Big Wonder Child Care

09/17/2025

It was great to help mediate a Round Table with State Representative Zack Stephenson last night.

This year, Kids Count On Us, a growing coalition of parents and providers, is organizing to raise revenue to make high quality child care affordable for all.

This won't come easy, but it will come. Families need it, children deserve it, our future depends on it.

08/26/2025

Llamas and ice cream and bubbles- oh my!

Big Wonder turns 2!!

08/26/2025

Come for the llamas! Stay for the ice cream!

Big Wonder turns to and we are so excited for the new year!!

08/20/2025

We had so much fun at our Protect the Pollinator Party last night. We got to learn about why pollinators are precious and important for ecosystems, with live bees, caterpillars, and chrysalises
We wrote letters to legislators to protect pollinators, had dress-up, collaborative art, snacks and more!

Thank you so much to our volunteers and helpers- and everyone who showed up to be a pollinator protector!

08/19/2025

Do you know that we have lost 90% of the Monarch population and 86% of the Minnesota State bee? We need to protect our pollinators! Join us at our Pollinator Protectors Party is tonight.

Enjoy student and expert presentations, live beehives, local authors, local non-profits, dramatic play, interactive art, and refreshments!

5:00-6:00 pm in the gym.

See you there!

08/19/2025

Our Pollinator Protectors Party is tonight!

Enjoy presentations, live beehives, local authors, local non-profits, dramatic play, interactive art, and refreshments!

5:00-6:00 pm The 20-minute presentation is at 5:00.

See you there!

With Monarch Joint Venture

08/08/2025

This is a WIN! There will be far more demand than the allocated funds can support. We will work to get it expanded- certainly a WIN!

Something to celebrate! Childcare teachers can receive $5,000 per child towards their own children's childcare costs! This will keep teachers in the classroom and lower costs for childcare providers (which helps keep tuition rates from rising). Thanks !

08/05/2025

Child care is failing children and families across Saint Paul and Minnesota. This isn't because teachers and directors are not giving it everything they have to the children in their care. They are working within a failed market system within a web of red tape and poor policy. State leaders prioritize the needs and rights of children, no do they honor and fund child care like the public good that it is.

Let's change that, shall we? We are hosting a strategic planning meeting tomorrow night at Big Wonder to get child care the support it needs to adequately meet the needs of Minnesota children and families.

It is unaffordable for families, and yet we don’t have enough resources to pay our teachers living wages.

06/06/2025

Sandcastle Early Learning Center, Hallie Q. Brown and St. Catherine Early Childhood Center have already closed, and two more closures are expected soon.

05/23/2025

This is your official invitation to an Emergency Response Public Meeting for Child Care

We have invited seven legislators, the mayor, Ramsey county commissioners, local businesses, the chamber of commerce, the city council, and others for what we hope will be the largest grassroots child care organizing event in recent St Paul history.

Why? Because the oldest and best child care centers in and around St Paul are closing. And there is rapid pattern to their shuttered doors that desperately need to be addressed. This isn't just a crisis- its a collapse.

Big Wonder Child Care, with two other child care providers, and support from Kids Count On Usand SPARK is co-hosing this public meeting. Our goal is for leaders across government agencies to know that child care is critically important for the economy, families, and our future. A strong turnout is essential to communicate this adequately. Our central goal is to make child care affordable and to create awareness that this is a fundamental public good that will benefit children and families (and the economy), but requires public funding and support!

Please let me know if you want to speak or volunteer at this event. And please invite your network!

Please RSVP: https://secure.everyaction.com/tgDURYP1Q0G0sk3qjqRa0w2

05/15/2025

THE POWER OF RACE CONSCIOUSNESS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

This workshop explores the importance of race consciousness and decentering whiteness in early childhood settings. Participants will examine how racial identity develops in children and the prevalence of racist notions in early childhood.

Using local data, we will discuss the impact of white supremacy in Minnesota and its influence on young learners. Participants will learn to recognize white supremacy culture in educational environments and explore strategies to dismantle it through cultural shifts, transparent policies, inclusive curriculum frameworks, and courageous conversations. We will highlight efficacy and challenges by sharing the action research of administrators and educators in Minnesota.
This workshop will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to foster racial equity and meaningful conversations with educators, families, and children. By cultivating awareness, collaboration, risk-taking, and curiosity, we can create learning environments free from prejudicial beliefs and empower children to have a positive sense of self and champion equity.

Learn more and register for this free event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-resilient-communities-gathering-of-collaboratives-tribal-nations-tickets-1286303862479?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/15/2025

Together, we can build an equitable system that makes quality child care accessible to all! We will not let them dismantle Headstart- a life live for 12,000 children and families across Minnesota!