Small World

An academically rich, language-immersion first-school experience for children ages 1 and 2.

More than a preschool experience, Small World is the first chapter of an Avenues education. It begins a learning journey designed to grow with children from these earliest years through grade 12. From the very beginning, children learn through English and either Mandarin Chinese or Spanish every day, guided by expert early childhood teachers who use play, wonder and emerging interests to build language, early thinking skills, independence and confidence with others.

In thoughtfully designed classrooms, children begin building the foundations of language, literacy, mathematical thinking, independence and belonging—while developing the curiosity and confidence that will carry them into the Early Learning Center, Lower Division and beyond.

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EXPLORE:

A program for every first step

Explore our program options

Whether your child is beginning school alongside a trusted grown-up or ready to spend more of the day independently, Small World offers a thoughtfully designed program for each stage of readiness.

Compare schedules and availability

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Small World 2s

Morning, afternoon and full-day options offered two, three or five days a week. Children deepen their exposure to Chinese and Spanish through play and daily routines, with a thoughtfully paced phase-in, a 4:1 student-teacher ratio and optional extended day until 5:00 p.m.

Small World 2s Schedule Options

Small World 1s

A two-hour introductory morning program offered two, three or five days a week. In a close-knit classroom with a 3:1 student-teacher ratio, children ease into their first school experience while building confidence, independence and an early foundation in both Chinese and Spanish in preparation for our biliterate immersion program.

Small World 1s Schedule Options

Grown-Up and Me

An introduction to Mandarin Chinese or Spanish immersion for children beginning at 12 months, experienced alongside a parent or caregiver. Each session brings together art, music, movement, sensory, and exploration.

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Expert teaching, in two languages

Each Small World classroom is led by an English-language teacher, a Mandarin Chinese or Spanish teacher, and a third teacher who is most often bilingual. Together, they thoughtfully shape the classroom environment, select materials that invite exploration, observe how each child approaches the world and introduce the language, ideas and experiences that deepen learning. That intentional teaching happens in both languages, throughout the day.

When one class became curious about the bees on our rooftop, for example, teachers extended that interest into an exploration of honeycomb geometry, scientific observation, storytelling and new vocabulary in both English and the target language. The curiosity began with the children; teachers helped turn it into deeper learning.

Meet our educators

A purposeful curriculum for the whole child and family

Every part of the Small World day is designed around the developmental work of toddlerhood. Through joyful, age-appropriate experiences, children build language, independence, confidence and the social-emotional skills to connect with others, navigate routines and explore the world around them.

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LANGUAGE IMMERSION

Daily learning in two languages

Our youngest students spend half their time learning in English and the other half immersed in either Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. Channeling young children’s natural ability for language acquisition, we nurture bilingualism and global awareness from day one.

Learn more about Language Immersion

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LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

Fostering key skills through purposeful play

Based on their deep expertise in early childhood, our faculty utilize play as a powerful tool for fostering foundational skills and sparking a love of learning in students. That’s why every day, students play purposefully at Avenues.

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SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cultivating self-regulation and independence

After guiding students gently through healthy separation from caregivers, we focus on building essential self-regulation skills. As they grow, we foster foundational the skills of global citizenship: empathy, adaptability, and collaboration.

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INQUIRY-BASED, HANDS-ON EXPLORATION

Sparking creativity and promoting a sense of wonder

We provide a range of enriching hands-on activities designed to promote creativity, discovery, and growth. From cooking to gardening, music to crafts, each takes place in its own thoughtfully-designed tactile learning environment.

Benefits of language immersion

The immersion model confers significant cultural and cognitive advantages on young learners.

Learn more about immersion

Academic Excellence

Immersion is not a trade-off. Research shows that dual-language students consistently outperform monolingual peers on standardized measures of both reading and math.

Empathy & Perspective-Taking

Immersion learners develop the ability to see the world through others' eyes earlier than their peers, building stronger social and emotional intelligence from a young age.

Stronger Executive Function

Language immersion sharpens the brain's "command center," enhancing pattern recognition, attention control, and problem-solving skills, which enhance learning across all subjects.

Lifelong Brain Health

The cognitive benefits of bilingualism compound over a lifetime, from sharper thinking in childhood to protecting against cognitive decline in later years.

Lifelong Professional Advantage

Bilingualism opens doors. As students grow into adults, a second language expands career opportunities across industries and borders.

Small World Schedule Options

Young children thrive when they know what comes next—and when each day still holds something new. Predictable routines help children feel secure, while varied experiences keep them active, engaged and curious. Compare the rhythm, schedule and details of each Small World program below.

Small World 2s
Small World 1s
Grown-up and Me

Small World 2s

Children must turn 2 by August 31, 2026, for the 2026–27 school year.
Lunch is provided in all morning and full day programs.

AM Program 8:30–12:00 p.m.
2-Day: Tuesday and Thursday
3-Day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
5-Day: Monday-Friday

PM Program 12:30–4:00 p.m.
5-Day: Monday-Friday

Full Day Program 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.*
5-Day: Monday-Friday
*Please note: Families have the option to extend their child’s day at no additional cost from 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

The start and end times are subject to change.

Sample Small World 2s Schedule

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Schedule: The day includes arrival and free play, a group meeting, outdoor play, snack, learning centers, story time and a closing circle. The full-day program also includes lunch, rest and afternoon free play. Extended day is available until 5:00 p.m. at no additional cost.

Phase-in: A thoughtfully paced two-week phase-in begins with an individual visit and gradually moves from small groups to the full class.

Ratio: 4:1 student-teacher ratio.
Children must turn 2 by August 31, 2027, for the 2027–28 school year.

Small World 1s

Students must turn 12 months by August 31, 2027, to be eligible for the 2-Day program,
and 15 months by August 31, 2027, to be eligible for the 3-Day or 5-Day program.
Students 15 months and older may select any program option.

Early Morning Program 8:15-10:15 a.m.
2-Day: Tuesday and Thursday
3-Day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Late Morning Program 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
3-Day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

The start and end times are subject to change.

Sample Small World 1s Schedule

The morning unfolds through arrival and free play, a morning meeting, movement, snack, learning centers, story time and a closing circle.

Separation: Separation is a gradual process rooted in relationships and trust. Caregivers initially remain closely involved in the classroom, gradually moving into an observing role as their child develops confidence and connection with the teachers. Teachers support this process by building strong relationships with each child, responding to their cues and creating opportunities for increasing independence. In partnership with caregivers, teachers guide the process of stepping away as the child becomes comfortable and secure. Each child’s separation journey is unique and unfolds at their own pace.

Ratio: 3:1 student-teacher ratio.

Students must turn 12 months by August 31, 2027, to be eligible for the 2-Day program, and 15 months by August 31, 2027, to be eligible for the 3-Day or 5-Day program.
Students 15 months and older may select any program option.

Grown-up and Me

Child must be 12 months old by March 31, 2026 to participate in the program for the Winter and Spring 2026 semesters.

Winter Semester (January—March)
Spanish: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Chinese: Thursdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Spring Semester (April—June)
Spanish: Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Chinese: Thursdays, 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Grown-up and Me Schedule

Each session moves through play and exploration, circle time and songs, time in the movement room and a warm goodbye—all experienced alongside a parent or caregiver.

Format: One-hour immersion classes with a parent or caregiver, along with parent education sessions.

Schedule: Winter and spring sessions. Spanish is currently offered Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Mandarin Chinese is currently offered Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Eligibility: Children must be 12 months old by March 31, 2027, for Winter and Spring 2027 sessions.

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We believe even the youngest children are capable, curious learners. At Small World, our dual language, inquiry-based program empowers infants and toddlers to explore, communicate, and thrive in a rich, nurturing environment.

Clarissa Byer

Director of Small World

Meet our faculty

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the journey continues

A first step with a world ahead

Small World families are eligible to apply to continue at Avenues, moving on to nursery, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in our Early Learning Center, and beyond. It is a joyful, academically-rich first school experience that opens the door to a much longer journey.

Early Learning Center