Meet the Owner
Hi Familes! I'm Heather Schuster, a mom of five, with over 30 years of child care experience! For the past almost 7 years, I have been creating spaces where children flourish, and now I have the opportunity build something truly extraordinary from he ground up.
I am opening a brand new daycare in the spring of 2026 and my vision is for it to be unlike anything you've ever seen! Tucked away on four beautiful acres in the heart of Saint John, Indiana this isn't just another daycare - it's a space designed specifically for learning and growing in an environment that feels like a home away from home.
Quick Glances
Our Vision
Our vision is to create something truly special: an early learning environment unlike anything else in our area! We are reimagining what childcare can be by blending strong academics with the warmth and comfort of a loving, home-like setting. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, nurtured, and inspired. That’s why every detail of our center is designed with purpose. From cozy, individual crib nooks that allow our infants to rest peacefully, to thoughtfully built-in lofts and play structures that spark creativity, exploration, and discovery. Our program emphasizes both heart and mind. We focus on building a strong academic foundation through play-based learning and hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and confidence. At the same time, we cultivate emotional growth, social connection, and a sense of belonging that feels like family. As we grow, we’re excited to expand our vision beyond the classroom. Our outdoor Nature Academy will give children the chance to learn from the world around them; through gardening, nature exploration, and outdoor projects that teach responsibility, patience, and wonder. And in the future, we plan to open an Academy for Kindergarten and beyond, continuing our mission to provide exceptional education in an environment that feels like home. We’re not just building a daycare, we’re building a community where parents and families can connect, share, and grow together. Through thoughtfully planned events for moms, parents, and families, we foster meaningful relationships and a true sense of belonging that extends far beyond our walls. We cant wait to show you what we are creating and would love the opportunity to have you join our daycare family!
Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate, dedicated, and nurturing individuals who go above and beyond to create a warm, safe, and engaging environment for every child who walks through our doors. Whether it’s offering a comforting hug, encouraging a first step, planning fun and educational activities, or simply being a consistent and loving presence — they do it all with patience, kindness, and heart. The relationships our staff build with the children and families here are the foundation of everything we do. They work tirelessly to support not only your child’s development but also their happiness and sense of security. We see the small moments every day — the high-fives, the words of encouragement, the laughter, the gentle guidance — and they all add up to something big: a place where your child feels known, cared for, and truly loved. We strive to continue these high standards into The Schoolhouse when it opens!
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed for each age group, allowing every child to thrive and learn in ways that best suit their developmental needs. It exceeds expected learning standards, ensuring that no matter which program your child is in, they are advancing beyond age-level expectations. Our Tiny Tots (12-24 months) and Early Explorers (24-36 months) enjoy daily lessons that focus on literacy, math, art, and fine or gross motor skills. Preschool curriculum (3-5 year olds) builds on these foundations with lessons in literacy, math, handwriting, and a weekly focus theme. Additionally, these classes are split into three academic groups so your child will be challenged at an appropriate level and supported in areas where they are still developing and will be continuously engaged and advancing according to their individual learning needs. All of our programs also include a wide variety of engaging rotations such as science, social studies, PE, art, sensory exploration, theater arts, music, cooking, life skills, and foreign languages. At the end of each week, we send out a “Peek at the Week” — a brief overview of each class’s academic and developmental focuses, along with a note from your child’s teacher. We structure each day to balance child-led learning (similar to the Montessori method) with small-group, teacher-guided instruction, and a Reggio-Amelia approach. Child-led learning helps foster independence, empathy, and a lifelong love of discovery. However, since most Kindergarten classrooms emphasize teacher-centered learning, we also include structured group activities to ensure that children are confident and well-prepared for their transition to school. Top that off with the benefits of the Reggio-Amelia approach where children as capable, curious learners and emphasizes hands-on exploration, collaboration, and learning through real-world experiences. This approach nurtures critical thinking, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Combining these three approaches together gives your child the best of all worlds in education. Our Preschool program also offers reading groups for children who show reading readiness. These small groups spend 10–15 minutes with a teacher practicing advanced sight words, reading Level A–E books, and engaging in reading comprehension activities. During circle time, all age groups review key concepts such as color and shape recognition, memorizing the ABCs, counting to 20, counting by tens, and learning the days of the week in both English and Spanish — and much more! We are continually inspired by our students’ curiosity, growth, and remarkable achievements each day.
Exploring our Curriculum in Detail
Montessori
Montessori-inspired practices are woven throughout our program to support independence, focus, and confidence. Children are encouraged to make choices, work at their own pace, and engage in hands-on experiences that build practical life skills and cognitive development. Carefully prepared environments and materials invite exploration, problem-solving, and a sense of ownership over learning. Teachers provide thoughtful guidance that nurtures responsibility, persistence, and confidence in each child’s abilities. These practices complement our Reggio-inspired approach by balancing structure with creativity and independence with collaboration. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, nurtured, and inspired. That’s why every detail of our center is designed with purpose. From cozy, individual crib nooks that allow our infants to rest peacefully, to thoughtfully built-in lofts and play structures that spark creativity, exploration, and discovery. Our program emphasizes both heart and mind. We focus on building a strong academic foundation through play-based learning and hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and confidence. At the same time, we cultivate emotional growth, social connection, and a sense of belonging that feels like family. As we grow, we’re excited to expand our vision beyond the classroom. Our outdoor Nature Academy will give children the chance to learn from the world around them; through gardening, nature exploration, and outdoor projects that teach responsibility, patience, and wonder. And in the future, we plan to open an Academy for Kindergarten and beyond, continuing our mission to provide exceptional education in an environment that feels like home. We’re not just building a daycare, we’re building a community where parents and families can connect, share, and grow together. Through thoughtfully planned events for moms, parents, and families, we foster meaningful relationships and a true sense of belonging that extends far beyond our walls. We cant wait to show you what we are creating and would love the opportunity to have you join our daycare family!
Reggio Emelia
At The Schoolhouse, our Reggio Emilia–inspired approach views children as capable, curious, and full of ideas. Learning is guided by children’s interests and supported through hands-on exploration, meaningful relationships, and thoughtful observation. Teachers listen closely, follow children’s questions, and design experiences that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Our classrooms are intentionally designed to feel calm, inviting, and engaging, with materials displayed at child level to inspire exploration. The environment is considered a “third teacher,” supporting learning through natural materials, open-ended experiences, and rich interactions. As children grow, their learning becomes more complex — but their curiosity always leads the way. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, nurtured, and inspired. That’s why every detail of our center is designed with purpose. From cozy, individual crib nooks that allow our infants to rest peacefully, to thoughtfully built-in lofts and play structures that spark creativity, exploration, and discovery. Our program emphasizes both heart and mind. We focus on building a strong academic foundation through play-based learning and hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and confidence. At the same time, we cultivate emotional growth, social connection, and a sense of belonging that feels like family. As we grow, we’re excited to expand our vision beyond the classroom. Our outdoor Nature Academy will give children the chance to learn from the world around them; through gardening, nature exploration, and outdoor projects that teach responsibility, patience, and wonder. And in the future, we plan to open an Academy for Kindergarten and beyond, continuing our mission to provide exceptional education in an environment that feels like home. We’re not just building a daycare, we’re building a community where parents and families can connect, share, and grow together. Through thoughtfully planned events for moms, parents, and families, we foster meaningful relationships and a true sense of belonging that extends far beyond our walls. We cant wait to show you what we are creating and would love the opportunity to have you join our daycare family!
Developmental Feedback
At The Schoolhouse, open and responsive communication with families is a top priority. We stay connected through our daycare text thread, where teachers and administration strive to respond quickly—typically within five minutes during daycare hours—so families feel informed, supported, and at ease throughout the day. In addition to daily communication, families receive a monthly newsletter that includes our activity calendar, upcoming events, and the classroom menu for the month ahead. We also share a weekly Peek of the Week, offering a closer look into what children are exploring in the classroom and how our curriculum is brought to life through hands-on experiences, projects, and play. Together, these tools help families stay connected to their child’s daily experiences, understand what they are learning, and feel like an active part of our school community. We know families are the first and most important teachers. That’s why we foster strong partnerships through open communication, weekly updates, photos, and shared reflections on your child’s experiences. At The Schoolhouse, we believe communication with families is an essential part of supporting each child’s growth. Through scheduled parent-teacher phone conferences and ongoing developmental feedback, we share meaningful insights about your child’s learning, development, and daily experiences. Teachers use regular observation and documentation to understand each child’s strengths, interests, and areas of growth across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. These conversations allow us to partner with families, celebrate progress, and work together to support each child in a thoughtful, individualized way. We will be offering annual parent-teacher conferences over the phone for all age groups that will give you the opportunity to connect with teachers and discuss your child’s progress and development.
Learning Portfolios
Every child at The Schoolhouse has a personalized learning portfolio that documents their growth, discoveries, and experiences over time. Rooted in Reggio Emilia principles, portfolios make learning visible through photos, teacher observations, artwork, writing samples, and project documentation. These portfolios help teachers reflect on learning, guide curriculum planning, and honor each child’s unique journey.