Children feel safe and secure when they have consistency and predictable patterns. Please note that any of the routines and activities listed with an asterisk (*) are explained in detail immediately following the daily schedule.

7:45-9:00 a.m. Arrival Time for Extended Morning Hours
(Free Play in Specified Centers)
9:00-9:15a.m. Children arrive for morning/full day session
9:15-9:30 a.m. Circle time *
9:30-10:45 a.m. Learning Center Activity Time*
10:45-11:00 a.m. Clean Up time and Hand Washing*
11:00-11:15 a.m. Snack*
11:15-12:00 p.m. Outdoor Activities (Weather permitting)*
12:00-12:15 p.m. Hand washing/Toileting
12:15 Morning Session Dismissal/ Afternoon Session Arrival
12:15-12:45 p.m. Lunch*
12:45-1:00 p.m. Story for all children including children that rest, afternoon
arrivals and children five years of age
1:00-1:30p.m. Rest time for children under the age of five.
(Please refer to rest time policy in family handbook)
1:00-1:30 p.m. Table top activities for children arriving
(p.m. session) and/or 5 years of age
1:30-2:00 p.m. All additional centers are open
2:00-2:15 p.m. Clean- Up and Hand Washing
2:15-2:30 p.m. Snack
2:30-3:15 p.m. Outdoor Play
3:15- 3:30p.m. Afternoon Session Dismissal
3:30-4:45 p.m. Center Activities for Extended Afternoon Hours

Breakfast
Children arriving before 9:00 a.m. can bring breakfast to school.

Circle Time
Although we gather together as a whole group several times throughout the day, the class meets for both morning circle and afternoon story time. Children gain the experience of belonging to classroom community. Circle time also gives children the opportunity to practice many skills including taking turns, sharing, listening, and speaking to others.

We start each circle time with a familiar song or finger play. We read and listen to stories, introduce and review new vocabulary words and concepts. The teachers introduce and demonstrate new activities that are connected to each of the learning centers.

Learning Center Activity Time
Children have the freedom to select the learning centers (interest areas) in which they would like to work including Math, Science, Dramatic Play, Library, Art, Woodworking, Blocks, Table Top, and Sensory. The materials and activities in the learning centers support the curriculum using developmentally appropriate and meaningful play experiences as guidelines while specific activities support the total development of each individual child.

We do not force children to rotate into each of the learning centers. Children are learning and developing critical skills, concepts and decision-making techniques that are connected with their learning styles, when they make their own choices. Staff members circulate and work with small groups of children, asks questions to heighten, and/or extend a child's curiosity, observe, and often are invited by the children to join in their "play" activities.

Outdoor Time
When the weather is inclement, we extend our learning center time, and incorporate large muscle activities into our indoor activities. We organize balance beam activities, play our rhythm sticks and beanbag games, and stretch and dance to movement and music activities.

Snack and Lunch Time
The staff sits with the children during snack and lunch and engages them in meaningful conversations. We use this opportunity to assist the children as they learn to pour their own juice or milk from child sized containers. Please be certain that your child likes the selection of food you send for snack and lunch because according to New Jersey Licensing Laws the staff is not permitted to force a child to eat. Please refer to the Appendix 2 for a list of healthy food suggestions.

Dismissal
Please make every attempt to pick your child up on time. Young children don't fully understand the concept of time. Although the staff makes every effort to reassure them that you are on your way, as they see the other children being picked up, they become upset while waiting, when you are late. In the event that you are going to be late, please call us so that we may relay the message to your child.

Hand Washing and Toileting
We address the topic of proper hygiene habits and always have children wash their hands upon arrival, before participating in a cooking activity, before snack and lunch,before/after using the water table and after playing outdoors. Your child will not be able to use the water table indoor or outdoor if s/he has a scab, sore, or open cut on their hands, wrists, or forearms. Children are always reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet. We do not schedule a "time" when children have to use the bathroom. We remind children frequently throughout the day, before and after eating snack and lunch, going outside and/or rest time. We realize that some children need a little more encouragement than others do and make every effort to support their individual needs. We recognize that very young children may occasionally have accidents. This is handled sensitively by our staff so that children will not feel embarrassed.