Daily Schedule

I have answered a lot of questions about our daily schedule. So I decided to post it here! Call or email me with any questions!

Our daily preschool schedule provides both flexibility and structure that is such an important part of a young child’s life:

• 8:45-9:00 Arrival: Your child is excited as they arrive at school! You help your child put away snack and coats. Miss Tara greets children as they arrive and helps them explore different interest areas. Miss Tara facilitates learning by guiding and encouraging children in socialization and choosing and participating in learning center activities.

• 9:15-9:35 Welcome/Circle Time: Miss Tara welcomes children and leads them in daily fun and engaging ritual activities that develop large motor coordination, social skills, language and listening skills along with the ability to follow directions through: Pledge of Allegiance, birthdays, fingerplays, show and tell, patriotism,counting, and music /movement. Miss Tara and children discuss and observe calendar and weather which promotes emerging math and science skills.

• 9:35-9:55 Fine Motor/Language Arts/Math: Children will develop a love of learning through various activities incorporating Handwriting without Tears Pre-K program, learning sounds, counting, patterns and sequencing, colors and shapes, size, nursery rhymes, print messages, etc.

• 9:55-10:10 Wash Hands/SnackTime: Aided by Miss Tara, children wash their hands and enjoy a family style snack that supports the development of social skills. Snack time is a vital time for socialization and reenergizing for the rest of our day. Please make sure your child has a snack from home each day. (Miss Tara will have a couple of snacks on hand if a child forgets theirs).

• 10:10-10:30 Large Motor Play/Outside Time: Children are learning social, emotional and physical skills, while Miss Tara also interacts with children. The playground is considered an extension of the classroom. Activities may: include water/sand play, balls, sidewalk art, playhouse, swings/slide, trampoline, walks or wagon rides. Outdoor activities are dependent on weather. Each day we will try to at go outside at least for a few minutes. If it is necessary to play indoors we will develop Large Motor Skills in other ways.

• 10:40-11:20 Weekly Themed Literature/Craft Time: Miss Tara reads planned books to the group, as children develop listening, language and literacy skills. Children will explore theme through activities and crafts. Creativity is fostered as children choose ways to explore weekly/monthly themes. Some days this time will include a cooking activity. As Children finish their crafts they may choose Learning Centers.

• 11:20-11:35 Learning Centers: Children choose from rotating centers of their choice, while Miss Tara continues to facilitate socialization and learning. Learning Centers will rotate and may include:

Science: Magnets, Magnifying Glasses, Predictions, Experiments, Measuring, Nature. Art: Creative Creations using: Clay/Playdoh, Tracing, Stencils, Painting, Cutting, etc. Dramatic Play: Dressups, Pretend/role play, Housekeeping, Dolls & Action Figures. Construction: Blocks, Puzzles, Marble Run, Train Table, Car Mat, Duplos. Literature: Audio Books, Books on Computer, Acting out Books. Trough/Sensory: Sand, Water, Rice, shaving cream. Writing: Tracing, Stencils, Line Activities, Writing Activities, Typing Letters. Computer: Academic and Developmentally Appropriate Programs only

• 11:35-11:45 Prep for Dismissal: Miss Tara assists children in reviewing the new activities and ideas they explored today. Children participate in straightening up classroom with Miss Tara.

This is a general guideline. Schedule is subject to change at Miss Tara’s discretion. Bathrooms breaks occur during scheduled breaks as well as whenever necessary. Our schedule may also alter during the winter season when more time is needed for dressing into winter clothes. Although I am a firm believer in the value of schedule and daily routine, I also do not believe in limiting the creative process by the clock. The structure of the day needs to be flexible to take into account a child's level of engagement. Teachers curtailing activity simply because of the time on a clock face counters my vision of the children as capable, creative and spontaneous learners.

See you soon!