Ms. Shahzoda (Sam) Nasimi – Founder & Director

At Irvine Little Stars, we believe that every child deserves a nurturing, stimulating, and supportive environment to grow and thrive. Our founder and director, Ms. Shahzoda (Sam) Nasimi, has dedicated her life to education and child development. Ms. Shahzoda’s passion for working with children began at just 13 years old, when she started tutoring children in her community. Over the years, she has continued mentoring and tutoring students of all ages, finding joy in guiding young minds toward success. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP) from Brandeis University, with a minor in Legal Studies. Her professional background includes roles at MIT, Fortune 500 companies, and top development firms, where she advanced to a Director of Accounting & Controller position. However, after becoming a mother, she discovered her true calling—early childhood education.

Currently, she is pursuing her MBA at the UCI Paul Merage School of Business and working toward her CPA license. But beyond her professional achievements, her greatest passion is educating, nurturing, and inspiring children. She believes that education has the power to transform lives and has opened her home to provide a safe, loving, and enriching space for the children in her community.

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​​​​​​​Mr. Otabek Madaminov - Co-Founder and Head Coach

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​At Irvine Little Stars, we recognize that a well-rounded education includes not only academics but also physical activity and movement. Children need regular exercise to develop strong bodies, healthy habits, and confidence.​ To support this, we provide Kidokinetics classes (1-2x per week) at no additional cost. These sessions are led by Coach Otabek Madaminov, a tennis professional with 20 years of coaching experience. He runs Otabek Tennis Academy in Los Angeles, Laguna Niguel and Irvine areas. His students have reached the Division 1 (D1) collegiate level, and his expertise in youth sports and movement-based learning ensures that children stay active, engaged, and healthy.

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In addition to academics and physical play, we embrace creativity through music, arts, dancing, and hands-on activities. These experiences help children develop self-expression, confidence, and imagination—key elements in early childhood learning.​​ When you entrust your child to Irvine Little Stars, they become a part of our family. We are committed to providing a loving, safe, and enriching space where your child is not just cared for, but truly nurtured.

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✨ Every child deserves to be loved, encouraged, and supported—just like our own.✨