Young Wonders
Early Childhood Center
Where children discover, play, and thrive in a caring environment that supports working families and builds bright futures from the very start.
Our Mission
We are more than an organization — we are a beacon of hope for women and girls in Broome County, providing the resources, support, and community needed to build healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives
A Place Where Little Ones Truly Belong
At Young Wonders, your child is not just enrolled — they are embraced. Every family walks through our doors knowing they will be treated as the experts they are on their own children.
Family as Partners
You know your child best — we build on that.
Open-Door Policy
Always welcome, always transparent.
Safe & Nurturing
Stability and warm connections
Learning Through Play
Curiosity-led, joy-filled days
Care Designed For Every Stage of Childhood
From 6 weeks to 12 years — we meet every child exactly where they are.
Building the First Bonds
Our caregivers make every effort to build strong, trusting relationships with each infant. They take time to learn every baby’s unique cues and respond with warmth, playfulness, and comfort, helping infants feel safe, understood, and ready to explore. These secure relationships support healthy neural connections and form the foundation for lifelong learning.
We also believe babies learn best through natural, self initiated movement. To protect this freedom, our environment is intentionally free of swings, bouncers, and activity seats. Infants spend their time on the floor, building strength, developing coordination, and discovering the world at their own pace.
To support whole child development, we use The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, a research-based curriculum that nurtures growth across all developmental domains, including social emotional, cognitive, physical, and language skills. This curriculum emphasizes the power of everyday routines such as feeding, diapering, transitions, and shared moments as meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and relationship building. Our teachers use ongoing observation to individualize each infant’s experiences, ensuring that every child’s needs, interests, and developmental stage guide their learning. Through responsive care, thoughtful routines, and engaging experiences, we create a strong foundation for confident exploration and healthy development.
Big Curiosity, Little Explorers
Our Toddler classroom offers a safe, engaging environment with plenty of opportunities to move freely, explore, and follow their natural curiosity. Defined learning centers encourage different types of play—toddlers might serve pretend meals in the dramatic play area or use magnifying glasses to investigate insects and animals in sand and water. While this age group benefits from a bit more routine and structure, much of the day remains devoted to open-ended play and child-led discovery.
Toddlers are rapidly developing independence, and we are excited to nurture that growth. As they practice self care skills, empathy, and early assertiveness, we also support them through the very normal behaviors that emerge at this stage, such as hitting, biting, and grabbing. These moments are viewed as developmental communication, and teachers gently guide children toward using words, gestures, and problem-solving strategies instead.
Our work is grounded in The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, which supports learning across all developmental domains—social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language. For older toddlers, this includes hands on exploration, simple investigations, and early introduction to the “studies” approach that deepens their understanding of the world. Large motor development is supported daily through opportunities to climb, run, dance, balance, and build confidence in their growing physical abilities.
Ready for the World Ahead
Our Preschool and Pre K programs are rooted in Developmentally Appropriate Practice, offering an engaging and purposeful balance of structure and play. Visual routines and daily rituals help children feel secure, while learning centers such as dramatic play, science, blocks, art, and sensory exploration invite them to investigate, create, and problem solve. Opportunities to explore shapes, early math concepts, open ended art, and hands on sensory experiences enrich their thinking and introduce new challenges tailored to each child’s abilities.
A strong foundation in literacy is woven throughout the day. Children develop vocabulary, phonological awareness, and early print knowledge through conversations, read alouds, songs, rhymes, and playful sound activities. They are introduced to letters, beginning letter sound connections, and early writing opportunities within meaningful classroom experiences, supported by intentional teaching strategies included in The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool.
Our program places high priority on social emotional learning. Children learn to express their needs, share attention, engage in cooperative play, and use self regulation tools to manage big feelings and reduce stress. These early SEL skills support healthy peer relationships and prepare them for long term success in school and life.
We use The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, a research based, whole child curriculum designed for ages 3–5. This curriculum supports development across all domains, (social emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, math, science, and the arts) and is driven by play based investigations called “studies,” which deepen children’s understanding of real world topics through exploration and hands on learning. Teachers observe children closely and adjust the level of support or challenge, ensuring each learner is engaged, successful, and developing confidence as they prepare for kindergarten.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Young Wonders is pleased to offer a fun, inviting, and close knit summer program for children ages 5–12. Our summer days are filled with engaging, hands on experiences that allow children to recharge, make new friends, and explore their interests in a relaxed, joyful environment. Each week includes opportunities for creative art, science experiments, sensory play, cooking projects, outdoor adventures, and special excursions. With our small group size, children receive plenty of personal attention, allowing staff to tailor activities to each child's interests and developmental needs. Our goal is to provide a summer filled with curiosity, friendships, and memorable experiences that build confidence and independence.
Young Wonders also offers an after school program during the school year with similar enriching activities, along with time and support for homework help for those who need it. Both programs emphasize relationship building, hands on learning, and an environment where children can unwind, be themselves, and feel part of a caring community.
Why Families Choose Young Wonders
Year-Round Care
No gaps in coverage. Open Monday–Friday, 6:45 am to 5:45 pm, every week of the year.
Truly Open Doors
Families are always welcome to visit, ask questions, and be fully involved. Your trust means everything.
4-Star Rated Quality
Recognized by Quality Stars NY for our commitment to high standards in early childhood education and care.
Let Us Find the Right Spot For Your Child
Fill out the form below and a Young Wonders administrator will be in touch. We'd love to welcome your family — reach out to check current availability for your child's age group.
Lauren Hanakovic
Young Wonders Assistant Director
- (607) 772-0340 x225
- LHanakovic@YWCAofBinghamton.org
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All information provided must be true and correct in order for the admission process to take place.
What Our Community Is Saying
It's a privilege to serve this community, and we're deeply grateful for every life we're invited into. Here's what some of our neighbors have shared.
She has blossomed both academically & socially with the guidance of the Young Wonders staff. We shall always be grateful for Young Wonders and the YWCA.
Wonderful place making a positive impact for the community. Dedicated, passionate and caring staff that go above and beyond every single day.
The YWCA creates a welcoming and supportive environment where members of the community feel encouraged, respected and valued.
134+
Years Serving Broome Count
5,000
Women and Children Served Annually
66
Emergency Shelter Beds at Southside Manor
1892
Year Our Story Began
Ready to Make a Difference?
Find support, offer a donation, volunteer, or explore partnership opportunities. There's a place for everyone at the YWCA of Binghamton.
