Little Wonder’s Preschool has limited spots open for Tuesday/Thursday!
Register Here!
Please call 717-243-3818 to have your child added to our waiting list.
Learning.
Growing.
Socializing.
Having FUN!
Early Childhood Education at YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County
At YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County, we believe early childhood education lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Research shows children who attend quality programs experience greater academic success and personal growth throughout their lives.
Our Little Wonders Preschool provides enriching, safe, and inclusive experiences for children aged 3-5, adhering to the PA Department of Education standards. All staff are thoroughly background-checked and committed to fostering equity and inclusion.
Our preschool families say it best:
“My kids adore every single staff member, from the front desk team to the teachers and classroom helpers!”
Why Choose Little Wonders Preschool?
Our programs are carefully designed to support academic, social, and emotional development in a welcoming and supportive environment. Students benefit from guided play, engaging lessons, outdoor activities, and a focus on fostering a strong sense of community.
Ready to learn more? Contact Preschool Director Melinda Lascurain, M.Ed., at 717-243-3818 to schedule a tour. Let us help your child build a strong foundation for a lifetime of success!
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our preschool scholarship donors. Your support provides invaluable opportunities for young learners to grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a nurturing environment. Thanks to the generous grant awarded to us from The Madden Family Foundation through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and individual donors, children can enjoy engaging lessons, guided play, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community that sets the foundation for their future success. We cannot thank you enough for your dedication to our mission.
Junior Kindergarten Program – 2024-25 School Year
Monday through Friday – 9am-1pm – $400/month
Our junior kindergarten curriculum is designed to prepare children for kindergarten while providing them with a safe and stimulating learning experience. Our junior kindergarten students enjoy all the benefits listed for our Pre-K classes, with additional small group instruction twice per day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This small group time is focused on enrichment in the areas of literacy (including early reading skills), math, science, and art. Junior kindergarten students receive their whole group instruction with the Pre-K class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the small group instruction on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This helps limit the repetition of whole group lessons while also providing additional unique learning opportunities. When not participating in these small group lessons/activities, the junior kindergarten students join in with the Pre-K class for the other portions of the day such as activity time, snack/lunch, recess, centers, community meeting, and special projects/activities.
The junior kindergarten model is a great step before starting kindergarten as it introduces many kindergarten concepts/skills while following the five-day model of kindergarten, but with shortened days compared to full-day kindergarten.
We adhere to the requirements of the Carlisle Area School District.
- Child must be 4-years-old (and potty trained) by September 1 to register, and plan to attend kindergarten the following school year
$80 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration for 5-day class (includes $30 YWCA membership)
- Class time is 9am – 1pm
- Children must bring a packed lunch
- Daily snack provided
- Preschool program runs from September – May (following the CASD calendar from Labor Day until Memorial Day)
Shining Suns Pre-K Program – 2024-25 School Year
Tuesday, Thursday – 9am-1pm – $195/month
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 9am-1pm – $270/month
Our Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) curriculum is designed to prepare children for kindergarten while providing them with a safe and stimulating learning experience. The class offers a gentle introduction to the classroom, provides kindergarten readiness skills with an emphasis on socialization, early childhood education standards for curriculum, and social and emotional health, focusing on the principles of equity and inclusion. We adhere to the requirements of the Carlisle Area School District.
- Child must be 4-years-old (and potty trained) by September 1 to register, and plan to attend kindergarten the following school year
- $55 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration (includes $30 YWCA membership)
- Class time is 9am – 1pm
- Children must bring a packed lunch
- Daily snack provided
- Preschool program runs from September – May (following the CASD calendar from Labor Day until Memorial Day)
Shining Stars Program (3-4 years) – 2024-25 School Year
Tuesday, Thursday – 9am-1pm – $195/month
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 9am-1pm – $270/month
Monday through Friday – 9am-1pm – $400/month
Our Shining Stars class provides a safe and nurturing first classroom experience. Led by experienced preschool staff, each class is structured to meet the developmental needs of 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds with special emphasis on socialization and learning through play. Classes have guided free play, gym/playground time, introductory circle times, crafts/small group activities, and story times based on PA early learning standards, grounded in principles of equity and inclusion.
- Child must be 3-years-old by September 1 to register for Shining Stars program
- $55 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration for 2 or 3-day classes (includes $30 YWCA membership)
- $80 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration for 5-day class (includes $30 YWCA membership)
- Class time is 9am – 1pm
- Children must bring a packed lunch
- Daily snack provided
- Preschool program runs from September – May (following the CASD calendar from Labor Day until Memorial Day)
Learn more about the importance of Early Childhood Education from our Preschool Director, Melinda Lascurain, M. Ed., and how sending your child to Little Wonders Preschool can not only provide education and support during their childhood years, but also set them up for success later in life!
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