Story Sprouts: drop-off classes for preschoolers, lunch included
A playful, story-driven drop-off class for ages 3 to 5 at Little Village Play Cafe in Wauwatosa. Kids share lunch, build with their hands, get lost in a story & practice being part of a group. Where imagination grows, friendships form & stories come to life.
Book your first free class Sign up for any Monday or the whole semester. First class is always free. Small groups, so spots go fast.
What is Story Sprouts?
Story Sprouts is a weekly drop-off class for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 at Little Village Play Cafe, 6505 W North Ave in Wauwatosa, WI. Classes are on Mondays from 12:30 to 2:30pm with lunch included. Sign up week by week or for the whole semester, and your first class is free.
Each week a featured story sets the tone for everything that follows: lunch together, circle time, an interactive read-aloud, sensory & themed exploration stations, and games, social play & creative projects. It's where kids practice being part of a group, try new things & build confidence, all thru play.
Led by 2 early childhood educators, it's a gentle first drop-off experience for Milwaukee & Wauwatosa families, a favorite for kids getting ready for K4 or K5, and an easy afternoon wrap for morning preschool programs. If you've been searching for a drop-off preschool class in Wauwatosa, preschool enrichment near Milwaukee, or a homeschool social group for 3 to 5 year olds, this is the one.
A typical Monday afternoon
Preschoolers do best when they know what's coming, so every class follows the same 6 beats. The featured story & stations change each week.
Lunch Bunch
A shared meal to settle in, chat with friends & ease into the afternoon. Lunch is on us.
Welcome & circle time
Hellos, a song or two & a first peek at the story that shapes the day.
Interactive storytelling
A read-aloud kids get to act out, answer questions about & add their own twists to.
Sensory & themed stations
Hands-on exploration inspired by the story, from science bins to building & pretend play.
Games, play & creative projects
Big-kid games, social play & an art project they get to bring home & show off.
Quiet reading time
Classical music goes on & everyone finds a cozy spot with a book. Pickup is calm, bellies are full.
Skills they'll build
Everything in Story Sprouts is play, but it's play with a purpose.
Social & emotional confidence
Sharing, taking turns, naming big feelings & making new friends.
Creativity & imagination
Stories they help tell & art projects they make their own.
Early learning & problem-solving
Sensory science, counting, letters & figuring things out together.
Independence & real-world skills
Carrying a lunch tray, raising a hand & cleaning up a station.
Who this preschool class is for
- Morning preschoolers (Junior Kindergarten, Tosa Tots, Curiosity Corner) who need an afternoon wrap
- Homeschool families who want a weekly group for learning & friendships
- 3-year-olds ready for a gentle first drop-off experience
- 4- & 5-year-olds getting ready for K4 or K5
- Little Learners graduates ready for the next big step
- Parents who could use 2 hours to themselves (we have coffee)
Schedule & pricing
Mondays, 12:30-2:30pm. Sign up week by week or for the whole semester. First class is always free.
Non-members
- Your first class is always free
- Lunch included
- All materials & a take-home project
Members
- Use your member promo code at checkout
- Lunch included
- All materials & a take-home project
Book your first free class Please sign up online ahead of time. We keep groups small so classes fill, and lunch is planned by headcount.
2 educators who chose this age group on purpose
Most preschool classes are run by general childcare staff. Story Sprouts is led by 2 early childhood educators who plan every story, station & project together.
Miss Jenni
Jenni earned her Bachelor's in Education from Marquette & designed the Story Sprouts curriculum around one big idea: a great story can carry a whole afternoon of learning. She also leads our Little Joy Summer Reading Program & "This is How We Play," our playgroup for families with neurodivergence or disabilities, so every kind of learner is welcome here.
jenni@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com
Miss Kristin
Kristin has a Bachelor's in Education from UW-Milwaukee with a focus on early childhood & has led classes at Little Village for 3 years. She also leads our Little Learners classes for toddlers & our Baby & Me peer group for parents with babies 12 months & under. And she's a Tosa mom of 2, so she knows exactly what a first drop-off feels like from both sides of the door.
kristin@thelittlevillageplaycafe.comWhy families choose Story Sprouts
A gentle first drop-off
2 hours, a small group & 2 teachers who've seen every kind of goodbye. It's the perfect practice run before preschool or K4, and most kids are waving you off by their second or third visit. Try it free & see for yourself.
Week by week, no big commitment
Try your first class free, then sign up for the Mondays that work ($45, or $36 for members) or grab the whole semester. Lunch is always included, so that's one less thing to pack.
My 4-year-old started the year able to read his name & finished it reading chapter books. Miss Jenni is such a gift. She doesn't just spark a love of reading, she builds confidence & makes learning feel magical.Gail L., Story Sprouts mom
I wasn't expecting to be so blown away by the friendships & confidence my son built in this class. From learning to sit & eat lunch with friends to getting excited about spotting sight words at home, it's been transformative.Elle P., Story Sprouts mom
My daughter gained so much confidence here. She went from shy at drop-off to asking when we could go back.Caroline B., Tosa mom
Where the class meets
Little Village Play Cafe
6505 W. North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-477-2188
Free street parking on North Ave & the surrounding side streets. Drop-off & pickup happen right inside the front door.
We're 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, 5 minutes from Tosa Village & Mayfair, and a quick drive from Brookfield, Elm Grove, Menomonee Falls, Shorewood & Whitefish Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What ages is Story Sprouts for?
Preschoolers ages 3 to 5. It's a great fit for kids getting ready for K4 or K5, and for Little Learners graduates ready for their next step.
When & where is Story Sprouts?
Every Monday from 12:30 to 2:30pm at Little Village Play Cafe, 6505 W North Ave in Wauwatosa, WI. It runs year-round, so you can join any week.
Is this a drop-off class?
Yes! Drop off at 12:30 and pick up at 2:30. If someone other than a parent is picking up, please let us know ahead of time & have them bring a photo ID.
How much does Story Sprouts cost?
$45 per class for non-members and $36 per class for Little Village members, with lunch & all materials included. Every family's first class is free. You can sign up week by week or for the whole semester.
Is lunch really included?
Yep, every week. Lunch Bunch is the first part of class, and it's one of the kids' favorites. Please note any allergies when you register so we can plan accordingly.
What should my child bring?
Just socks! Our play space is shoes-off, so please send your kiddo in socks. Lunch, all materials & the take-home project are included. A water bottle & a change of clothes in a labeled bag are welcome but optional.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Yes. Story Sprouts is a drop-off class, so kids need to be fully potty trained to attend. We're happy to help with reminders & bathroom trips during class.
What if my child has a hard time at drop-off?
Totally normal, especially the first week or two. A quick, confident goodbye usually works best, and our teachers are pros at gentle transitions. Most kids settle in within their first few visits, and we'll always reach out if your kiddo needs you.
Does Story Sprouts work with a morning preschool schedule?
That's exactly what it's designed for. Kids in morning programs like Junior Kindergarten, Tosa Tots or Curiosity Corner come straight to us at 12:30, eat lunch here & get a full afternoon of story, stations & play. Homeschool families use it the same way: a weekly group to supplement learning at home & build friendships.
How is Story Sprouts different from Little Learners?
Little Learners is our toddler class (ages 1 to 3) where a caregiver stays & plays. Story Sprouts is the next step: a drop-off class for ages 3 to 5 with lunch included, built around a featured story each week. Lots of families graduate from one to the other.
How big is the class?
We keep groups small on purpose so each child gets real attention from both teachers. That's also why we ask you to register ahead: classes fill.
Can a younger sibling stay & play?
Story Sprouts kids have the play space to themselves during class, so younger siblings can't join in. Grown-ups & little ones are welcome to hang out in the cafe or on the patio.
What is your cancellation or sick policy?
Class registrations are non-refundable, but if your child is sick or plans change, email jenni@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com and we'll do our best to help. Materials from missed classes are sent home the next time we see you.
More for your crew at Little Village
Have a toddler, a baby, or a kid who's here every week? Mondays are for classes at Little Village.
Little Learners
Mondays at 9:30 or 11am. Parachute, music, storytime, sensory stations & a craft.
Learn more →
Baby & Me
A peer support group for new parents. Coffee in hand, we walk the neighborhood when it's nice & do circle time inside when it's not.
Learn more →
Memberships
Members save $9 on every Story Sprouts class, plus unlimited open play & 10% off everything.
See membership options →Your first Story Sprouts class is on us.
Mondays 12:30-2:30pm in Wauwatosa. Lunch, a story & 2 hours of big-kid fun. Drop them off, grab a coffee & we'll take it from here.
Book your first free class