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Daily Program
The following guidelines will help you get comfortable with the routines of the day.
The times and schedules are not rigid; the teacher will adjust the timing based on the childrens' needs, the time of the year, to accommodate special events, and to respond in accordance to other events that may affect the daily schedule. While routines are important in helping children know what to expect and feel secure, flexibility is the key to smooth functioning in the classroom. The key to our classroom community is creating a sense of belonging for all children. Please feel free to raise questions and concerns to the teacher.
ARRIVAL
Please make every effort to arrive on time. It is hard on all of the children and especially your own when you are regularly late. When children arrive at school, their parents should take them inside to leave their personal belongings in their cubbies and help settle children in with the group. As the co-oping parent, your job is to help engage the children in an activity with someone else. Non-co-opers should leave the classroom as soon as possible to allow freedom for their child. On occasion, some children will have separation issues that may require an individual plan to be arranged with the teacher.ACTIVITY TIME
When we go come in from outside, children will go to the window sill and get their name tag and decide where they will begin their day. Our philosophy is to give children lots of choices during this time. Children are not forced to participate in any activity although they are encouraged to look at all possibilities. Options of the day might include blocks, dramatic play, art, science, books, playdough, water table, music, gross motor, construction, group game, etc. Parents will be asked to facilitate one part of the classroom based on the interests of the children. We are not "teaching" children, but acting as "consultants" to their work. They will tell us if and how we can become involved. Follow their lead, and you will discover the magic! Again, be mindful of observing the details and their interests so that we can build upon them each day. This is a good time to ask them to "Tell You a Story" and write it down on the clipboards provided. These may be read at the end of each day as time permits. For messier projects, smocks are available. If clothes get excessively wet, each child should have a change of clothes in his or her cubby and we have extras as well. You are strongly encouraged to send your child in clothes that can get dirty or even stained. The paint is washable, but doesn't always come out. Parents working near the art table should ask the child if they would like to keep their art; if so ask them if they would like to write their name on it somewhere. Please accept whatever they write as their name. If they choose not to write their name, you may ask whether they would like you to write it and where. If they don't want a name on it, that's fine. It's helpful to put their initials unobtrusively on the back in case we can't remember to whom it belongs. Some children may want to hang things on the wall, others will not. Some will want to take them home and others will not. This is their choice. Again, think PROCESS, not products for adult pleasure. Children can save their buildings or creations on the saving shelf or in the block area on occasion. They can make signs to "Keep Off" or we have stop signs available. Please let them design their own signs. Sometimes they need to take pictures of their creations instead with the Polaroid camera. (On Thursdays, the room must be clear for church purposes).CLEAN-UP TIME
At a certain point during activity time, the teacher will give the kids a "five minute warning" to finish up what they are doing. This is the co-opers' cue to be ready to facilitate cleaning of the room for the day. They get pleasure out of putting the room back together, so please encourage them to help out in your area when they are finished their assigned job. If they need another job, send them over to the teacher.CIRCLE TIME
After clean-up, they will join the teacher on the rug. Please help them finish up what they are doing and join us on the rug (One co-oping parent will clean up tables and finish preparing snack). Occasionally children will need help during a circle time, sometimes simply moving closer to them. The teacher may cue you when she needs your help. At the end of Gathering, children will shuttle to the bathroom in groups of about five children per adult to wash hands for snack. Please encourage autonomy and let the children help one another turn on the water, pump soap, get towels, etc. One co-oping parent will change diapers at this time as needed. When children need to use the bathroom at other times during the day, they must be accompanied by an adult. This adult should notify the teacher or another adult that they are leaving the room (i.e. "I'm taking three kids to the bathroom .") This allows for better coverage of the room and an awareness of childrens' whereabouts at all times.
SNACK
The snack has been set on the table during circle time. With the exception of foods requiring refrigeration (which can be picked up in the kitchen during circle time), all napkins, cups, pitchers, and food should be in place on the table. One adult should be seated at each table. During snack, please have conversations with the children at your table. As co-oper, you are responsible for the children at your table. Please see that they remain seated while eating. Children help themselves to "family style" snack and should be encouraged to take their fair share and pass the basket to the next person. The adult at each table should ask one of the children to fill the pitcher half-full with water. After snack, children are responsible for cleaning up their own spot: throw away their trash, wipe their table (and chair if necessary), and sweep under their chair. Reminder! To encourage independence, children should pour water and pass the food for themselves. When all children are finished eating, the snack parent should clean up as much as possible.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Outside is an extension of the classroom, and co-oping parents are expected to function in meaningful ways. Parents should station themselves on the playground to allow ample visual surveillance of the children's play with an eye for safety. We encourage you to play with the children, letting them take the leadership role. Hang on and enjoy the ride! Please keep conversations with other adults to a minimum. Some of children's most creative play can be observed outside, and we need all eyes to track their interests and to generate and expand ideas. As a general rule of thumb, stationing yourself at the swings, sandbox, slide or climber will allow for appropriate coverage. If in doubt, check with the teacher who may ask you to rotate periodically. The slide may be "up" or "down" but not at the same time. Children should be encouraged to climb and hang by themselves; if they are physically not able to handle the challenge then you can talk them through it or do it together. Encourage them to challenge themselves! Capes are not allowed on the equipment. Sand should stay in the sandbox.STORIES
At the end of the day, we will all join together to read stories from the day, tell of things that happened and experience a sense of community as families begin to arrive to take children home. Please remember to be on the rug with the children rather than having conversations with other adults that are arriving.PICK-UP TIME
Before entering the classroom to greet your child, please take care of any personal business that you need to-check your mailbox, make playdate arrangements with a friend, etc. This ensures safety and a smooth transition for ALL of the children. ALL adults are reminded to pick up children ON TIME! The co-opers have work to finish up in the classroom and are eager to get on with their other responsibilities. Please be respectful of your fellow co-opers, as you will be in the same situation on a regular basis. Once parents arrive for pick-up, your child (or carpool) is your responsibility. Please keep them with you while you gather your things together and then take your children home. Many children are hungry and tired at pick-up time and need your full attention-they have worked hard all morning! Children may choose one book from the library to take home. When they return this book, they may choose another one.IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AT ANY TIME, PLEASE ASK, ASK, ASK! SOMETIMES THE REASONS FOR THINGS MAY NOT BE OBVIOUS TO YOU, BUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE CLASSROOM IS CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN. PLEASE DIRECT ALL CONCERNS REGARDING THE CLASSROOM OR CHILDREN DIRECTLY TO THE TEACHER-DIRECTOR; DON'T RUMINATE, ILLUMINATE! KEEP OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND WORKING TOGETHER ALIVE AND WELL FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL FAMILIES!
