Children are welcomed and begin their morning with a health-check and have the opportunity to engage in small group activities. At this time, parents have the chance to communicate any important information with us.
Children and staff share in a nutritious breakfast while participating in family-style meal practice in a relaxed setting. Concepts of nutrition are shared along with daily planning during this time of conversation.
At planning time, we encourage the children to talk about what they plan to do during the day. This form of plan, do & recall, is part of our High Scope 58 Key concepts curriculum. We also share messages and conduct literacy activities, felt stories, math, music, and calendar work.
Hands-on learning activities are offered promoting exploration and experimentation. Some of the many activities offered are: sensory, counting, sorting, math building skills, dramatic play, early stages of writing, art, block play, and puzzles.
Snack is offered during this time. Children may participate in nature and gardening activities, woodworking, sensory exploration, messy and creative art, as well as water-play. We also encourage the children to develop their muscles groups through offering coordination and balance building materials. Climbing, bike riding, and ball play are included.
Children engaged in a recall time while reflecting upon their work and play. They are asked open-ended questions relating to their learning experiences such as, “Tell me about your picture and “Why did that block tower fall down—can you think of another way to build it next time?”
This time is used for building a healthy routine including hand washing, nutrition and self-help skills. We follow U.S.D.A. Food Program guidelines providing well-balanced family-style meals. The children’s garden supplies a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Quiet music is used for calming during our rest period. Children use nap cots, and cribs for resting time. Older children are encouraged to read silently, or relax until this rest period ends.
After rest, the children are offered a nutritious and well-balanced snack. We also use this time as an opportunity to allow the children to use many fruits, and vegetables, and whole foods for counting and classifying. Conversation & story time occurs during this time of snack.
We provide structured, planned and research based activities such as: Ground walnut shells, or play dough for sensory integration. We offer sandbox play, which encourages cooperation through sharing space and materials. Watering, caring for and growing our garden also provides for learning about the lifecycle of plants. Gardening teaches math skills, measuring growth, comparing, contrasting, along with seed germination.
During closing, we transition children allowing a five-minute forewarning to prepare them for the day’s end. Children are guided through cleanup by using songs, and support. Parents are guided to their children as they ask about their day briefly. They are given art projects, and any notes or information to be taken home.
“Where children learn & grow”.