Little People Preschool – Raleigh’s most unique early learning experience where Learning Comes to Life!
Imagine a preschool where your little one learns to care for animals AND enjoys the freshest food straight from local farmers! That’s Little People Preschool in Raleigh! Our children develop empathy and responsibility by caring for our goats, chickens, and ducks daily.
We also believe that healthy bodies fuel healthy minds! That’s why over 85% of our fruit and 100% of our vegetables come from local farmers — no cans, no shortcuts. Just fresh, vibrant, farm-to-table meals every day.
Every child is unique!
Every child is unique and we believe that success and growth come from encouragement and praise! Our teachers focus on building every child’s self esteem and confidence through rich academics, positive social interaction & an environment where children are encouraged to “play, ask questions, find solutions” while LEARNING!
What we offer:
– Small class sizes
– Skills that develop fine & gross motor skills in infants/toddlers and preschoolers
– Kaplan “Learn Everyday Curriculum” (NC Early Childhood APPROVED Curriculum)
– Our School Pets
– 2 Golden Doodles
– 2 Goats
– 5 Chickens
– 4 Ducks
– 2 Bearded Dragons
– Parent Workshops
– Daily scheduled activities
– USDA approved meals
– Community Involvement Activities
– School garden
– Family-School Events
– Field Trips
– We are a Wake County Smart Start partner
– We have our own 37 camera closed circuit television system recording every moment of your child’s day.
– Subsidy vouchers accepted
Extra Curricular Programs
Soccer Shots
Kindermusik
Who we are
Little People Preschool holds a special place in the hearts of the owners Shawnonne & Larry Pickett Sr. Shawnonne was a lead teacher at Little People Preschool before taking over as the new owner. All three of their children graduated from Little People Preschool. Their son Larry Jr graduated from Little People Preschool in 2009 and their daughters Olivia and Lauren graduated in 2015. Fast forward to 2025 and now Larry Jr is in college at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in NY. Olivia and Lauren are both at Millbrook High School.
It was befitting when Shawnonne & Larry took over as the new owners of the Preschool in March of 2016.
Shawnonne and Larry have a heart for children and also serve as Elders and Youth Leaders of their church here in Raleigh that they have attended since 1999. All of their staff share the same passion for serving children!
They have now begun to take Little People Preschool further than before. With their staff, students and families in mind; they have transformed the school into a distinct place of learning. They’d love to have your child(ren) to be lead by heartfelt and dedicated teachers (such as their staff) to give them the best foundation of education. Take the time to stop by for a friendly tour and you’ll see why others are flocking to “the little school with a BIG impact!”.
Shawnonne Pickett
Shawnonne Pickett is a visionary educational leader, entrepreneur, and author based in Raleigh, North Carolina, whose life and career are defined by her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and a profound commitment to the holistic development of children. Her journey in the field of early childhood education is a powerful testament to divine purpose and a passion for hands-on, creative learning. Before assuming ownership of her own centers, Shawnonne founded and operated Kids Exploring Science, a popular traveling business that journeyed across the region to bring the wonders of nature, including live butterflies and ant farms, directly into preschool classrooms to spark curiosity in young minds.
In 2016, following a clear spiritual calling, Shawnonne transitioned into a new chapter of leadership by purchasing Little People Preschool. Though the school was not initially on the market, her faith-led persistence and a providential conversation with the previous owners resulted in a completed sale in just one week. In the decade since, she has transformed the center into a thriving landmark, expanding the business to include the Little People Preschool Infants and Toddlers Center and successfully purchasing the land and buildings to secure a permanent legacy for the community. Known for her “Preschool/Family Partnership” model, she treats parents as a child’s primary teachers and has integrated unique experiences into her curriculum, such as a “preschool farm” with myotonic goats, hens, and ducks, as well as a specialized cooking program for four-year-olds that blends culinary arts with core academics.
Beyond the classroom, Shawnonne is a sought-after speaker who has shared her expertise at the annual NCAEYC conference and the NCBCE 40th Anniversary. Her leadership reached the state level when she was trusted by Governor Roy Cooper’s office to help develop the Building Bright Futures Program, a vital initiative that provides free college tuition and job placement for high school students entering the field of early childhood development. She is also the author of the beloved children’s series “Henry the Couch,” including the titles “Henry the Couch has a SECRET!” and “Henry the Couch has a BIGGER Secret!” A devoted wife to Larry Pickett and a mother to LJ, Olivia, and Lauren, Shawnonne remains a pillar of the Raleigh community, serving through the Larry Pickett Foundation and mentoring the next generation of educators, always striving to exceed expectations with God’s help.
Larry Pickett
Larry Pickett is a multifaceted entrepreneur, award-winning producer, and retired automotive leader who brings a unique blend of professional discipline and community-focused passion to his role at Little People Preschool. After retiring from a highly successful, high-level career in the automotive industry, Larry chose to pivot his focus toward his family’s legacy. He now dedicates his extensive operational expertise to supporting his wife, Shawnonne, with the school’s daily management, ensuring a safe, efficient, and thriving environment where every child can flourish.
Before entering the world of early childhood education, Larry was a recognized powerhouse in the automotive sector. His visionary leadership helped numerous dealerships achieve record-breaking growth and operational excellence, eventually earning him a prestigious spot on the cover of Automotive News magazine as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” leaders in North America. To share his specialized insights with the wider industry, he leveraged his deep knowledge of the car business to create Dealer Training Source, an innovative online training platform that continues to serve automotive professionals today.
Beyond his administrative leadership at the preschool, Larry remains a highly regarded professional photographer and media producer. Through his various firms, including DTS Production Agency, he provides high-end media coverage for a diverse range of clients nationwide, ranging from large-scale religious organizations to professional athletic programs. This creative drive is rooted in a successful earlier chapter in television and radio, during which he hosted and produced several top-rated television programs.
In 2025, Larry’s commitment to service reached a heroic new dimension. He and his son, Larry Jr., gained international acclaim for their split-second, brave actions in rescuing a motorist from a life-threatening car wreck involving live power lines. For this extraordinary act of selfless courage, Larry was named a Four Chaplains Charles W. David Jr. Legion of Honor Gold Medallion recipient—one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for civilian sacrifice. This event was featured extensively on ESPN, CBS Sports, and Fox News, leading the Mayor of Raleigh to officially proclaim December 10, 2025, as “Larry Pickett Day.”
Driven by this experience, he established The Larry Pickett Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering lasting community impact. A pillar of the Raleigh community, Larry has been a faithful member of Word of God Fellowship Church since 1999, where he and Shawnonne serve as Elders. Married since 2002 and a proud father of three, Larry combines a world-class business background with a servant’s heart to lead an institution that treats every student like family.