Wonderwood Village

Much of the work of early childhood education happens in ways that are not always visible.

It happens after children leave for the day, when educators revisit documentation, return to a conversation, or reflect together on a moment that continues to linger. It happens in the preparation of environments, in the careful selection of materials, and in the ongoing decisions educators make about which questions to stay with and what stories might be important to carry forward.

This work also lives in the emotional and pedagogical labour of everyday practice. In noticing when a child needs more time. In holding space for uncertainty. In responding thoughtfully to conflict, curiosity, or unexpected encounters. In continuing to think with children’s ideas even after leaving for the day.

During Child Care Month, we want to acknowledge this often unseen work. The work of paying attention. The work of creating conditions where relationships, inquiry, and belonging can grow. The work of staying engaged with the complexities of living and learning together.

These everyday practices shape the life of early childhood spaces in profound ways, even when they are not immediately visible from the outside.

🎉One-Week Entrepreneurial Quest

🎉Our one-week Entrepreneurial Quest is an immersive, learner-driven experience where children ages 6–12 take an idea from spark to launch.

🎉Learners identify real problems they care about, explore their strengths, and work solo or in teams to design a simple product or service.

🎉Throughout the week, guides coach through questions, feedback, and challenges—helping learners practice essential real-world skills like communication, collaboration, budgeting, customer discovery, and pitching.

🎉The week culminates in a celebratory Pitch + Showcase, where learners present what they built and reflect on how they grew.

🎉Mixed ages are a feature, not a bug—older learners lead, younger learners rise, and everyone learns by doing.

THREE SPOTS AVAILABLE

Message us here to claim your young entrepreneur’s spot!

Why we have an 'End of Year Celebration' and not a 'graduation'.

With love...

****NOTE ADDED: this post is NOT about a preschool graduation...it is about the tactics some use to lure parents in. Please only comment if it pertains to the point of this post. This post is highlighting what words parents should look for when choosing an early childhood program******

WHAT ARE WE DOING?!??

WHY are early childhood programs MARKETED with graduation caps and gowns?

Graduation is coorelated with academic achievements... the early years should be about the freedom to explore, own discoveries, move bodies, think independently, BE A CHILD.

The early years should not be about standards and checklists based on academics.

Parents!!! Please listen to me:

The early childhood program you want to be seeking should be marketed with:

LOVE!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

It should contain the words
"your child belongs here"
or
"your child will be welcomed, just as they are" or
"we look forward to meeting each child where they are"

Look for the words:

"open ended opportunities"
"child-led"
****then make sure to ask:
•"What do you mean by "open-ended opportunities?"
and
•"How will my child be allowed to lead?" (because words alone do not always mean what they should!!)

The schedule should contain at least 2-5 hours of complete child-led play (depending if it is a 1/2 day or full day situation). This does not mean "learning centers".

The absolute least important points to look for are:

ABC's and 123's
Academics
Preschool Graduation

“You do school outside?! All year long?”
Yes — we do. And it’s WONDERful.

Wonderwood Village is hiring a full-time SPARK Studio Guide.

This role begins as a paid internship where you’ll work closely alongside me for a minimum of 3 months. It’s the most comprehensive way to truly learn our rhythm, values, and what makes our learner-driven community so special—so our next Guide can step in aligned and confident.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates with Montessori training, certification, or experience.

Before you apply: we love self-driven learners—so if you take time to explore our website and really understand who we are, we notice.

Email resumes or questions to: [email protected]

“You do school outside?! All year long?”
Yes — we do. And it’s WONDERful.

Wonderwood Village is hiring a full-time SPARK Studio Guide.

This role begins as a paid internship where you’ll work closely alongside our Founder, Ms. Abby, for a minimum of 3 months. It’s the most comprehensive way to truly learn our rhythm, values, and what makes our learner-driven community so special—so our next Guide can step in aligned and confident.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates with Montessori training, certification, or experience.

Before you apply: we love self-driven learners—so if you take time to explore our website and really understand who we are, we notice.

Email resumes or questions to: [email protected]

If you haven’t heard yet, we have some truly exciting news—and we don’t want you to miss it! Our Fall 2026 enrollment is already filling quickly, and we are on track to reach maximum capacity for ages 3–10 by September.

Our accredited, learner-driven community—where children spend 100% of their day immersed in nature—is growing in beautiful ways. We’re adding a brand-new pod (outdoor classroom), expanded specialty areas, and welcoming new guides to support our learners.

And there’s more exciting momentum ahead! We are also on track to participate in the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program by November 2026, with bus pickup planned for the Homestead area.

At the heart of everything we do is a deep belief that every family deserves access to educational choice, and every child deserves rich, meaningful outdoor learning. Behind the scenes, our team works tirelessly to expand access, improve inclusivity, and strengthen our learning pathways for families just like yours.

Don’t want to wait until Fall 2026 to join the only program of its kind in Cumberland County and surrounding areas? Now is the time to act.

We are opening just 5 spots for new learners in our January–July 2026 semester, and we’re offering ZERO enrollment fees for these limited openings.

✨ Secure your child’s place today—these spots will go fast!
👉 https://wonderwoodvillage.org/support-our-heroes/

🌟 Meet Wonderwood Village’s New Spanish Instructor! 🇪🇸

Exciting news! Wonderwood Village is thrilled to welcome our new Spanish Instructor, Tara Collins, bringing energy, culture, and a passion for language learning to our community.

Get ready for full days of immersive learning, fun activities, and a vibrant journey into the Spanish language and culture.

📚 “I traveled most my life, growing up in a military family, experiencing a wide range of cultures. Later in life, my husband and I dedicated ourselves to learning Spanish and moved to Costa Rica, where we lived among the locals for 8 years. We never had children of our own, but have enjoyed being a part of many young one’s lives and encouraging their goals. I am excited to have the opportunity to use the language I love & to help the learners at Wonderwood Village immerse themselves into this beautiful culture.” -Mrs. Tara