About
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child, there are seven million.
Our Mission
Little Wonder's goal is to create a community-based, quality learning center that inspires children, is responsive to families, and whose decisions are always led by what is
best for each individual child – from the very beginning.
Letter from the Director
Our goal is to develop a progressive and critical thinking program that will challenge the minds of young children while creating a colorful and fun environment. Theme-based learning teaches students a range of skills through different topics and fosters a sense of purpose and community in the classroom. We aim to serve multi-aged groups by offering an exciting range of possibilities to both the students and teachers, including the opportunity to plan activities and organize materials to identify the unique language goals of each group. Themes open up the classroom by bringing the outside world in and spotlighting each child’s real interests. Allow us to welcome you to our community, and to build a lifelong love of learning.
Our Philosophy and Curriculum
What are the differences?
Little Wonder’s difference stems from preserving our core beliefs: passionate teachers, an involved and collaborative school community, diverse and rich curricula for each age group, and thoughtfully constructed classrooms that belong to the children. We work to uphold these values and when they come together, the result is a well-rounded, unrivaled wonder.
Our Team
We prioritize selecting our staff because they represent our center and directly engage with your children. Our team provides the utmost care, love, support, and knowledge, ensuring a nurturing environment for all children.
  • Ms. Josephine Karen Howell
    Program Specialist / Co-Owner

    Hello! I’m Josephine Karen Howell, co-owner and Program Specialist at Little Wonder Learning Center. After working in fashion as an assistant buyer, I found myself drawn to child care as a substitute teacher, where I discovered a true calling. Despite my love for teaching, I felt that most centers lacked a nurturing, thoughtful approach. This inspired me to pursue my vision, of creating childcare centers where children feel loved, secure, and empowered to grow. Little Wonder is more than a business to me—it’s my passion and life’s work.

  • Ms. Hager
    Director

    "Education is invaluable and never loses its worth. Growing up Egyptian, my immigrant parents instilled in me the importance of learning—not just absorbing facts, but applying knowledge meaningfully. Now, as Assistant Director at Little Wonder Learning Center, I’m committed to fostering a nurturing environment where children can grow, explore, and develop a love for learning. Alongside the dedicated team at LWLC, I’m focused on high standards in safety, staff development, and compliance. Outside work, my husband and I are new parents to our beautiful daughter, Serena!"

  • Ms. Kishana
    Head Teacher Infant / Staff Supervisor

    "Hello, I'm Kishana Dodson, head teacher of the infant room at Little Wonder Learning Center. With years of hands-on experience with young children, I am knowledgable in the growth and developmental needs of infant especially. In the classroom our infants engages in sensory-based projects; such as art,

    texture and other visual experiences in a safe and structed environment.


    I recognize the trust parents place in us and am committed to providing exceptional care, ensuring parents' peace of mind. My dedication, experience, and genuine love for working with infants make me a valued member of the LWLC community."

  • Ms. Moriah
    Co-Teacher

    "Hello everyone! I’m Moriah Bates, and I’ve been a childcare professional for the past ten years. As a mom of three, I love spending time with my family and friends. Working with children has taught me patience and the importance of seeing the world through their eyes. Every day, their joy and light lift me up, reminding me that I’m doing something right. Your children truly brighten my day, and I’m grateful to be part of their lives."

  • Ms. Tamia
    Pre-Toddler Teacher

    "My name is Tamia Dodson, and I’m from Ghana. I believe that development and achievement flourish with love, attention, and understanding. Working with children is truly rewarding—I love creating a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels special. I enjoy watching my little ones grow as independent thinkers, while helping them build language, academic, social, and motor skills each day. I’m thrilled to be part of the Little Wonder Learning Center family!"

  • Ms. Michelle
    Head Teacher of 3 Year Old

    "My name is Michelle Talatenchi, and I am the lead teacher of the Grasshopper class at Little Wonder Learning Center. With five years of experience in early childhood and preschool education, I am passionate about nurturing young minds. I believe in fostering a child-centered learning environment that empowers each individual to think creatively and embrace their imagination. I look forward to partnering with you and your children on this exciting journey of growth, exploration, and discovery!"

  • Ms. Shakira
    Floater

    "My name is Shakira Stubbs, and I am the teacher's aide in the infant room at Little Wonder Learning Center. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, I enjoy engaging with children and bringing them joy through hands-on activities. I look forward to being a part of their growth and development."

  • Ms. McCrear
    Substitute

    Ms. McCrear has been a valued member of Little Wonder Learning Center since January 2022. Her calm and gentle demeanor ensures that the children's needs are prioritized, while her playful nature makes her a favorite among them. She also coordinates birthday celebrations, adding a special touch to their experiences. Her dedication, patience, and love for the children are truly appreciated, and we are grateful to have her as an integral part of LWLC.

What our clients say about us
Shanice & Jon-Michael Ennis
Choosing a daycare for the most precious person in your life isn’t an easy experience. But as two working parents, it became an inevitable step in our parenting journey. From the moment we stepped into Little Learning Wonder Center (LWLC), we were impressed by the cleanliness and Ms. Karen’s passion and knowledge about early childhood development. Also, I appreciate the LWLC diversity from the staff to the parents, the appreciation of all backgrounds is evident.

At 18 months old, our son did a trial visit and quickly after we signed up. The LWLC administrators and teachers are responsive, communicative, and attentive. Whenever we pick up our little boy— he is clean and excited to talk about the day’s happenings. In addition, the curriculum there continues to enhance our son. Without a doubt, he will be more than prepared for preschool and beyond. While our time at LWLC is coming to an end, I am grateful to Ms. Karen and the rest of the staff for their role in our son’s early development. If God ever blesses us with another child, LWLC will be the place for our family again.
Nicole McLeod
We recently joined the LWLC community (about 2 months ago) and immediately saw a positive change in our 3-year-old daughter's attitude towards "school." She runs into LWLC, excited to see her friends, teachers, and Ms. Karen. Immediately, we recognized that LWLC is a loving, nurturing, fun, clean, and safe environment for our child - everything we were looking for in a daycare! In addition, she is being challenged and learning daily, whether it is numbers, letters, handwriting, etc. I am impressed with the care and dedication of the teachers and grateful for the environment they create for the kids. Lastly, the other families are amazing - it's great to have a special group of kids together in school everyday.


Brianne Dukes
LWLC is an excellent school! The building is always clean which I love. The teachers are all amazing, everyone is kind and welcoming. LWLC made our daughter feel very comfortable and cared for, she’s learned so many new things since she’s been going there. We especially appreciate the extra time and care that has always been given to our daughter in assisting with her speech delay, we couldn’t have picked a better school for our daughter!
Steve & Christina Worthy
LWLC has been the perfect fit for us -- Ms. Karen and her team feel like an incredible extension of our family. The love, care and attention our son receives while in their care is amazing. It's been so wonderful watching him develop under their tutelage and receiving regular pictures, videos and updates about the fun and educational activities they engage him in each day. Additionally, the community developed among the parents at LWLC has been a very nice added benefit. Whether it's actively scheduling playdates or just running into folks around the neighborhood, it's been great to be connected with other friendly and community-oriented families.
Silpa Nair
Little Wonder Learning Center (LWLC) has been the consistency our daughter needed, and we wanted, as we moved to Maplewood. After leaving New York for New Jersey, we left the only daycare we knew and had to settle for a daycare with immediate availability (not LWLC). We quickly discovered this was not the right fit for us but knew it was our only childcare option until a spot opened up at LWLC; luckily, a spot became available sooner than we expected and we made the switch. Once at LWLC, our daughter grew developmentally and socially alongside her friends and classmates under the education, guidance, and supervision of the staff. And we, as parents, have also felt welcomed and accepted by teachers, caregivers, and directors of LWLC. We commend and applaud LWLC for being exactly what it is: a safe place for learning, fun, and growth where everyone is thriving.
Christina Piccirillo
We are so grateful for LWLC! Our youngest son has attended for almost a year and have had a wonderful experience. Each day our son is surrounded by loving and responsive caregivers in a pristine classroom. The staff are excellent at communicating about the day and supportive as we adjust to the transitions and challenges of childhood. We are grateful for their outings and outdoor spaces and their early hours to fit our family’s needs.


Katie Schneider
Choosing care for your children is one of the first important (and difficult) decisions we make as parents. Luckily for our family, once we found Little Wonder Learning Center the decision felt easy. We have watched our children grow and thrive, make lifelong friends, and amaze us every day with what they have learned. The teachers and staff truly know my kids, and it is clear they care and want the best for them. LWLC is more than just our daycare- it is our community, our partners in childcare, and an extension of our home.