About Us
Philosophy
Welcome to Little Learners Center. This program is operated under the supervision of the Owners/Directors, whom supervise staff including teachers and teaching assistants. Little Learners Center program will provide quality child care throughout the year and encourages parent involvement in the classroom. Working together with families is our goal, and being a partnership between home and childcare center which will enhance the overall program. We provide high quality care, focusing on the environment, the setting, communication between child and teacher, and having qualified educators.
Little Learners Center believes that all children deserve an opportunity to recognize and broaden their strengths in order to achieve their hopes and dreams for the future. We are dedicated to deliver an atmosphere of respect, caring, education and nurturing to all children. We intend to design programs that promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, psychological needs, and social development. Little Learners Center intends to teach children the value of societal diversity and help them develop leadership skills to build bridges of understanding between individuals, groups, and our communities. The overall goals of Little Learners Center are to: provide quality care and education to children, support-working families, and support the growing need for quality childcare in the community.
Mission Statement
Little Learners Centers' goal is to provide enriching opportunities to meet the needs of children in the community. Our mission is to provide children with a learning environment and a wide variety of experiences that help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development. We recognize the uniqueness of the individual child, the family, and the community in which we reside. Little Learners Center is set up to teach in an open classroom style, allowing children choices and structured activities throughout the day. We provide a safe place for children to test boundaries, and children can learn through their experiences to better understand themselves and one another.
Little Learners Center is a family-centered program, a philosophy that is focused on a child-center environment. Little Learners Center is a mixed curriculum, using a variety of ideas and intends to prepare children for future education. Having open communication with families creates strong connections, and this will be accomplished through parent activities, newsletters, written logs, parent gatherings, and other special events throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to become active in the classroom.
Little Learners Team
Shannon Hall
Owner/Director/Founder
Shannon holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development from Humboldt State University. Shannon is the founder and owner of Little Learners. She has worked with children ages from birth until school-age. She has been working with children for the past 25 years. Shannon was the former 2008 Economic Fuel competition winner and opened Little Learners Preschool in 2008. Shannon has four children of her own, Brittany age 24, Hailey age 23, Gavin age 11 and Hudson age 8. Shannon understands the needs for high quality childcare programs in Humboldt County and enjoys supporting families and local businesses in our community. Shannon enjoys being a part of the community and is involved in many local organizations. When Shannon isn't at work, she can be found at local children sporting events with her children, or volunteering her time on local boards. Shannon's passion is supporting early childhood teachers and creating a strong team dynamic among Little Learners, with teachers and families. Shannon loves supporting children’s growth and development. Shannon loves spending her time working to make Little Learners the best childcare in Humboldt county!
Paige Nickols
10th Street Site Director, Arcata
Paige holds her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Humboldt State University and has been part of the Little Learners team since 2016.
Paige is deeply passionate about working with young children and their families, creating meaningful learning experiences that support curiosity, confidence, and respect.
In the classroom, Paige loves to bring silliness, fun, and excitement!
Born and raised here in Humboldt County, it brings Paige so much joy to be helping shape and grow the young children in the community. Paige has one child of her own, outside of work Paige enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Sara Dahl
11th & M Street Site Director, Arcata
Sara has her certificate in Early Childhood Development from College of the Redwoods. Sara has been part of the Little Learner's Team since 2013 when she worked at the Valley East site. Sara then transferred to the 11th Street site in 2014 where she has been ever since. She is now the Director at the 11th Street site. Sara is passionate about working with children and the families in our community. When Sara is in the classroom, she loves to teach while having fun and being silly. Sara has two children of her own, Patton age 3, Lilliana 10 months and a baby on the way. When Sara isn't at Little Learners, she enjoys creating memories with her husband and children.
Krystal Arnot
Operational Manager & Myrtle Avenue Site Director, Eureka
Hello! My name is Krystal Arnot, and I am a dedicated early childhood professional with a passion for supporting the growth and development of children ages 0–5. Originally from Bakersfield, I moved to Humboldt over 20 years ago and have loved becoming an active part of this wonderful community.
I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education from College of the Redwoods and a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. With a lifelong commitment to quality early education, I believe that investing in young children is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen families and our community.
In the classroom, I enjoy incorporating music, art, movement, and play to create joyful and engaging learning experiences. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family while exploring the redwoods, attending local events, and enjoying walks and bike rides around town.
I take great pride in the work we do at Little Learners and look forward to building strong, positive relationships with each child and family in our program.
Cila Hall
Cila has her associates degree from College of the Redwoods in Early Childhood Education. Cila began working at Little Learners in November of 2011 in the preschool, toddler, and pre-k rooms. Cila is now the director at our Valley East site. Cila enjoys working, interacting, communicating with the children and their families daily. When Cila is in her classroom, she loves to sing, dance, teach, laugh, and help support growth of each child individually. Cila enjoys learning more to create a learning and interactive classroom by going to ECE trainings, conferences and reading books and articles. When Cila isn't at Little Learners, she likes to craft, read, sing, babysit, and learn new hobbies!
Jennifer Rich
Jennifer Rich is the director at Little Learner’s Chico Site. Jen is a Chico native. Born and raised in Chico, she graduated from Chico State with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies, along with two associate degrees from Butte College, including Social & Behavioral Science. After earning her degrees, Jen pursued a K-12 teaching credential, enjoying 2 student teaching roles, but ultimately pivoting to her first love, Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis on Preschool.
In her role as director at LL Chico, Jen supports children, families, and teachers inside and outside the classroom. She is a beacon for resources, fundraising, orchestrating engaging events, as well as enjoying time directly involved in classroom activities. When in the classroom, Jen loves singing, dancing, reading stories, engaging in STEM and sensory activities, being creative, and being funny and silly. Her philosophy is that caregivers should be safe, respectful, and responsible, that school is a community, that we are all family, and that the skills we build here are a gateway to lifelong success and ultimately happiness. Her heart, mind and door are always open, and she is excited to welcome new staff and families to her site.
Sequoia Church-Bergstrom
Myrtle Avenue Site Assistant Director, Eureka
Welcome, My name is Sequoia and I have been a part of the Little Learners team since 2021. Originally from the small town of Loyalton, CA I moved to Humboldt in 2017 to receive higher education at Cal Poly Humboldt. In 2022 I graduated with a bachelors in Psychology, with an emphasis in early childhood development, as well as a bachelors in Religious Studies.
I am passionate about serving our community by supporting our littles here at school as I do believe it really takes a whole community to help raise our future generations. In the classroom I enjoy working with children on social emotional skills and finding the small moments to embrace being silly. Outside of work you can often find me in my garden, crafting, or spending time with my partner and dogs whom I adore.