Teaching children through play in a nurturing and diverse community
OUR STORY
Our Story
Founded in 1976, our goal was to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families in Chevy Chase. Since then, Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day has expanded from a single center in the basement of All Saints’ Church to multiple Early Learning, Extended Day, and Summer Camp programs in the DC Metropolitan Region. With our mission guiding our work we strive to create a learning community that addresses the needs of children, families, and staff, which we believe creates an environment that encourages agency, creativity, and curiosity.
We are widely acknowledged for our commitment to anti-bias and social justice policies and education and are proud to be an integral part of the community!
Wonders is a nonprofit provider of accredited early childhood education, before/after school, and summer camps with flexible programs for children two months through sixth grade with nine locations in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
About Us
For over 45 years, Wonders has provided a safe, nurturing learning environment parents can trust and depend upon. We are a non-profit provider of accredited early childhood education, before and after school care, and summer camp with flexible programs for children ages two months through sixth grade. We are committed to equity in our teaching practices and organizational policies and we are proud to be an integral part of the community.
Our strong reputation for high-quality programming and professionalism has fueled our strategic growth.
Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental!
Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas. Our curriculum and teaching practices foster children's cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development.
OUR MISSION
To create and advance high quality, diverse educational communities that teach children the foundations of life-long learning and social responsibility.
OUR APPROACH
We create an environment that reflects not only the cultures of the families we serve but the world around us. We believe this validates children’s experiences, teaches the importance of valuing similarities and differences, and builds the connection between home and school.
WONDERS PHILOSOPHY
Wonders believes children develop and learn through play in a nurturing and diverse community. Our mission informs all of our work and guides us in creating safe learning environments and developing deep connections with children and families in our programs. A vital aspect of our program is our commitment to anti-bias and social justice education.
OUR GOALS
We strive to create a learning community that addresses the needs of children, families, and staff, which we believe creates an environment that encourages agency, creativity, and curiosity. The goals guiding our work are:
SOCIAL JUSTICE
To uphold and teach anti-bias and social justice education
RESPECT & RECOGNITION
To invest in our teachers and staff through ongoing professional
development and a work environment that recognizes and respects each person
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
To honor and respect that childhood is a unique period of time
in human development and to value children’s learning through play
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION
To advocate for high quality early care and education
BECOMING A LEADING VOICE
To be a leading voice for nonprofit early care and education programs
WHAT WE OFFER
EARLY LEARNING
2 months - 5 years
Wonders’ early learning programs are designed to nurture each child’s social and emotional development while providing learning experiences that enhance development and help children experience the world around them to prepare them for what’s ahead.
EXTENDED DAY
4 - 12 years
The extended day program offers a time for children to finish homework, read, play or create art. The curriculum is built on these learning areas: language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, personal and social development, physical development and the arts.
Wonders summer camp programs utilize educational and engaging themes that we know campers will love! Our dynamic environment is designed to promote curiosity and creativity while making friends and having fun!
Wonders believes our Early Learning + Extended Day programs support the workforce of today while building the workforce of tomorrow. For 45 years Wonders has been providing a safe, nurturing learning environment parents can trust and depend upon.
