Our Classes

Why Do a Second Year at Little Wonders?

Families with younger children have the opportunity to attend Little Wonders for a second year and enjoy the continued benefits of the Little Wonders community. We have found that children who attend Little Wonders for two years transition very well into traditional preschool programs.

Classes of parents and children, grouped by age, meet once a week for two hours. Age groups and class times are structured around the changing needs (skills, interests, naps, etc.) of the children at various stages of development. Children develop dramatically during these early years and we plan our classroom activities, as well as our parent discussion topics, to be age-appropriate and grow with your child.

  • Younger children (9-21 months) attend our morning classes from 9–11am.
  • Older children (20-33 months) meet from 11:30am–1:30pm, and these classes include lunch.
  • A Baby class for children 8-13 months old is held in the late afternoon from 2:30–4:30pm.
  • A Saturday class for children 16-30 months old is held from 9:30–11:30am.
  • An Alumni class for parents-only with children ages 3-5 (preschool through K) and offered exclusively to Little Wonders Alumni. There is no school job or wash requirement for this class.

View the class schedule for more on age groups and class times.

children A variety of age appropriate play stations (e.g., dress-up, sand table, art), toys and materials are set out, and children are free to move from one activity to another – indoors or out – as their curiosity dictates. In addition to being fun, these explorations and interactions promote the children’s emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development.

The teacher moves throughout the class, interacting with the children and initiating activities.

Everyone meets together as a group twice during each class for story/music time, and once for snack/lunch time.

parents At each class meeting, parents are either station parents or discussion parents.

  • Station parents manage a specific area or activity with the children, maintaining safety and encouraging and supporting each child’s curiosity and learning. Learn more about classroom stations
  • Discussion parents have time the first half of class to observe and have special time with their child, and connect and share with other parents or the teacher. During the second half of class, discussion parents participate in a teacher facilitated discussion on various age-appropriate parenting issues. These discussions provide parents the opportunity to learn from each other in a supportive and interactive environment.

additional benefits

  • A community of parents and children dedicated to supporting families
  • Optional night classes on topics such as creativity, discipline, CPR, preschool selection, sibling issues, nutrition and relevant parenting issues
  • Family events – Halloween party, school picnic, pajama nights
  • A library of parenting books
  • A bi-monthly newsletter, WonderWords, that includes parenting advice and event information
  • Membership in the San Mateo Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, allowing discounted access to professional counselors on a wide range of family-related issues

“You have a chance to discuss with the teacher and other parents difficult things you might be experiencing. I have gotten wonderful ideas from other parents about things they may have gone through...”

Back to Top