Our Story
Sunshine didn't start with a business plan. It started with a homesick college student and a stack of letters. As a teenager, Sara Schreiner worked her way up at a local childcare center, after-school helper, lead teacher, assistant director, and simply fell in love with the work. She was good at it, too. So when she left for college in Bozeman to study early childhood development, the families back home started writing to her: 'We miss you, Miss Sara. We wish you'd come back.' One night in her studio apartment, she called her dad and admitted the thing she couldn't shake, I know I could run that center, and I know I could do it even better. His advice was simple: call the owner. She did. And the owner said, 'Sara, you're never going to believe it, I just listed the center for sale today.' In 2004, with her parents mentoring her every step, Sara jumped in with both feet, finishing not one but two degrees, and later her Parenting Coach certification, while she learned to run a business on the fly.
Right at that same beginning, she met Greg, a handsome Air Force guy, home on leave, who'd grown up watching his own mom run an in-home daycare and had sworn his wife would never do childcare. Life had other plans. While Sara ran sixty-hour weeks at the center, Greg drove home from his post in Cheyenne every weekend to build, fix, and problem-solve right alongside her. Before long they were married, he was out of the military and all in, and the two of them were running Sunshine together, equal partners in something neither could have built alone. They ran it with Sara's parents for ten years, until her mom and dad retired.
For those early years, Sunshine was all about the kids, being the very best care around. Then Sara and Greg became parents themselves. And on her first morning dropping their own daughter off, at a school she had built, with teachers she had personally hired, vetted, and trained, Sara bawled like a baby. The mom-guilt was real, and it taught her something no credential could: just how hard that goodbye is for every parent who walks through the door.
That was the turning point. Sunshine's mission grew from providing great childcare into something bigger, giving parents peace of mind. Because when a parent's mind is at ease, they show up fully: present at work, lighter at home, and truly there for their kids at the end of the day. The greatest gift we can give a child is a world where their parents are supported and present. Parents matter most, so we build everything around them.
That's still the heart of it, for the families we serve and for the teachers who choose to build their careers here. Today The Sunshine Academy is parent-owned and operated across three Montana locations: two in Laurel and one in Billings. It began with one girl who couldn't stay away, and grew into a place she and Greg built into somewhere no family, and no great teacher, wants to leave.
Mission, Vision, Philosophy
Mission
Giving parents peace of mind, by keeping every child safe, seen, and cared for, and by helping each one grow curious, competent, and kind.
Vision
To be the most trusted childcare and early learning center in Montana, the place families recommend to their closest friends, and where teachers build lasting, meaningful careers.
Philosophy
Children learn best through hands-on play, warm relationships, and steady routines they can count on. Our approach is grounded in tried-and-true child development, clear expectations, consistency, and real connection, and in more than twenty years of watching what actually helps children thrive. We keep screen time under 5% of the day (some programs are entirely screen-free) and favor honest, practical care over buzzwords. We're not here to knock every new idea; we simply trust long-term, well-supported practices over whatever happens to be trending this year. The result is children who come home regulated, curious, and proud of what they did today, and parents who trust exactly how they got there.
Somewhere along the way, parenting got lonely. Parents reach for Google at 2 a.m. instead of a person who's been there, and Google always hands back the worst-case answer. The Sunshine Academy is built to give that village back. When you join us, you're not just enrolling your child; you're stepping into a community of parents and teachers walking the same road, plus a team led by a certified Parenting Coach in your corner. That's the difference between a place that watches your kids and a place that helps your whole family thrive.
The people behind Sunshine
Sara Schreiner
CEO & Founder
Sara, CEO and Founder, is a certified Parenting Coach who currently serves as Chair of the Montana Apprenticeship Advisory Council and sits on the State Workforce Innovation Board. She has spoken at national conferences, including the Directors Cohort Schools of Excellence, and mentors through the Zero to Five business accelerator program.
Greg Schreiner
Co-Owner & Co-Operator
Greg was a structural engineer in the Air Force before he ever set foot in a classroom. He came in as a builder and a fixer, but what he really brought was a standard. He took ownership of the physical side of the school: the buildings, the safety systems, the contractors, and the condition of every room a child walks into, and refuses to let 'good enough' be good enough. Sara leads the mission, the people, and the vision; Greg makes sure the places that mission happens in are safe, sound, and cared for.
Industry awards earned by The Sunshine Academy and its team
Montana Director of the Year
Montana Preschool Teacher of the Year
Montana Infant/Toddler Teacher of the Year
Families we serve
I can't rave enough about The Sunshine Academy. Our daughter has grown exponentially since enrolling and absolutely loves school. She surprises us every day with new songs, artwork, and topics about the day. The staff has always been kind and communicated well. I recommend Sunshine to all of my friends and family.
We absolutely love The Sunshine Academy. Our son has been attending for the past year, and we couldn't be happier with the care he receives. The staff is kind, attentive, and truly treats the kids like family. It is so comforting to know he is in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment while we're at work. His development has grown by leaps and bounds, socially, emotionally, and academically. The communication from the staff is excellent, and we always feel informed and involved. We are so grateful to have found The Sunshine Academy and highly recommend it to any family looking for high-quality childcare.
My daughter (six) went to summer camp this past summer, full-time, because I had gotten a new job. She loved it and had "the best summer ever." I actually got in trouble with her if I picked her up early! She made friends with all the kids and teachers. Experienced, educated teachers were always there to lead the way, but even the young summer hires were engaging and made sure each kid was included in the friendship environment of Sunshine. My son (now twelve) went to Sunshine from ages two to five. He had a great experience there as well and still has strong friendships with the kids he went there with, and the teachers who cared for him. Great place!