St. John’s is excited to announce that a new childcare center, Big Wonder, is set to open in our building on July 31st, 2023!
Big Wonder is a non-profit organization that will seek to incorporate both Montessori and Reggio Emilia models of formation in an anti-racist framework that encourages spiritual inquiry; a place where kids can ask big questions and wonder about the world! What’s more, Big Wonder will actively seek to enroll kids from diverse racial and economic backgrounds through the use of scholarships, public aid, and grants.
You can find out more about Big Wonder’s classroom plans, enrollment, and more by checking out their website here.
Big Wonder Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Friday, July 21st from 5:30pm-6:30pm
Big Wonder is opening this summer and inviting interested community members to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 21st! A reception with tours and light refreshments to follow the ceremony.
Please join us for this momentous and joyful occasion. Big Wonder cannot wait to open their doors to welcome children and families!
Timeline:
- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 5:35-5:50
- Reception &Classroom tours start at 5:50 pm
About the Founder: Celeste Finn
Celeste is an accomplished teacher and children’s book author, with a Masters of Arts in teaching, over a decade in the classroom, and experience as an educator all over the world, including working with students in a diverse range of cultural, economic, and racial contexts and backgrounds. Her work helped pioneer the “Arise Framework.” This way of teaching fosters race-conscious early childhood learning communities.
When she moved to the Twin Cities and began looking for care for her son, it was hard to find a school where racial and gender justice, and a willingness to incorporate spiritual resources as well as academic, were combined into a positive environment for her child to grow and develop.
Celeste had always dreamed of opening an early child care center, and knew that now was the time to fulfill that dream. She set to work building a board, finding resources, seeking the appropriate licensing, and spreading the word. And when she started to look for a location, she found St. John’s.
