Ask any parent, and they'll tell you time surely speeds up once kids enter the picture. So, one can only imagine how fast it moves for professionals caring for little ones full-time around Malta’s daycare centres, like Rising Stars Childcare Centre. Since it opened nearly two years ago, the centre in San Gwann has become hugely popular with young families, thanks to its extended opening hours that offer much-needed flexibility for parents with busy schedules. The centre reached full capacity quickly and has continued to welcome new faces as others graduate into the school system.

In fact, just recently, Rising Stars celebrated another group of little graduates moving on to kindergarten, marking a key milestone in their young lives. In the months leading up to this transition, the dedicated childcare team has been hard at work helping the children adjust to a more structured routine, easing the shift to school life. As Operations Manager Natoya De Carlo explains, “At Rising Stars, we carefully adapt our approach to the different ages and stages of the children. When we know they're about to start Kinder, we introduce a routine with set mealtimes and shorter nap periods. This helps make the move smoother, so it feels like a natural progression rather than an abrupt change.”

The graduation party itself is a special milestone for the centre, parents, and kids alike, celebrating each child's journey. This year, the team pulled out all the stops with a bouncy castle, entertainment, and even a few fireworks. “We spend so much time with these kids that it's bittersweet when they move on,” shares Natoya. “But these parties are a wonderful way to celebrate the time we've had together. It's also a special moment for parents. Life can get so busy, but it's important to pause and appreciate these milestones. Watching the kids grow and develop is something worth celebrating.”

Looking back on their child’s time with the Rising Stars team, one parent shares: “Rising Stars has really been a second home for Lisa. She was loved and cared for and was taught new skills. As parents, we were always involved to whatever was happening at the nursery as it was very easy to communicate with both management and carers”

Another parent explains that: “As a parent, finding the right child care centre was one of the most important decisions I had to make, and I am so glad we chose Rising Stars child care centre. The carers are truly amazing. They are warm, patient,and genuinely care about the wellbeing and development of each child. Ethan always tells us how much he enjoys interacting with the staff, which gives us peace of mind knowing he’s in good hands.”

Now that the latest group of 22 children have graduated to kindergarten, there’s little downtime at Rising Stars as the team gets ready to welcome new faces in the centre. A key ingredient to their quick-found success lies in their creative use of a beloved cartoon dog mascot, Stella.

“Stella has been a huge hit with all the kids,” says Natoya. “She’s become a central part of our learning environment. We’ve even created a series of picture books based on her adventures, helping the children form a connection with her while they learn.” Building on Stella's popularity, the team has designed personalised bags and stationery for the kids featuring the lovable canine, and plans are in the works to create a soft toy version, so they can even take her home should they wish. “We feel that Stella adds a fun and comforting element to the children's daily routines, making their time with us even more engaging and memorable.”

Naturally, Stella continues to be an important figure to welcome new kids and help them settle in. But the team also goes a step further, organising dedicated introductory gatherings designed for both the kids and their parents. “For children, especially those being left with unfamiliar faces outside their immediate family for the first time, it’s important to ease them into their new surroundings,” explains Natoya. “They also need to get comfortable with each other and learn to express their feelings. At such a young age, when they can't yet speak, their instinct might be to cry. But when they see their peers happy and playing, it helps them adjust more quickly.”

Interestingly, these introductory gatherings have proven just as valuable for parents, especially those leaving their children at a childcare centre for the first time. “We’ve seen parents connect and find mutual support at these meetings. What’s more, we often invite parents who have already been through the experience with us to share their perspectives,” says Natoya. “They can offer real insights into how they coped and what life is like at the centre, helping to put newcomers at ease. It’s also helped create a sense of community at Rising Stars among parents and the team, where we provide reassurance and build trust together.”

Lisa’s parents were impressed with this collaborative approach between carers and parents: “Something that really struck us was that the Rising Stars team were always asking us how best to help Lisa as regards her speech and other skills, which were a bit delayed due to her condition, as they wanted to do their utmost to help her succeed. And they did!

Ethan’s parents echo similar sentiments: “I think it’s important to share with other parents how the Rising Stars team has been very understanding of my child's needs and have gone above and beyond to make accommodations when necessary. I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a trustworthy and nurturing environment for their child.”

This year, in addition to enhancing their welcoming approach, Rising Stars is planning a calendar packed with more outings and activities for the children, aiming to build on their recent industry accolades, including an award for Best Educational, Practical & Friendly Ambience Childcare Development Centre of the Year.

“We're fortunate to have a long waiting list, which is encouraging as it shows that parents truly believe in our service and approach to childcare,” says Natoya. “But we still encourage any parents who are interested to reach out by phone or email. We’re happy to schedule an in-person visit so they can experience life at Rising Stars and explore our facilities firsthand. Then we guide them through the entire enrolment process. We look forward to welcoming even more little ones into our Rising Stars family.”