Programs and Activities
The Toddler Program is similar to our 3 year old program in that it has different segments of the day devoted to table-toy time, blocks, group time, open room, etc. It is different in that it is more flexible as to the length of each segment on any given day.
The 2 year olds do participate in "all school" activities, and they have the benefit of all the same specialists in music, movement and art as the 3 and 4 year olds.
2 Year Old Program Initiation
To
assist in toddler adjustment, we open school for "Visiting Week" at
the end of August or early September to our 2, 3 and 4 year olds. During
this week, we welcome children with their parents, relatives or babysitter to
come and explore our classrooms and play on our playground as a means of becoming
familiar with their school environment. They can come as often as they like
during this week. It is an opportunity for toddlers to become acquainted with
the school and some of the administrative staff, but not their teachers.
Early in September, we invite parents of our new 2 year olds to our school. It is an informative evening centering on the needs of 2 year olds, program activities and concerns of parents. A question and answer session proves to be a valuable part of this meeting. Parents also get to meet their child's teachers who introduce themselves that night.
On a day of the week before school begins for our 2 year olds, we will have set up an appointment with parents and toddlers to "Meet the Teachers." This allows a special time for the toddlers, their parents and teachers to get to know each other before school officially begins. The visit that day is 45 minutes in duration.
Additionally, to aid in toddler
adjustment, our sessions for 2 year olds (mornings and afternoons) are shortened
by a half hour during the first week of school, ending at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.,
respectively. They also begin one week later than the other preschoolers.
Orientation and Adjustment to School
for 3 and 4 year olds
Beginning pre-school is an exciting
experience for young children, yet it is
normal for this time to be an apprehensive one. Most children adjust easily
to school once they feel comfortable and relaxed in their new surroundings.
For this reason, we open school for "Visiting Week" at the end of
August or in early September. During this week, we welcome children with their
parents, relatives or babysitter to come and explore our classrooms and play
on our playground as a means of becoming familiar with their school
environment. They can come as often as they like during this week. It is an opportunity
for children to get to know their school and some members of the
administrative staff, but not their teachers.
When school actually begins in mid-September, the day before opening day
is designated "Meet the Teachers Day." This allows a special time for
children, parents and teachers to become acquainted with each other before
school officially begins. The visit that day is one hour in duration for
each group of children. The rest of the week will operate at normally
scheduled times for our 3 and 4 year olds.
3 Year Old Daily
Program
9:00 A.M./1:00 P.M.
Table Toy Time
This is a nice, calm way to begin
each day. Children enter their classroom and are greeted by their teachers. They
hang up their coats in
their cubby, and select a toy from the shelves. They can either engage in
solitary play, or choose a friend or friends to play with. This is also a
time when teachers can either set up small group games of bingo, dominoes,
etc. or work one-on-one with a particular child. We change the equipment
monthly to keep things fresh and interesting.
9:35
A.M./1:35 P.M. Attendance & Group Time
After cleaning up from table-toy time, the children come together "on
the rug" for group time. This is a time in which children need to sit
quietly and be attentive to the task at hand. This is, of course, no small
feat! Therefore, the time allotted for this activity is intentionally short.
Usually the teacher uses this segment of the day to pose a question to the
group, and gives each child a chance to give an individual response.
Attendance is then taken, and two children are chosen to bring the
attendance sheet to the office. This is a big honor!
9:45 A.M./1:45 P.M. Outdoor Play
This is the time of day when children get to use their gross motor
skills and have fun. There are two different areas for outdoor activity. Our
blacktop area is equipped with many different riding vehicles. Our
playground is quite expansive, allowing for plenty of running, climbing and
free play.
10:20 A.M./2:20 P.M. Wash Hands!
10:30 A.M./2:30 P.M. Snack Time
This is the quietest time of day! Children sit at the tables, and are
provided with their own self-made placemat. Each child is given juice, milk
or water, and some combination of cookies, crackers, pretzels, fruit, vegetables,
etc. Teachers often take this quiet moment to play music. As children finish their
snack, they know to recycle their cups, throw away their napkins, and
take a book to look at on the rug.
10:45 A.M./2:45 P.M. Story Time/Music
The class comes together on the rug to listen to a story read by one of their
teachers or to sing a few songs.
11:00 A.M./3:00 P.M. Open Room Time
During open room time, children have the freedom to select any area that
they would like to play in. The different areas consist of blocks, dramatic
play, computer, easel painting, art, playdough, water play, etc. This is the
messier and freer time of day. Every child is encouraged to explore each area often.
11:40A.M./3:40 P.M. Dismissal
4 Year Old Daily Program
9:00 A.M./1:00 P.M. Table Toy Time
This is a nice, calm way to begin each day. Children enter their
classroom and are greeted by their teachers. They hang up their coat in
their cubby, and select a toy from the shelves. They can either engage in
solitary play, or choose a friend or friends to play with. This is also a
time when teachers can either set up small group games of lotto, dominoes,
etc. or work one-on-one with a particular child. We change the equipment
monthly to keep things fresh and interesting.
9:35 A.M./1:35 P.M. Attendance & Group
Time
After cleaning up from table toy time, the children come together "on
the rug" for group time. In addition to the goals of the 3 year old group,
the 4 year old group time provides an opportunity for the "helper of the
day" to lead the class in discussion of the calendar and the weather. During
group time in the 4¹s, the teacher often involves the children in an
activity having to do with their current theme or the letter of the week.
Popular themes in the past have been Dinosaurs, Space, Animals, and
Rainforests.
10:00 A.M./2:00 P.M. Snack Time
This is the quietest time of day! Children sit at the tables, and are
provided with their own self-made placemat. Each child pours their own juice
or water, and some combination of cookies, crackers, fruit, pretzels, vegetables,
etc. is given. Teachers often take this quiet moment to play
music. As children finish their snack, they know to recycle their cups,
throw away their napkins, and take a book to look at on the rug.
10:15 A.M./2:15 P.M. Story Time/Music
The class comes together on the rug, and either listens to a story read
by one of their teachers or sings a few songs with their teachers.
10:25 A.M./2:25 P.M. Open Room Time
During open room time, children have the freedom to select any area that
they would like to play in. The different areas consist of blocks, dramatic
play, computer, easel painting, art, listening center, writing table, water
play, etc. This is the messier and freer time of day. Every child is
encouraged to explore each area often.
11:10 A.M./3:10 P.M. Outdoor Play
This is the time of day when children get to use their gross motor
skills and have fun. There are two different areas used for outdoor
activity. Our blacktop area is equipped with many different riding vehicles.
Our playground is quite expansive, allowing for plenty of running, free play
and climbing on the equipment.
11:40 A.M./3:40 P.M. Dismissal
Special Activities
Throughout the year, we have different activities which involve parent
participation. In early September, we begin with Toddler Night for the
parents of our 2 year olds. In October, there is an Open House for parents
of 3 year olds and in November, for parents of 4 year olds. In the Spring, our 3 and 4 year old classes put on a play to which parents are invited.
The 2 year old classes perform a Spring Musical. A Farewell Party is given
at the end of the school year for our 4 year old children and their parents.
We occasionally sponsor workshops for parents on a pertinent
parent/child topic.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Your child's teacher will contact you concerning a formal conference.
Conferences with parents of 2 year olds are scheduled in December and those
with 3 and 4 year olds are done on a special Conference Day in January. If a
parent-teacher conference cannot be done on this special day, another time
will be arranged for you to meet with your child's teacher. This conference
gives us an opportunity to share our experiences of your child with you. In
addition, we are very interested in all that you have to share with us.
Please understand that you should feel comfortable requesting additional
conference time whenever the need arises. Your child's teachers and
administrative staff are always available to speak with you. We understand
the importance of the parent-teacher partnership and that open lines of communication
are crucial in our relationship with you.
Communication
We are well aware that preschoolers are not the best at communicating
exactly what activities occur during the day. In light of this fact, we
encourage our teachers to send home newsletters that inform you of the
happenings of the week. In addition, you can always call your child's
teachers at school or the administrative staff with any questions that you
might have.
Visiting
Despite our busy driveway, we are always glad to welcome parents
to our
school. Please feel free to visit. We just ask that you call us in advance
of your visit, so we can make sure that there are no scheduling conflicts.
Shorter visits seem to do better for the children. Be prepared that your
child will probably want to go home with you after the visit. There are no
visits for the first month of school, except of course, for your child's
birthday celebration.
Birthdays
Birthdays are a time to celebrate! The teachers always make a birthday crown
for the birthday child, and parents are welcome to visit with a birthday
treat for the class, i.e. cupcakes, ice cream, etc. Some parents stay and visit
for awhile, taking advantage of the special "Kodak moments," and
often enjoy
taking the opportunity to read their child's favorite story to the class. If your child's birthday falls during the summer, we will be happy to
arrange a time before school ends to celebrate it.
Summer Program
Our school offers a wonderful summer program for children turning 3, 4, 5, and 6 years of age.
A summer packet will be mailed to you in November. You can call our office for more information regarding this program.
