Meet the Founder

Oneiz Mercado

Entrepreneur | Educator | Mentor | Cultural Ambassador

My Story

Hi! I’m Oneiz Mercado, the founder of Wise Little Owls.
My father always believed in the power of language and cultural understanding, and his passion inspired me from a young age. As a licensed educator and a mother, I’ve carried that inspiration with me—and I’m so proud to share it with the children and families in our community.

I created Wise Little Owls to give children a safe place to learn Spanish naturally while developing confidence, kindness, and a love for the world around them.

At Wise Little Owls, we celebrate diversity, nurture empathy, and encourage a global perspective—guided by the Ubuntu philosophy: “I am because we are.” This belief shapes our program and helps us create a welcoming environment where children explore different cultures through music, art, stories, celebrations, and even foods from around the world.

We also believe that every family deserves access to high-quality care, which is why affordability and community support are important parts of our mission.

Wise Little Owls is more than childcare—it’s a warm, joyful place where children grow through language, culture, friendship, and emotional well-being, and where every child is encouraged to feel confident, valued, and loved.

Locations and Contact information

Locations

Shirley Chisholm Elementary School

1001 G St. S.E.

Washington, D.C.

20003

Wise Little Owls Day Camp Center

907 12th St. S.E. Washington, DC

20003

Before Care Coordinator: Victoria Ramirez

Aftercare Coordinator: Karen Benitez

Company Profile

At Wise Little Owls, we believe that early childhood is about more than academics—it’s about helping children grow into kind, confident, and curious

learners. We understand the importance of nurturing empathy and teaching children to appreciate diversity from a young age.

Our team supports children in developing early academic skills while also introducing them to global citizenship through meaningful cultural

experiences. Children explore international foods, music, games, and fun activities, with a special focus on traditions from a variety of

Spanish-speaking countries.

We also prioritize children’s social-emotional well-being, because we believe it is one of the most important gifts caring adults can offer young

learners. Our dedicated and professional team provides a holistic approach that supports each child’s emotions, cognition, and creativity—every single

day.

Our Mission

To provide young learners of any socioeconomic or cultural background with fun, engaging, and meaningful opportunities to strengthen their Spanish

language skills in a nurturing environment.

Our Core Goals

Develop Spanish language skills
Strengthen social-emotional skills
Promote problem-solving
Encourage creativity and motivation through play

Our Core Values

Celebrate each child’s unique learning style and interests
Make every child feel welcome
Promote a strong sense of belonging
Respect
Empathy
Safety
Family partnership
Growth mindset