Sample Day

Hours 8:00-3:00 pm

8:00 – Arrival/Sign In: Parents or other caregivers must sign their child in, communicate any necessary information to teachers, help their child get ready for their morning by assisting them in putting their clothes, lunch etc. in cubbies and on hooks, washing their hands, applying sunscreen if necessary and seeing that they are settled with a teacher or activity. 

8:30-9:30 - Free Choice/Play: Our classroom is set up to facilitate exploration and experimentation, encouraging independence and the children’s ability to make appropriate choices. Their interactions with the environment, materials, peers and teachers foster creativity, socialization and self-regulation. Through their play and other experiences children develop the cognitive, physical and social/emotional competencies that provide the strongest and broadest foundation for their growth.

9:30-9:50 - Morning Meeting: We gather as a whole group in our meeting area. This time is used to listen to the sound of the singing bowl, greet one another, discuss the day’s activities, introduce new concepts, share thoughts and ideas and collaboratively solve problems that may have arisen.

9:50-10:30 - Children wash their hands and eat a nutritious snack from home.  If weather permits we eat outdoors.  Teachers sit the children in small groups and encourage conversation, model prosocial meal time habits, and participate with the group in games such as “I Spy” or encourage them to share ideas about what they notice (birds, bugs, weather etc.)  Children will check into the bathroom before or after snack.

10:30 -11:40 - Outdoor play in the playard, field, bike riding, walking field trips. Every child will go outside for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. Teachers and children work together to clean up the morning’s activities inside and outside. 

11:40 - 12:00 - Storytime, Songs and Fingerplays: A teacher leads the children in a whole group story time reading books, singing songs, practicing finger rhymes, or telling a flannel board story.

12:00 – 12:45 - Lunch/Bathroom check in:  Children wash their hands, eat lunch together and check in with the bathroom.  (Or sign out for ½ days and holidays)

12:45 – 1:00: Set up for Rest /Nap: Children prepare for rest time by collaborating with a teacher to gather what they need for rest (e.g., blanket/stuffy and quiet activities such as books, puzzles, and manipulatives).

1:15 – 2:00 – Rest: Children nap or engage in quiet activities (e.g., books, puzzles, manipulatives)

2:00 - 2:30– Quiet indoor activities or outdoor play

2:30 – 3:00 – Departure/Sign Out