Greeting Time

The morning separation time is different for each family, as they have developed their own ways for saying goodbye. Few children arrive before 7:00 a.m.; those who do are greeted in a room with a mixed age group. Those who arrive after 7:00 a.m. are greeted in their own classroom. This is a perfect time for families and staff to communicate with each other and share any concerns or special instructions for the day. Arrivals take place between 6:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Early Morning/Late Afternoon

As children arrive, they can make activity choices in the classroom. They are encouraged to explore and collaborate with one another and their teachers. Center exploration takes place before morning circle time between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. As children start to go home in the late afternoon, children get the opportunity to work and play in mixed age groups between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Snack Time

Snacks are served in the classroom and children are invited to take turns to visit the snack tables. Teachers remind children to wash their hands and supervise them to make sure it is done correctly. Early morning snack is served between 7:10-7:30 a.m. and afternoon snack is served between 2:35 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. A late snack is also offered between 4:40 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Circle Time

The entire class meets together during Circle Time as a transition from the early morning center explorations to small group work time. The children and the teachers sing songs together, share important classroom news and happenings, and discuss any projects and themes. They also pick classroom helpers for the day. The teachers also use this time to introduce a main topic/lesson from the reading readiness program. Circle Time takes place between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

Small Group Work/Center Exploration/Breakfast

Children work in small groups in the classroom. A small group works with a teacher typically on a hands-on activity in literacy, math, art, etc. or to review lessons from the reading readiness program. The rest of the children select an area of the classroom to work in, often with a creative presentation set up by the teachers to help enhance their time in that area. While one works with the small groups, another teacher in the room circulates throughout the room and helps support and extend the children's learning experience by offering suggestions, helping them resolve issues, and make notes of any important observations regarding the children's development. Children are also encouraged to visit the breakfast table at this time in between their small group work and center exploration. Small group time and Center Exploration time takes place between 8:45 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. Breakfast is offered from 9:25 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Afternoon Center explorations and small group work time occurs between 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Children who stay later are given more center exploration time between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.