Childcare Opens on Our Campus: Join the Small Wonders Grand Opening Open House on October 22

For many young parents, the hardest part of finishing high school has nothing to do with the classwork. The hard part is finding someone they trust to care for their child during the school day. This fall, students at Mahoning Valley Community School have an answer to that problem right on campus.

Small Wonders Discovery & Learning Center has opened a new childcare location at 416 Emery Ave., on the Emery Ave. side of the MVCS campus. To celebrate, Small Wonders is hosting a Grand Opening Open House on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Families, friends, and community members are all welcome.

What to Expect at the Open House

The open house is a chance to walk through the center, ask questions, and see the classrooms for yourself before you make any decisions. You do not need an appointment, and you do not need to be an MVCS student to attend.

During the event, you can meet the Small Wonders staff who will care for your child and take a full tour of the facility. The team will explain the programs offered for each age group and answer your questions about enrollment. There will also be activities for the kids, so bring your children along and let them explore while you look around.

If you have been thinking about childcare but have not known where to start, this is an easy first step. You can stop in for fifteen minutes or stay for the whole event.

Enroll by October 31 and Pay No Enrollment Fee

Small Wonders is enrolling now, and families who sign up by October 31 will have the enrollment fee waived. That makes the open house a smart time to visit, because you can tour the center, meet the staff, and take care of enrollment in the same trip.

Small Wonders is JFS approved and accepts child care assistance. The center also welcomes foster families. If you are not sure whether your family qualifies for assistance, the Small Wonders staff can talk through it with you at the open house or over the phone.

What Small Wonders Offers Families

Small Wonders cares for children from 6 weeks old through preschool. The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM, which covers the school day for MVCS students and the work day for many Youngstown families.

The goal at Small Wonders is to give families a safe, nurturing place where children can learn, grow, play, and belong. Classrooms are designed for each age group, and children learn through play with caring adults guiding them.

Small Wonders also takes several everyday costs off a parent's plate. The center provides diapers and wipes, formula and baby food, and nutritious hot lunches and snacks. For a parent who is also a student, that means one less bag to pack in the morning and one less expense to plan around each week.

Why This Matters for MVCS Students

Mahoning Valley Community School serves students ages 14 to 21, and some of our students are raising children of their own. A childcare problem can quickly become an attendance problem, and missed days can put a diploma out of reach. We do not want any student to have to choose between being a good parent and finishing school.

Having Small Wonders on our campus changes the daily routine for those students. A parent can drop off their child, walk to class, and know that their child is close by all day. When the school day ends, pickup is a short walk away.

Small Wonders joins a group of community partners that support MVCS students and families, including behavioral health support, a school medical provider, and a food pantry. Each partnership exists for the same reason. When the things that pull students away from school are taken care of, students can put their energy into graduating and earning career credentials.

Open to the Whole Community

You do not have to be connected to MVCS to enroll your child at Small Wonders. The Emery Ave. location is open to families across Youngstown, and the open house is for everyone. Bring a neighbor, a relative, or a friend who has been looking for childcare they can count on.

Open House Details

The Small Wonders Grand Opening Open House takes place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at 416 Emery Ave., Youngstown, OH 44507. To schedule a tour before then or to ask about enrollment, call or text Small Wonders at 330-420-8368 or visit SmallWondersLearningCenter.org.

Finish Your Diploma with Childcare on Campus

If childcare has been standing between you and your diploma, this may be the right time to take another look. Mahoning Valley Community School is a free public Community School for students ages 14 to 21. Our students earn an Ohio high school diploma in small classes with personalized instruction, and they can graduate with industry credentials. You can enroll at any time during the year.

To get started, visit mahoningvalleycommunityschool.org/enroll or call (330) 702-7890. We would love to help you plan your next step.