When you and your child arrive at school, we'll meet at the front door or side gate (location dependent on weather) for a big hello and some sanitizer for the hands. Parents sign in with our online childcare software management app Brightwheel with their personal phones. After a big hug and "see ya later" to their grown up, we begin our learning day with active play! Belongings are put into cubbies, backpacks on hooks, and Cubs are ready for a great day.

After our active play time, we go to our Preschool classroom for Circle Time. We pick our daily helper jobs, then talk about our focus for the day, and catch up on any exciting news anyone would like to share. At Circle we do our Calendar, read a story or sing a song, maybe do a little dance or fingerplay, then get our symbols for Work Time. We call it work time, because play is the work of children. 

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A note about symbols; A symbol is a special shape for each child, with their name on it. Their symbol helps them know where their things are in our classroom - their circle time spot, their art hanger, and their play space. They choose a center and put their symbol on the symbol board, showing other children that they are playing in that area. Each center has a set number of spaces, so each area doesn't get to crowded. Once the child is finished with their play, they clean up, take their symbol and make and move on to their next plan.

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Each student makes a plan "I want to play in the block area and build with blocks!" By making a plan, it helps them to direct their imagination and energy into what they want to do. Work Time is our indoor large exploration, children can choose anywhere within the classroom to play. During Work Time, Small Group projects are offered. This is our teacher led project time. Activities could be a special guest (a fire fighter, police officer, etc.) a science experiment, writing project, whatever we are exploring as a group that day. We value Process over Product, which means that there may not be many physical items coming home from school, as we may have learned a skill rather than produce something physical. At the end of Work Time, children bring back their symbols, and review - they tell us what their favorite thing was to do, then they return their symbol and sit at Circle.

Next up we have snack! Children wash their hands and sit at the table and have a healthy and delicious snack. Snack often consists of two components and a dipper, and a choice of milk or water. Students are encouraged to eat what they can, try new foods, and talk about what they like, what is new, and to count their snacks. They are also encouraged to clear their own dishes.

Once plates are cleared, we play outside! There are many fun options, including see saws, balls, digging in the dirt, and seasonal projects such as water play and gardening, and snow painting and building a snowperson. We play until pick up time, when we clean up, hydrate, grab our bags and say goodbye.. Another great day at Preschool complete!