Slava Volman: Licensed Childcare Professional

Slava Volman has owned and operated the Shooting Stars Daycare since 1993. Slava runs the facility based on the idea that children, of all ages, deserve intellectually stimulating and fun programs. Slava believes that many daycare centers act simply as babysitting services. They stick children in front of the TV, or let them play with video games all day. Shooting Stars Daycare operates quite differently from these types of facilities. Slava takes great pride in the curriculum his daycare offers.

Slava creates “theme days” for the children, where they get to experience different fields. One day, the group will become scientists, mixing “potions” of food coloring and water. The next day they’re archeologists as they dig for “bones” in the backyard. This gives the children a hands-on experience that’s fun and also educational.

Field trips act as a big part of the Shooting Stars Daycare curriculum. Slava and the children will frequently go to zoos and local animal shelters. On these outings, the kids get to interact with the animals on an up-close and personal level. They learn about proper care and treatment of all different kinds of animals. These trips are important to Slava, who places a high value on animal rights and wants the kids to learn these lessons at an early age.

Slava keeps his daycare facility stocked with toys and books that appeal to the varying ages of his group. He also has toys that all the kids can play with, together, because he feels that this type of group unity is important.

Slava Volman also understands that healthy nutrition is an extremely important part of the daycare experience. While serving frozen foods like chicken nuggets and pizza would make mealtime easier, Slava firmly believes in the importance of providing the children with fresh, homemade meals free of processed ingredients. Slava and his wife make healthy meals and snacks for each child who attends the Shooting Stars Daycare.

Much of Slava’s daycare philosophies come from his years spent as a teacher. Before opening Shooting Stars Daycare, Slava spent decades as a Kindergarten teacher. Slava loved his job and, in turn, was beloved by students, their parents and administrators.

Slava brought energy, enthusiasm and patience to his classroom. Much like at his daycare, he believed in establishing traditions and rituals that his students could look forward to. He also felt that this helped with discipline.

As a teacher, Slava Volman began each day with a Morning Meeting where he gave clues to reveal that day’s Line Leader. The Line Leader was a coveted title, which allowed that student to lead his or her classmates to and from that day’s activities. The student also got to wear a paper crown. Since the title was chosen based on good behavior, discipline problems were few and far between in Slava’s class.

Other classroom traditions included the “Friday Song”, where Slava and the students danced to an upbeat pop song every Friday to celebrate the end of another successful week at school. Students also enjoyed hearing Slava make up a story that lacked an ending. They then got to create their own end to the tale and recite it to the rest of the class.

In Slava’s class, good behavior was rewarded with a sticker. A chart full of stickers bought small toys and treats that the children looked forward to with eager anticipation. This method seemed to work, encouraging positive participation.  After seeing how well the system worked, other teachers began to implement this strategy in their own classrooms.

Slava eventually took on double duty at his school. When budget cuts hit, the school was in desperate need of someone to oversee the afterschool childcare program. Slava eagerly accepted the role. Though it was extra work, he enjoyed getting to care for kids of all ages as he provided them with fun activities and healthy snacks.

This experience is what first sparked Slava’s interest in the daycare field. He enjoyed working with diverse age groups in a more relaxed setting. As budget cuts continued to occur around him, Slava decided to go after his dream of opening a daycare. This would allow him to work with children, but he would have more control over his own future because he would own his own business.

Slava Volman: Founder of Shooting Stars Daycare

Slava Volman conducted extensive research about daycare facilities both in his area and around the country. He researched state requirements and licensing requirements. He also looked into what made a popular daycare center so popular. He talked to friends and family members who had children in daycare and asked them what they loved about their provider.

After getting helpful answers, Slava knew he was ready to start his own daycare service. He announced that that this year of teaching was his last and set his plans in motion. The school district, his students, and their parents were sad to see him go; however, they supported him in his new venture.

Shooting Stars Daycare started small, with only a handful of children. However, high praise and word of mouth recommendations quickly gained Slava new business. Parents knew he was enthusiastic, gentle, and cared about providing kids with an educational yet fun experience. He was invested in the kids and their future. This was no “sit in front of the TV” daycare center.

This reputation made Shooting Stars Daycare grow quickly. Soon, it became clear that they needed a bigger space. That’s how Shooting Stars Daycare ended up in its current location, just a few minutes down the road from Slava and Meredith’s home. The new facility gave the children plenty of space to run and play. It’s beautifully decorated with neon numbers and letters, and has vivid pictures of animals on the walls. This building still serves as the perfect space for a growing daycare business.

Slava Volman is a licensed daycare provider and teacher who owns and operates the Shooting Stars Daycare. Slava Volman believes that daycare should enrich children’s lives. Slava Volman focuses on providing a well-developed curriculum and nutritious meals for the children at his daycare.