Our Programs

General Information

Daily Schedule

• 7-8 am: center opens, learning areas or materials may be set up, breakfast from home may be finished…as children arrive, parents help them into the program, hang bags and children unpack (as they can), older children use the bathroom, wash, and sign in (this helps with name and handwriting practice).  We help families and children separate and use windows as an extra way to say those tough goodbyes.

• 8-8:30: specific learning materials are used, learning / interest areas are open... some schedules warrant children to catch a bus at this time as well.

• 8:30: clean up begins, children get ready for morning meeting

• 8:30-9:15/9:30: children gather for morning meeting, with welcoming songs, recap of previous learning and activities are done along with group work, songs, and academics all reinforced at morning meeting

• 9:30-10: children prepare for AM snack by cleaning up from meeting, using the bathroom, washing hands, and then make selections from lunch bags for AM snack.  Toddler diapering times happen again, and during warmer weather months, sunblock is applied

• 10 – 12: children are outside on the playground exploring & investigating any number of the learning centers – cars, digging, blocks, art, nature, woodworking, digging, climbing, swings, chalk, etc.  Bathrooms and diapering as done as children need it.  Often, targeted activities are brought outside such as painting, cutting, or even a writing task or other sensory activities.  Many pictures are often taken to then share the days or weeks events.  Clean up begins around 1145, as some children leave at noon and others leave at 1230.  Some schedules have children returning from bussing and/or others leaving during this time block as well.

• 12-12:30pm: children come in and prepare for lunch by washing hands and unpacking lunch items (this step is done for toddler aged children).  For ps/pk children lunch times are slightly longer in the beginning of the academic year, they are shortened in the new year to help prepare children for kindergarten expectations.  We often encourage “healthy” or main choices first, but never deny food in lunch bags – we do send all hard candy and excess chocolate home.  We are able to heat up foods, such as quick meals or left-overs, but do ask that families prepare foods like ez-mac at home and send in for reheats  only.  We have additional info regarding meal patterns that is shared as needed(such as what we cannot serve or helpful hints to make food fun).

• 12:30-12:45: lunches and bathroom times are complete, and we begin getting ready for rest, the lights are off, curtains are drawn, and relaxing music is played while children have backs or heads (ONLY) rubbed.  If a child needs a rest item, we request that it be small, about palm size and children are encouraged to use it for rest; if used inappropriately, it may be requested that the child return the rest to his/her bag.  We supply cots, families are asked to supply a clean crib size sheet and small blanket or one slightly larger blanket that can go under and over the child or a small sleeping roll.  These are sent home weekly to be laundered.

• 12:45/1:00 – 2:45/3:00: while children rest, teachers utilize this time to wash tables, chairs, water bottles (and refill them), sweep and mop, clean bathrooms, and wash dishes, as well as prepare for the afternoon or tend to other teacher and business tasks and finish eating their own lunches.

• 2:45/3:00 – 3:30: children awaken, and toileting or diapering are done as needed.  Children wash and then select choices from their lunch bags for PM snack (this is done for toddler aged children).  Cots are put away and if needed, sunblock is applied and we head outside for an afternoon of play (this happens in all warmer weather months and as weather permits – if there are heat or other weather advisories, we opt to remain in).  During afternoon play, there are not typically structured activities.

• 3:30 - 5:00: pick-ups begin, and staff take this opportunity to discuss each child’s day with families.   Other staff may be leaving to go home awhile others may be inside cleaning the rooms for the end of the day in preparation for the next day.  The program closes at 5 pm and families are charged accordingly for late arrivals.  If staff remain after 5 pm, it is to complete cleaning and or work tasks.