Wonders Early Learning
TEACHING CHILDREN THROUGH PLAY IN A NURTURING AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Early Learning Overview
Our two Early Learning Centers are located in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland, and are among the 11% of programs nationwide that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Additionally, our early learning centers each hold an EXCELS level 5, the top rate in Maryland’s quality rating system.
We value the uniqueness of each child. Our early learning programs operate on an understanding that children thrive when they receive individualized care and attention.
Our teams of professional educators and caregivers are flexible and responsive to children’s individual needs. They create safe, fun, and nurturing learning environments and guide children’s discoveries through a range of engaging and stimulating activities that reflect the need for active, sensory-rich exploration.
We provide a daily hot lunch prepared by Good Food Company and healthy morning and afternoon snacks. Monthly lunch and snack menus are shared with families. We collaborate closely with families to support breastfeeding parents and accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
Wonders accepts child care vouchers and subsidies available through state, county, and city financial aid programs. We also participate in FEEA and military employee child care scholarship programs through Child Care Aware. In addition, Wonders offers tuition assistance to eligible families through the Wonders Circle Fund. Learn More by clicking here.
Infants + Toddlers
Infants are not expected to conform to a set schedule: instead, their caregivers use flexible schedules for feeding, diapering, sleeping, and playing to meet each infant’s needs. As the toddlers’ desire for independence increases, we provide them with more and more opportunities to make choices and to interact with their surroundings.
Preschoolers + Pre-K
Preschoolers’ learning is thoughtfully and intentionally supported in the areas of language arts, mathematical thinking, science, social studies, the arts, motor skills, and social-emotional learning. Children learn skills to help them take care of themselves and each other, while preparing them for Kindergarten.
Our Curriculum
Our classrooms implement The Creative Curriculum, a comprehensive, research-based approach that promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. It is based on the principle that children learn best when they actively construct their understanding of their world through through hands-on, project-based investigations. Teachers plan in-depth studies of meaningful topics in which children express themselves through various mediums such as art, dramatic play, and storytelling.
Our teachers use the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment System to document, and then promote, children’s progress in all developmental areas. This system uses in-context observational assessments of these 38 objectives of learning and development. They are aligned with Maryland’s Learning Standards and the Head Start Learning Outcomes Framework. The curriculum’s robust online component contains an extensive family communication and involvement portal so parents can witness their child’s progress and share in the learning.
Connecting with Families
We use Playground, a secure online communication system to provide parents and guardians with daily observations, photos, individualized messages, and daily reports. We keep families informed of classroom and program information through weekly storyboards and monthly newsletters.
Additionally, we believe in providing tools and resources to foster success in school and at home. Our programs partner with the families that we serve to build a community that fosters social-emotional learning and helps parents navigate work-life balance. Throughout the school year, we offer:
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Family fun events such as picnics, parades, and potlucks
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Specialized parent and guardian education workshops
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Consultation and support services through Child Development Consultants, Inc.
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Family Friendly, community-wide service learning projects
We recognize that parent and guardian participation in school experiences support children’s’ learning and growth. Speak with our Program Director for additional ways to be involved throughout the year.
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Room Ambassadors
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Joining us as a guest story reader
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Sharing hobbies and/or work-related Information to help develop community partnerships
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Serving on the Wonders Board of Directors
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Volunteer grant writing
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Volunteering with organized family events throughout the year