This is Avery!

Founded as Rich Family Day Care Home in October 1990, our organization has been dedicated to serving families in Sonoma County for over three decades. In 1992, we expanded our offerings to include a large family day care home, a full preschool program, and a K-12 homeschool initiative under the name Paideia Educational Heritage.

In 2017, our community faced a devastating challenge when a county-wide firestorm destroyed the original Rich Family Day Care Home. Unable to operate in the same capacity, we were granted a six-month temporary waiver to continue services at the home of another licensed provider. As this waiver neared its expiration, we saw an opportunity to rebuild and relaunch our program, this time as a licensed childcare center.

On April 2, 2018, we proudly unveiled our new name: Santa Rosa Rise and Shine Child Care Center, focusing on infants and toddlers aged 2-24 months. Our decision to rename and rebrand was driven by a desire to honor our community's strength and resilience, while highlighting our determination to overcome the adversity we had faced.

In spring of 2018, Santa Rosa Rise and Shine was awarded a facility grant from First 5 Sonoma County. It took two years of hard work and dedication to secure a permanent facility, which opened in 2020 on the campus of Santa Rosa Nazarene Church and Happy Time Preschool—during the challenging and uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2022, we expanded further, opening a second location in the Junior College District. This milestone marked a new chapter in our journey of growth and service to the community.

In early 2023, in recognition of our expanded mission and services, Santa Rosa Rise and Shine Child Care Center officially became Rise and Shine Child Care Centers & Family Services Agency. This change reflects our broader commitment to supporting families through high-quality childcare, as well as offering financial assistance and additional resources to eligible families facing economic challenges.

For 34 years, we have been steadfast in our mission to provide a nurturing environment where infants and toddlers can thrive, benefiting from stability, structure, and care. Our commitment to high standards ensures that every child in our care is safe, healthy, and prepared for future success. 

We continue to work closely with community partners and resources to provide families with the support they need during these challenging times.

We are proud to serve families with children aged 2-24 months and look forward to continuing our legacy of excellence in childcare and family services for years to come.