About Us
Big Wonder is distinct in its philosophy and methods. We model real solutions for early childhood to make quality care accessible to families, a rewarding profession for teachers, and a magical place of learning for children.
We provide alternative solutions through three unique methods:
As a nonprofit, our mission is to welcome families of diverse economic backgrounds through tuition scholarships.
Scholarships are made possible by Big Wonder’s sliding scale fee model and assistance from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Early Learning Scholarships from the State of Minnesota.
Contact us to learn more about our Scholarships!
1) Accessible to Families of Diverse Incomes
Reggio Emilia & Montessori Approaches
Big Wonder will employ two loved pedagogies: Montessori and Reggio Emilia. Both are child-centric but offer different perspectives. Montessori helps children to develop and master skill sets through purposeful activities with a beginning, middle, and end. Alternatively, Reggio Emilia provokes open-ended inquiry, problem-solving, imagination, and artistic expression through project-based learning.
When mindfully wedded, the two create a brilliant learning landscape for children to grow and thrive in an atmosphere best suited to individual temperaments and learning needs.
2) Innovative Frameworks
We believe teachers are professionals. Big Wonder provides livable wages and benefits that allow teachers to make early childhood education a lifelong profession/
Professional development is rigorous and ongoing. Peer-to-peer coaching allow for the continuous and reflective growth of their professional knowledge and practice.
As an innovative learning community, we continually refine and improve practices and policies in Early Childhood Education. Teachers ar also action researchers- engaging in collaborative action, documentation, reflection, and innovation.
Big Wonder cherishes its teachers and supports them.
3) Teachers are Professionals
Transformative
Learning
Frameworks
Anti-Bias Education
Anit-Bias education is guided by four goals outlined by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olden Edwards:
Positive Identity (I Like Me)
Diversity and Inclusion (I Like You)
Justice (That is not Fair)
Empowerment (We Can Make a Difference)
To learn more about Anti-Bias Education, visit our Blog Article here:
Spiritual Inquiry
What does a child’s spirit need to feel joyful, healthy, and secure?
Big Wonder encourages all questions related to the human experience to be asked. Although non-denominational and non-religious, we recognize that young children begin questioning the big wonders in life. They wonder what their purpose is, the meaning of connection- to each other and to nature, how to use their power, set intentions, and practice mindfulness. As a place where all wonders are open for exploration and inquiry, spiritual inquiry is acceptable here too.
Within this loose framework, spiritual lessons are not taught. Rather, it is a safe space to ponder life’s big wonders. Children are welcome to ask questions and teachers will not shut the questioning down (which teachers will often do out of fear of indoctrination or upsetting the family belief system). Rather, teachers will ask the child’s questions back to them. For example, if a child asks, “What happens when we die?’ The teacher will respond with, “That is a really big question. Everyone has a different idea.. What do you think?”
We recognize that asking big questions is an innate part of being human. Children need safe spaces to ponder, reflect, and question.
Race Consciousness
Big Wonder incorporates an evolving anti-racist framework. We utilize the Arise Framework to cultivate race-conscious early childhood communities.
Through collaboration with community members, we create safe spaces for early childhood educators and administrators to grow professionally, create anti-racist policies, and discuss race with parents and children.
Research shows that children begin predicting behavior based on race as young as toddlerhood. Therefore, it's critical that conversations about race start in early childhood so children become race-conscious and free from prejudice.
The Arise Framework offers strategies and community to support adults as they begin to engage children (3-6 years) in conversations about race. Capacity-raising communities assist administrators, teachers, and families in cultivating learning environments that embody racial equity by nurturing awareness, collaboration, risk-taking, and humility. We place emphasis on empowering children to become agents of change as they learn to implement the skills developed through the framework into their daily lives.
In 2022, The Arise Framework spent a year collecting interviews and documentation about children's beliefs and encounters with race. We also had dozens of interviews and discussions with educators, administrators, and parents to learn their feelings and thoughts about teaching race to young children.
We are excited to continue evolving our Race Conscious Framework this upcoming school year!