Small World

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

More than a stand-alone enrichment program, Small World is the first chapter of an Avenues education. From the very beginning, children learn through English and either Mandarin Chinese or Spanish every day, guided by expert early childhood teachers who know how to turn play, wonder and emerging interests into meaningful learning.

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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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. A thoughtfully paced phase-in helps children build confidence and independence, supported by a 4:1 student-teacher ratio and optional extended day until 5:00 p.m.

Small World 1s

A two-hour morning language-immersion program offered two or three days a week. Children are supported through an individualized separation process in a close-knit classroom with a 3:1 student-teacher ratio.

Grow-Up and Me

A 10-class winter or spring 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 exploration and opportunities for grown-ups to learn more about early childhood development.

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Expert teaching, in two languages

Each Small World classroom brings together an English-language teacher, a Mandarin Chinese or Spanish teacher, and a third teacher who is most often bilingual. Together, they create far more than a safe and engaging place to play. They shape the environment with intention, choose materials that invite discovery, observe how each child approaches a question and introduce the language, ideas and experiences that can move learning forward.This thoughtful teaching happens in both languages, throughout the day.

When one class became curious about the bees on our rooftop, teachers helped that interest grow into an exploration of honeycomb geometry, scientific observation, storytelling and new vocabulary in English and the target language. The questions began with the children; expert teachers helped those questions travel farther.

This is also where Avenues’ interdisciplinary World Course begins—a thread of inquiry and connection that grows in complexity through grade 12.

Meet our educators

A purposeful curriculum for the whole child and family

Every part of the Small World day is designed around the important developmental work of toddlerhood. Clear learning goals are held within joyful, age-appropriate experiences that invite children to explore, communicate and become increasingly confident in 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.

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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 Professional Advantage

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

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.

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

Child must be two years old by August 31 of their year of entry.

AM Program 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Two-Day: Tuesday and Thursday
Three-Day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Five-Day: Monday-Friday

PM Program 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Five-Day: Monday-Friday

Full Day Program 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.*
Five-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.

Small World 1s

Child must be 12 months old by August 31 of their year of entry.

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

Late Morning Program 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Two-Day: Tuesday and Thursday
Three-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: Caregivers begin closely involved in the classroom, gradually move into an observing role and then step out when the child is ready. The process is tailored to each child rather than tied to a fixed timeline.

Ratio: 3:1 student-teacher ratio.

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.

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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