services
Busy Bees Class
Our Busy Bees class serves children aged 15 months to 3 years, focusing on motor skill development and social interaction through play-based learning. Certified educators implement age-appropriate activities that stimulate sensory exploration and language acquisition. The curriculum prepares toddlers for structured classroom environments while respecting individual developmental timelines.
Fireflies Class
Designed for children aged 2-3 years, the Fireflies program emphasizes potty training support and foundational learning concepts. Small group activities promote cooperation and emotional regulation. Our educators use storytelling and creative play to introduce early literacy and numeracy skills in a nurturing environment.
Ladybugs Class
The Ladybugs class provides structured preschool education for fully potty-trained 3-year-olds. Daily routines include circle time, STEM activities, and outdoor play. Our curriculum develops listening skills, letter recognition, and basic math concepts through hands-on projects aligned with Arizona early learning standards.
Butterflies Pre-K
Our Butterflies Pre-K program prepares 4-5 year-olds for kindergarten success through advanced literacy, mathematics, and social studies units. Certified teachers implement individualized learning plans while fostering independence. The classroom environment features literacy centers, science experiments, and collaborative projects that build confidence and academic readiness.
Summer Camp Program
The seven-week summer program maintains educational continuity while offering age-appropriate recreational activities. Themed weeks incorporate art, music, and physical development through structured play. Extended hours from 7:30am-4:30pm accommodate working families while maintaining preschool routines and learning objectives.
People
Joanne Castillo
Director and Ladybugs Teacher
With 28 years of experience, Joanne serves as Director and part-time Ladybugs Teacher. She transitioned from assistant director to leadership in 2023 while maintaining classroom involvement. Her practical approach combines administrative oversight with direct teaching responsibilities.
Amanda Banwart
Assistant Director
Amanda has served as Assistant Director since 2015, managing office operations while building family relationships. She began her Sonshine journey in 2011 as a teaching assistant, developing expertise in early childhood administrative systems and parent communication protocols.
Mary Montes
Butterflies Teacher
Mary brings 15 years of public school kindergarten experience to her role as Butterflies Teacher. A Sonshine parent since 2014, she combines formal education background with practical understanding of the program's philosophy and community expectations.
Julie Moten
Ladybugs Teacher
Julie holds a University of Arizona degree and has taught at Sonshine for 27+ years. Her expertise in toddler development informs curriculum design for the Ladybugs class. She maintains strong connections with Tucson families through multi-generational teaching experiences.
Nilza Pesqueira
Butterflies Teacher
Nilza applies her Educational Sciences degree and preschool/kindergarten expertise to the Butterflies classroom. With four years at Sonshine, she contributes bilingual capabilities and family-oriented teaching methods that align with the program's developmental focus.
Questions
What age requirements must children meet for enrollment?
Children must be 15 months old by August 31st and walking for toddler classes, with specific age ranges for each program level up to 5 years old.
Does Sonshine offer part-time preschool options?
We provide three scheduling options: Preschool Hours (8:45am-12:00pm), Extended Day (8:00am-2:45pm), and Full Day (7:30am-5:30pm) programs.
How does Sonshine prepare children for kindergarten?
Our curriculum focuses on emotional regulation, academic fundamentals, and social skills through structured activities aligned with Arizona early learning standards and Quality First guidelines.
Are there extended care options outside regular preschool hours?
Yes, we offer additional hourly care before 8:45am and after 12:00pm at $10.00 per hour, with summer camp extending until 4:30pm.
What accreditation does Sonshine hold?
We maintain Arizona's highest Quality First 5-star rating, demonstrating our commitment to research-backed teaching practices and professional development.
How does Sonshine communicate with parents?
Regular feedback mechanisms include parent-teacher conferences, developmental progress reports, and open communication channels with classroom educators and administrators.
