Our play-based curriculum
prepares children for kindergarten.
Our curriculum emphasizes social-emotional skills, handwriting, early math, art, science, fine and gross motor skills, sensory experiences and problem solving.
THEME of the MONTH
Every month, the class explores a different theme based on expressed interest from students in the class and developmental needs identified by the teachers. Examples of past themes include All About Me, Feelings, Friendship, Community Helpers, Winter, Christmas, Easter. These themes are woven into hands-on activities, books, songs, classroom materials and more.
Daily Schedule
Every day is a little different, however some elements of our daily routine are constant:
Indoor classroom exploration.
Circle time.
Outdoor play.
Meal periods: snacks and lunch.
Nap / quiet time for full day students.
Daily Drop Off
Upon arrival, your child's teacher will greet you and your child at the front of the classroom.
Safety and health is top priority. Sunscreen applied. Snacks and lunch packed. Temperature check. Your child's teacher will also ask, each morning, about any fevers and coughs that the child or anyone in the household has had. If any child or anyone in their household has been sick, they will be asked to stay home.
We have a large parking lot adjacent to the preschool for an easy drop-off experience.
Saying goodbye can be hard! We help with separation anxiety (children and parents).
Washing Hands
upon arrival and throughout the day
As soon as the children enter the classroom, children will put their personal items away and wash their hands.
In fact, washing hands is part of the routine throughout the day.
They might even sing the 'Happy Birthday' song or the like to make it fun and to empower the child to know for how long they need to wash.
Outdoor Play
Every morning, the children spend at least one hour playing outside. Our large yard has two play structures with slides, monkey bars, a climbing wall, a pole and a pretend kitchen space. The children can use one of the many tricycles, balance bikes or scooters and ride around the track with their helmet. If they prefer, they can play ball and shoot some hoops. Or play in the sand pit. We are here to encourage and support student choice!
The children learn to garden, and are encouraged to water the plants at any time they wish. We've grown flowers, potatoes, sugar snap peas, lettuce, tomatoes strawberries, green onions, rosemary, parsley and basil. There are planters surrounding the yard and the children are free to pick and eat what's ripe.
Artists, we encourage process art both inside and outside. Builders, the carpentry workbench is loads of fun and an opportunity to create wooden structures.
Teachers engage the children with songs and games. They are consistently present to support the children in respectful and kind interactions with each other.
Indoor Play
As children begin their classroom time, different activities are made available to them: some that feature the theme of the month, and others that are continuously offered.
Endless opportunities for process-art. Finger paints, sponge paints, paintbrushes, glue, glitter, paper mache. Scissor practice and all kinds of paper cut-outs. The kids come home with PLENTY of art-work that they can proudly share with their parents.
Books are always on hand for the children to look through. Teachers read books and tell stories, and we also make use of books on tape.
Stringing / beading activities, building blocks, building magnets, stencils, and other fun, educational manipulates for the children to experiment with.
In class, we love making paper airplanes and understanding the mechanics and environmental factors behind how they fly.
In preschool years, many children take interest in learning their letters. Teachers are always available to support children as they learn to recognize letters and write. Children are exposed to alphabet puzzles, letter stencils, labels around the room. A favorite play-based alphabet activity is name recognition. There is so much motivation and excitement around recognizing and finding one's own name and that of your friends. And later learning to write your name!
Circle Time
The teachers introduce the theme of the week, tell a story via flannel felt board, read a book, play games, sing songs or rhymes and engage the kids in conversation about the theme.
The teacher might also designate daily helpers to empower the children, instilling a sense of responsibility and community.
Mealtimes
( morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack times)
Every day, the children bring snack and lunch from home, and enjoy mealtime with their friends. All mealtimes are held outside.
We say a blessing in appreciation of our food.
This is a special time for teachers to engage the kids in organic conversations.
Nap or Quiet Time
For the children who stay for nap time, they each have their own designated cot. They can bring a pillow, blanket and special stuffed animal. If the child is unable to fall asleep, they are encouraged to rest before playing again.
Movement or Yoga
The teachers guide the children in outdoor movement and/or yoga. Some teachers choose to make this a part of the morning routine, while others keep it for the afternoon.
Working on different body poses in our beautiful outdoor space is fun for the children, and a wonderful way to improve body awareness, mindfulness, concentration and discipline.