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. My name is Josephine Karen Howell and I am the co-owner of Little Wonder Learning Center. I am an active co-owner who is also the Program Specialsit that is in the center most of the time, along with our phenomenal team. After leaving the world of fashion as a assistant buyer for a retail company, I stumbled into child care as a substitutuite teacher. For the next couple of years, while I had tremendous love and passion for the work I was doing, I did not share that same love and passion for the manner in which child care facilities were being managed. It was then that my vision changed and I made the decision to invest the time and resources to further understand what was missing in child-care profession and pursue a greater purpose. Since making that decision, I have successfully had three childcare facilities, which allowed me to take things into my own hands and pursue the dream center I envisioned. I wanted to create centers where children and parents can feel a sense home away form home, where a child can attend and feel loved, nurtured, and grow independently, mentally, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. I am eager to get to know you all personally and professionally and have our relationship grow over the years. This isn’t a job for me, this isn’t a business for me, this is my passion in life. This center is “my child”. I value all of you and am here for you for whatever you may need.

  • Ms. Kishana Dodson
    Head Teacher, Infant Room & LWLC Supervisor
    "Hello, my name is Ms. Krishna. I began my journey in education as a teacher’s aide and have proudly served as the Head Teacher of the Infant Room for the past two and half years, in addition to my role as Supervisor at Little Wonder Learning Center.

    Since joining LWLC, I have developed a deep understanding of the developmental needs of infants and have gained extensive hands-on experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 3 years. I find joy and fulfillment in caring for infants and believe strongly in the power of engaging, age-appropriate activities such as story-time, sensory art, and outdoor exploration for infants and wobblers.

    I understand the challenges parents face when entrusting their little ones to others. Along with her team, she is dedicated to providing exceptional care, nurturing, and support to ensure families feel confident and at peace. Her commitment, experience, and genuine love for working with infants and wobblers make her an invaluable asset to the LWLC community."
  • Ms. Shelly
    College Intern Cuddle-bugs

    "My name is Ms. Shelly and I have been a part of the LWLC family for the past three years and have truly become a member of the LWLC family. I have a natural gift for working with children of all age groups and my goal is always to bring warmth, energy, and adaptability into every child.


    I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to be a part of these little munchkins' lives. I am also grateful that during my break from college, LWLC has put their trust in me to spend my time in a playful, childlike personality environment that I can connect effortlessly with the children—making them laugh, think, and sometimes scratch their little heads, all at the same time."

  • Ms. Patricia
    Assistant Teacher, Cuddle-bugs
    "Hello everyone, my name is Ms. Patricia! I have worked as a child care provider for the past two years. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and working with children has taught me patience and empathy—learning to see the world through their little footsteps.

    One of the things I love most about working with your precious angels is that no matter what you may be going through, they bring light and joy into the classroom. Their smiles remind me every day that I am doing something meaningful and right."
  • Ms. Michelle
    Head Teacher, 3-Year-Old  Grasshopper

    "My name is Ms. Michelle, and it is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself as the Head Teacher of the Grasshopper Class at Little Wonder Learning Center. I bring a diverse background and a deep passion for nurturing young minds. Prior to joining LWLC, I spent five years working in early childhood education and preschool settings. I am deeply committed to child-centered learning that empowers and respects each child as an individual. I believe in the transformative power of education that encourages children to think outside the box while still feeling supported and challenged.


    What I hope for your children as they grow and transition through life is that they continue to imagine, explore, and dream—to fly kites, jump in puddles, build towers, play freely, and discover what truly makes them happy. It is a privilege to be part of your child’s educational journey, and I look forward to building meaningful connections with both families and students. Together, we will embark on a year of growth, exploration, and discovery—where every child’s progress is celebrated and cherished"

  • Ms. Bonnie
    Pre-Toddler Group Teacher
    "My name is Ms. Bonnie, and I believe in supporting development and achievement through love, attention, and understanding. Working with children is incredibly rewarding for me. I love creating a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every child feels special and valued.

    I find joy in helping children grow into independent thinkers and learners while supporting their language, academic, creative art, social, and motor skill development each day. I am truly happy to be a part of the Little Wonder Learning Center family."
  • Ms. Damaires
    Associate Teacher Caterpillar

    "Ms. Damaires serves as an Associate Teacher at Little Wonder Learning Center, where she plays a vital role in supporting classroom instruction and daily routines. She works collaboratively with lead teachers to help create a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for all children.


    Ms. Damaires is committed to supporting children’s social, emotional, and developmental growth while maintaining consistency and structure in the classroom. Her willingness to learn, strong work ethic, and dedication to the children make her a valued member of the LWLC team."

  • Ms. Tanisha
    Co-Teacher Butterflies

    "Since joining Little Wonder Learning Center, Ms. Tanisha has provided exceptional support as a Co-Teacher, helping to create a strong and nurturing learning environment where toddlers are encouraged to grow and thrive. Ms. Tanisha serves as a positive role model for both children and parents by supporting effective teaching, motivation, discipline, and communication with our little learners. Her excellent communication with parents and coworkers, along with her strong connection with the children, makes her a tremendous asset to LWLC and to everyone she works with."

  • Ms. Elsa
    Head Teacher Butterflies
    "My name is Ms. Elsa. I earned my M.S. degree in 2007 and my Ph.D. in Geography and Climatology in 2012 from the University of Delaware.

    I bring extensive teaching experience across multiple levels, including college, high school, elementary, and preschool education. I also have six years of experience in early childhood development. My love for science and passion for challenging young minds inspire me to help children understand that the world around them is rooted in science—something they can explore through hands-on experiments and a variety of learning media.

    In addition, I enjoy teaching Spanish as a universal language by integrating it into math, colors, art, and music. This approach encourages curiosity, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking while supporting early language development."
  • Ms. Shakira
    College Intern Cuddle-bugs

    "My name is Ms. Shakira, and I am a college intern . I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I enjoy engaging with children, making them happy, and participating in hands-on activities. I like being a part of their growth and development and supporting them during these important early years."

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.