9:00-9:30 a.m. – Drop off & Play at Landing Pads
Upon arrival, families will prepare children for the day with toileting, sunscreen application, and layering up for the weather, then helping their child plug into play at our landing pads. Landing pads will rotate based on the weekly single-skill and may include things such as sensory tables full of science investigations, water table, mud kitchen, reading tent, art easel, building projects, or play in the fairy forest. Then we say, “see you soon!” to our caregivers to start our days’ adventures.
9:40-9:50 a.m. – Gathering Circle
At the sound of the drumbeat echoing through the woods, we join together as a community to sing good morning songs, greet our friends, go over the weather, discuss expectations, and talk about the days’ rhythm.
9:50-10:20 a.m. – Snack & Storytime
We take a break to use the potty and wash hands, and head to our morning adventure spot where we fuel up on a snack (brought from home), and read stories related to the weekly single-skill.
10:20 a.m.-12 p.m. — Nature Immersion / Child-Led Play
Perhaps the most important of all, our child-led time spent in nature will look different each day. We set up our classroom with loose parts related to the weekly single-skill, and children get the opportunity to explore and relate with nature on their own terms and to have uninterrupted child-led play in nature. Social-emotional learning, imagination, creativity, and wonder take the reins, and the possibilities are purposefully endless.
12:00-12:45 p.m. — Lunch
Children will have the opportunity for an unhurried lunch (brought from home) and time to talk and tell stories with friends.
12:45-1:45 p.m. — Sit Spots & Independent Play
An independent sit spot gives children a chance to rest their minds, still their bodies, and recharge for the afternoon. Depending on the weekly single-skill, children are offered sensory materials, art materials, books, or other independent play options.
1:45-3:00 p.m. — Guided Activity
After sit spots, we use the potty and then transition to our afternoon adventure. Our teachers lead a guided activity related to the weekly single skill, such as an art project, scavenger hunt, science experiment, gardening, or visiting the animals. On Wednesdays, families may opt for their child to participate in Young Musician’s Academy, a fun hands-on, interactive music class.
3:00-3:30 p.m. — Afternoon Teatime
We drink tea, eat our afternoon snack (brought from home), sing songs to reflect on the day’s highlights, and to say goodbye to our friends.
3:30-4:00 p.m. — Pickup & Play at Landing Pads
Children have the opportunity to revisit our landing pads, which vary based on the weekly single skill: act out a puppet show, swing in the hammock, dig in the construction zone, create in the mud kitchen, or splash in the water table. We rejoin our families with lots of stories to tell about our days’ adventures.