Saint Paul’s Newest Non-profit Child Care Center

A Place of Joy and Learning for Children 2.5 to 5 years

A Reggio and Montessori Inspired Early Childhood Education

Flexible Scheduling Available

Childhood is a Place of Wonder

Big Wonder is a non-profit child care center in Saint Paul, MN. We’re on a mission to provide exceptional care for children 2.5 o 5 years through innovative and nurturing practices that support the child, the family, and the teacher. We spark the magic and catalyze the potential in early childhood education.

Our Mission

We honor the unique rights of children, families, and teachers to create a just and harmonious community. Big Wonder is committed to equity and race consciousness. We serve families of different races, family structures, religious beliefs, and social-economic backgrounds. We are inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and spiritual inquiry frameworks to provide high-quality education for our youngest learners. We create and model innovative methods to find sustainable solutions to improve early childhood education.

We accept CCAP and Early Learning Scholarships!

See our Enrollment Page for more information.

Family Feedback

“Celeste has put her whole heart into Big Wonder. She and Hannah (teacher) light up every morning you walk in at drop off and are still smiling, with all the details from the day, at pick up. My son typically takes a long time to warm up to new places and new routines, but that has not been the case at Big Wonder. Drop offs are so smooth and he is beyond excited every day that he gets to be there. Since the very first day, he wakes up every morning asking if he gets to go to school today. Having a child that would typically cling to me with hesitation in previous programs and now runs, full of excitement when we get to school at Big Wonder, is the most satisfying feeling any parent can possibly have. There is a feeling of safety, reassurance and happiness in this space...every detail has been carefully thought out. There is so much freedom for the kids to explore, learn and create in the most secure space. The changes to my sons self esteem, in just a few weeks, have been extraordinary. I recommend Big Wonder to everyone. Celeste and Hannah are without a doubt the most dedicated, loving teachers you can possibly hope for and the space is absolutely stunning.” -Sarah, A Big Wonder Parent

“We love Big Wonder! And better yet? Our child loves going to school everyday! He has quickly made friends and trusting relationships with his teachers. He feels welcome, accepted, and heard. We value that he learns everything from how to use mindfulness to calm his body, how to ask questions like a scientist, and how to practice being a great friend (to share, ask for help, be kind, and generous). It’s a meaningful place.
We are counting the days until our younger child will be old enough to begin school here!” -Ali, A Big Wonder Parent

“This school seems like such a wonderful place! I love the environment and care for one another! Jack is fortunate to be there. Thanks for the update and photos. I can’t wait to see Jack tomorrow and have him tell me stories about his new friends and school. Thanks Again.” - Robin, A Big Wonder Grandmother

Big Wonder Child Care -

Big Wonder Child Care -

As a school dedicated to excellence and innovation, we are starting off tiny—with only two classrooms!

We have a preschool classroom with 11 children between 3.5 to 5 years and a second classroom with 8 children between 2.5 and 3.5 years.

Starting small allows us to grow with intention, nurture and empower our teachers, and create a community of trust, innovation, and love for all: families, children, and teachers.

We will grow and add more classrooms in a sustainable and natural way over the next three years.

Contact Us to learn more.

Big Wonder in the News

MPR

MPR interviewed Celeste Finn, our director, to gain a providor’s perspective on legislation to make early childhood education more accessible and affordable to families across the State.

Advocating for transformative change to recognize the rights of teachers, families, and children is the cornerstone of Big Wonder. It is exciting to see such important conversations taking place across the state. 

Minnesota Reformer

“We believe early childhood education is the most important education anyone can ever receive, and children in Minnesota deserve better. We’re a non-profit on a big mission:  to provide exceptional care and education to children; to provide livable wages, comprehensive benefits, and a healthy, rewarding work environment to teachers; and to provide sliding-scale fees to be accessible to families of diverse incomes.

The first part, providing exceptional care to children, is something we can and are achieving. Our two other goals — providing fair compensation for our teachers while being accessible to families of diverse incomes, is more challenging because it requires funding streams beyond family tuition. Why? Because high quality early education costs more than most families can afford”…

Anti-Racism Through

Reggio-Inspired Practice

Tour classrooms to discuss key findings from the Arise Framework, which offers strategies to support caregivers as they cultivate learning environments that embody racial equity and engage children (3-6 years) in a dialogue about race.

4:30 - 5:30 Tour of Temple Israel Early Childhood Center: See below for specific locations

5:15 - 5:30 Optional Q & A regarding Temple Israel Early Childhood Center (or continue with tour activities)

5:30 - 6:30 Race Consciousness in Reggio Inspired Settings Workshop in Phillips Room

Facilitators: Sharon Rosenberg-Scholl, director, Temple Israel; Celeste Fin, director & founder, Big Wonder Early Learning; Rie Gilsdorf, racial equity coordinator & educator

Hybrid event Zoom: link sent after registration

Location: Temple Israel Early Childhood Center 2323 Fremont Ave S. Minneapolis 55408

Register Here 

November 6th 4:30 - 6:30

  • "By empowering children, we empower ourselves. Helping children express themselves with joy and freedom reminds us of what we've forgotten: to lean into the unknown with curiosity and wonder. This is the magic of early childhood education, a collective evolution of everyone participating."

    - Celeste Finn

  • "The art of research already exists in the hands of children acutely sensitive to the pleasure of surprise. The wonder of learning, of knowing, of understanding is one of the first, fundamental sensations each human being expects from experiences faced alone or with others."

    -Loris Malaguzzi

  • “Adults must defend children. We adults must see the real humanity in children, the humanity which will take our place one day, if we are to have social progress. Social progress means that the next generation is better than the one before. ”

    -Maria Montessori

  • “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

    —Nelson Mandela,

Big Wonder Nondiscrimination Policy

Big Wonder will not practice or permit any unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion,  physical handicap or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Big Wonder admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.