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Small Wonder Childcare at Dwight School

Full-day and Half-day childcare for ages 6-24 months

A Warm, Enriching Environment for Your Little One

Welcome to Small Wonder childcare at Dwight School, a full-day daycare program for ages 6-24 months, located at our Riverside Campus at Riverside Blvd and 68th Street. At Small Wonder, we believe the earliest years shape a lifetime of learning. Our carefully designed curriculum blends teacher-directed activities with open-ended play, allowing children to strengthen language skills, ignite curiosity, develop problem-solving abilities, and build lasting confidence — all within a warm, creative setting.

Register for small wonder childcare

Each day follows a consistent, comforting routine that helps children feel secure while exploring the world around them. Guided by our nurturing teachers, children engage in a variety of enriching experiences.

Our schedule includes:

  • Open floor play
  • Circle time filled with songs and fingerplay
  • Engaging story sessions
  • Music and movement
  • Gross-motor fun in our spacious gym
  • Ample time outdoors
  • Weekly enrichment classes with a special focus on Spanish language learning 

Children enjoy dance, bubbles, and sensory exploration activities designed to delight and educate. Nutritious snacks, lunch, and restful nap time round out each carefully planned day.

The teachers and staff all go above and beyond to treat each child with the care and attention they deserve.

- Nancy Shanahan, Dwight School Small Wonder Parent

Class Days and Times

Full and half day available

Small Wonder Childcare is open year round Monday- Friday from 8 am-5:30 pm. Families can register for full or half day care.

2025-26 School Year: Registration Now Open — Limited Spots Available
September 2, 2025-June 30, 2026

2026 Summer: Registration Opens March 1, 2026
July 1-August 21, 2026

What Makes Small Wonder Extraordinary?

A teacher sits next to a foam ramp, encouraging a toddler in Dwight's Small Wonder Childcare program.
Exceptional Stability and Care

Small Wonder stands out for its remarkably low teacher turnover — a rarity in New York City childcare. Many families work with the same beloved lead teacher throughout their entire time with us, creating the deep, trusting relationships that young children need to flourish.

A teacher holding a guitar laughs with a toddler throwing a scarf in the air at Dwight's Small Wonder Childcare.
Individualized Attention

With intentionally small class sizes that consistently remain within or under ratio requirements, every child receives the personalized care and attention they deserve. Our classroom and specialist teachers carefully plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities that meet each student exactly where they are. This approach is at the heart of our spark of genius philosophy — we believe every child has unique strengths and potential, and our teachers create learning experiences that nurture individual growth while fostering curiosity and confidence.

Dwight Small Wonder Childcare Director, Ms. Kathrine, helps a toddler play on a foam slide.
Thoughtful Leadership

Under Ms. Kathrine's exceptional direction, Small Wonder has cultivated a genuine community where every parent and child is known, valued, and welcomed. She maintains open communication through regular newsletters, is always available for conversation, and creates meaningful opportunities for family involvement — from classroom volunteering to special holiday celebrations that bring our community together.

Toddlers play with scarves in a bright play space at Dwight School's Small Wonder Childcare.
Beautiful, Dynamic Spaces

Our bright, spacious classrooms are filled with carefully curated toys and materials that rotate regularly to maintain engagement and discovery. Children benefit from multiple daily visits to our gym for active play, and weather permitting, they venture outside for buggy walks and outdoor story time — even throughout the winter months. Fresh air and movement are essential parts of childhood, and we prioritize them year-round.

The Dwight School Legacy

While Small Wonder childcare is our newest program, it's built on Dwight School's extraordinary legacy. Since 1872, Dwight has provided top-tier private education in New York City, earning recognition for its International Baccalaureate curriculum and unwavering commitment to igniting the spark of genius in every child from preschool through grade 12. When you choose Small Wonder, you're joining a trusted educational community with over 150 years of excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Begin Your Child's Journey

Small Wonder offers more than childcare — we provide a foundation of connection, learning, and growth during your child's most formative months. Our combination of experienced, stable staff, individualized attention, thoughtful programming, and outstanding facilities creates an environment where children don't just grow — they truly thrive.

Discover why families call Small Wonder the best daycare on the Upper West Side. Email us today at smallwonder@dwight.edu or call 212-724-6360 Ext. 770 to schedule a tour and see our nurturing community in action.

Families enrolled in Small Wonder who are applying to the 2s program are eligible for early notification per ISAAGNY (Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York), of which Dwight is a member school.