Organic, home-cooked meals
All our food is organic. Fruit, vegetables and berries come from local farms. We cook breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack fresh every day, so there are no lunchboxes to pack.
Licensed home daycare & preschool in Irvine, CA
Where littleones shine
A warm, small-group home for children 12 months to 5 years. Home-cooked meals, lots of outdoor play, and teachers who know every child by heart.
Every day here has a soundtrack: songs, rhythm & little musicals- Mon–Fri · 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 100% organic food
- Open-door policy
- Bilingual-friendly · EN & RU
- Montessori toys
Every star starts as a tiny seed. We help it grow and shine.
Hello, neighbor!
A real home, not a classroom
We are a licensed family child care home in Irvine, California, offering toddler and preschool care for children from 12 months to 5 years. Children spend the day in a calm, cozy house with a sunny backyard, a small group of friends, and the same caring grown-ups every day.
We believe children learn best through play. When kids feel safe and valued, they grow confident, kind, and curious. So we build self-help skills, friendships, and a love of learning one small moment at a time.
Our goal is to lay the foundation of emotional intelligence. We help children name and understand their feelings, be kind and caring to others, and also learn healthy boundaries: to respect other people's and to calmly protect their own.
“Real childhood is freedom and joy. If they come home a little messy and very happy, we did our job.”
— Founder & lead teacher
Meet our team
The people who care for your child
Evgenia founded Star Seeds to create the kind of daycare she would want for her own child: a warm home full of music, good food and attention to every child.
For four years she worked in social services with orphaned children. That work taught her how much a child needs to feel safe, seen and loved, and this is at the heart of Star Seeds.
She holds a degree in philology, so language, books and storytelling are a big part of our day, in both English and Russian. Music runs in her family: her grandmother devoted 30 years to children's musical theatre, and Evgenia brings that love of music to our children every day through rhythmics. She also leads our morning exercise as a certified yoga instructor, adapted to be gentle and safe for little ones.
Alexandra graduated from Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University with a degree in special education. Before that she trained at a teachers' college as an educator for children with emotional and behavioral challenges. She has worked with children since 2005, including children with motor impairments and children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In the USA she has taught for over 3 years and created her own program for teaching Russian reading and writing to bilingual children.
Her approach is development through movement and sensory integration. Through games and exercises she builds sensory processing, left–right brain coordination, balance, motor planning, attention and self-regulation. Movement and sensory-motor play lay the foundation for speech, thinking and emotional growth. Every activity is matched to the child, including bilingual children and children with special needs.
Andrey, our helping hand
Sometimes Evgenia's wonderful husband Andrey comes to help our teachers. He takes care of all the heavy work around the house, and with his kindness and attention he guides the children in outdoor games and comes up with fun new activities.
Why families choose us
Small things that make a big difference
Small group
A family-size group means more hugs, more attention, and teachers who notice every milestone.
Outdoor play, twice a day
Our backyard is full of fun games and activities. Irvine sunshine does the rest.
Learning every day
Learning activities every morning, arts and workshops every afternoon, all through games, songs and hands-on projects.
Open-door policy
Parents are welcome any time during care hours. We also send updates and photos by text.
Licensed & safe
State-licensed, CPR and First Aid certified, with regular fire and earthquake drills.
Montessori & natural toys
Our toys and materials are Montessori-style and made from natural, organic, non-toxic materials like wood and cotton.
Bilingual-friendly
We speak English and Russian and welcome children from bilingual families. Each child's home language is supported and celebrated.
Safety & hygiene
Safe, clean and calm
Your child's safety comes first. Here is what we do every single day.
- Recording camerasIndoor and outdoor cameras record throughout the day.
- Toys cleaned every dayAll toys and play materials are washed and sanitized daily.
- Sterilized dishesDishes, cups and bottles are sterilized after every use.
- Spotless homeFloors, tables and the bathroom are cleaned several times a day. Shoes stay at the door.
- Only fresh foodMeals are cooked the same day. No leftovers, no reheated food.
- State-licensed homeLicensed by California Community Care Licensing, #304314899.
Music in every day
Our little ones grow up with music
Music is a big part of life at Star Seeds. Our founder, Evgenia Didenko, plays several instruments and is a certified sound facilitator. Music runs in her family of composers: her grandmother, Regina Semyonovna Didenko, devoted 30 years to children's musical theatre.
- Music & rhythm lessonsSinging, movement and real instruments help children feel rhythm and keep the beat.
- Little musical theatreWe stage small musicals together, and children shine on their own little stage.
- Classical music every dayCalm classical music plays during play, art and quiet time.
- Sound sessionsGentle sound activities help children relax, listen and focus.
A day with us
Gentle rhythm, happy kids
Children feel safe when they know what comes next. Our routine bends a little for the weather and the children's interests.
- Arrival & free playearly drop-off from 7:00 am available on request
- Morning exercise
- Breakfast
- Learning activitiesletters, numbers, speech, logic · fruit time at 10:45
- Outdoor play
- Lunch
- Nap timebeds and blankets provided
- Afternoon snack
- Arts & workshops
- Fresh-air walk & a healthy snack
- Pick-up
What's on the plate
Fresh, organic, and never boring
Our meals are very varied: homemade soups, different kinds of porridge, meat and fish dishes like tender cutlets, plus fresh fruit, vegetables and berries. Everything is organic and cooked fresh every day.
We change the menu often and share it in our parents' group a month in advance, so you always know what your child is eating.
Ages & programs
Growing together
Children of different ages play side by side, just like siblings. Little ones learn from the big kids, and big kids learn to be kind leaders.
Seedlings
- First words, songs and sensory play
- Gentle nap and feeding routines
- Walking, climbing, exploring safely
Sprouts
- Potty training together with parents
- Sharing, taking turns, using words
- Art, music and movement every day
Shining Stars
- Letters, numbers and early reading
- Projects, science play and crafts
- Getting ready for kindergarten
More fun with us
Holiday camps & weekend classes
Fun holiday camps
During school breaks our daycare turns into a cheerful camp, with themed weeks, games, crafts, music and lots of time outdoors.
Weekend classes
On weekends we host different classes for children: music and rhythmics, kids yoga, art, cooking, Russian reading and more. Ask us about the current schedule.
Good questions
Parents often ask
What are your hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, all year round. If you need an earlier start, we can consider drop-off from 7:00 am on an individual basis. We close on major holidays and for one week in summer and the winter holidays. You'll get the full holiday calendar at enrollment.
What ages do you accept?
Children from 12 months up to 5 years.
Do I need to pack food?
No food needed. We serve organic breakfast, fruit time, lunch and an afternoon snack. Please bring only water: we recommend getting your child their own insulated water bottle of a good size. If your child has allergies, we'll agree on substitutes and keep a doctor's note on file.
What should my child bring?
Diapers or pull-ups, a change of clothes, slippers for indoors, a sun hat and sunscreen, and a light jacket. A favorite blanket or soft toy for nap time is welcome.
Do you help with potty training?
Yes. We work together with you so your child gets the same routine at home and with us. Pull-ups and easy elastic-waist clothes help a lot.
What if my child is sick?
To keep everyone healthy, children with a fever of 100.4°F or higher, vomiting, diarrhea or a contagious illness stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours. We reserve the right not to accept a child who arrives sick. Please don't take it personally: we do it to protect all the children, including yours.
Can I visit during the day?
Yes, any time while children are in care. We keep an open-door policy, as required by California licensing.
Come say hi
Book a tour
The best way to know if we're the right fit is to visit. Tours take about 20 minutes, and your child is welcome to come along.
Address1 Pamlico, Irvine, CA 92620
Phone & text(720) 205-6166
Emailstarseeds.daycare.oc@gmail.com
State licenseCA Family Child Care · License #304314899