Program
The Lamb Room (ages 6 weeks to 1 year)
The Rambler Room (ages 1 to 2 years) The Butterfly Room (ages 2 to 3 years) The Sunbeam Room (ages 3 to 4) The Pollywog Room (ages 4 to 5) Extended Day Program The Lamb Room Infants (ages 6 weeks to 1 year)
Our ratio of two teachers to four babies provides a safe, caring environment for these very little ones who quickly move from their long days of sleep to lots of floor play and movement around the room. Teachers are on the floor with the babies, singing, talking and interacting. Observation plays a key role as staff strive to provide the appropriate stimulation and activity to meet the needs of each baby.
The schedule is developed around the needs of the children, with time set aside each day for music, reading, and very simple art projects. Feeding and napping schedules are individualized. We also take the babies outside every morning and afternoon for a carriage walk or stroll around the campus. As they get older we introduce them to the toddler playground.
RETURN TO TOP The Rambler Room Young Toddlers (ages 1 to 2 years)
Known as “ramblers,” these little ones are off to explore the world. Over the bench, under the rail, they spend a large portion of the day developing their gross motor skills, both inside and out. Outside play is a must for these little ones. They have use of the campus at large as well as a toddler play area where they can dig in the sand and play safely on size-appropriate equipment. The ratio for our young toddlers is two teachers to six children, appropriate for the quick reaction needed to accommodate their experimental natures!
Their morning routine includes many hands-on art and sensory experiences as well as music and a lot of floor and playtime. Children move around the room freely, often stopping to enjoy a few minutes of story on a teacher’s lap. The children bring lunches from home, which they eat together around a low table. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided by the school. Children rest each afternoon for several hours on low cots. Continual observation by the teachers remains key to providing an appropriate environment for these little ones.
RETURN TO TOP The Butterfly Room Older Toddlers (ages 2 to 3 years)
These little ones have just gotten their wings and love to explore the George School campus. They become great little hikers as they journey down to the garden to dig or over to the barn to visit the horses and cats! (Class ratio in this group is 1 to 4). Each morning the children gather to say hello and plan their day. There is time for music and movement through dance, and plenty of floor time as they explore dramatic play with trucks, blocks, dolls and costumes. There is story time each morning as they learn to gather together for short group times.
Puzzles, play dough and simple manipulatives are on low shelves, for them to use during table time. They enjoy experimenting with scissors, crayons, markers and a variety of paper and textures as a part of their daily “creating” time.
These toddlers thoroughly enjoy interacting with their friends and teachers, their vocabularies growing by leaps and bounds as the year progresses. Diaper changing and potty time is indeed an important part of the toddler routine. Our philosophy is to “listen to the child” and to try to respond appropriately to his or her developmental cues in this and other readiness issues. These are toddlers on the go!
RETURN TO TOP The Sunbeam Room Preschool (ages 3 to 4)
Sunbeams! What a wonderful word to describe these sunny little faces. Full of themselves, laughter and tears often intertwined, they are so eager to explore the world around them. With a class ratio of one to seven, these three-year-olds love taking “adventure hikes” around the campus. Discovering a pile of old logs, they are quick to climb to the top as someone immediately conjures up an imaginative sailing ship, complete with a sea full of sharks! In their eyes everything is possible, and they are invincible.
As friends arrive the children gather for a “moment of silence” signaled by the strike of a small prayer bell. This provides time for a deep breath, some reflection about friends who are missing and an opportunity to share some thoughts. (They have many)! Singing favorite songs, moving to the music and acting out a favorite story are often a part of their morning circle. A routine they can count on, along with a good mix of spontaneity, create a comfortable environment where they can develop and grow.
Three-year-olds respond well to choices so the room is set up with a number of centers where they feel comfortable moving freely from one activity to another. Children can choose from a large array of activities - dramatic play, a large block area, an art center and many manipulatives. Easel painting, waterplay, sand, and play dough are nearly always available for sensory stimulation. Name recognition is reinforced by a simple “job chart” that is rotated each day so the children can feel as if their help is appreciated and important to the management of the room. They love doing for themselves and self-help skills are encouraged.
RETURN TO TOP The Pollywog Room Preschool (ages 4 to 5)
These little tadpoles are already growing legs and will soon be leaping frogs! Eager to please and growing in social awareness, these pre-kindergarteners are full of ideas! The curriculum in this room frequently evolves from the interests of the children and often grows into a long-term project. If the children are learning about sea life, you may see a full size child-made stuffed whale hanging from the ceiling or, if they are talking about the body, a human size skeleton made of paper towel tubes may startle you as you enter the room!
The children are learning to work together, proud of their ability to get along and to negotiate differences. Some of these children are comfortably writing their names and beginning to read and write simple words. This is reinforced with book making and a variety of games and activities, often generated at circle time. The teachers recognize the wide range of interests and abilities so characteristic of this age group so these pre-reading activities are a part of an informal process to encourage children’s comfort to work at their own level.
Circle time offers an opportunity to experiment with other languages in an informal way as well as lots of music and movement. The children also practice listening attentively to others during sharing time. With a class ratio of approximately one to eight, there are lots of activities going on in this busy room where children can move freely from one activity center to another. Developing close friendships is natural for four- and five-year-olds. The children are beginning to discriminate as to whom they are comfortable playing with, while learning a healthy respect for others. Outdoor time is essential for these growing children. They love exploring the huge expanse of the campus as well as practicing their skills on the monkey bars or digging in the sand at the playground.
RETURN TO TOP Extended Day Program The Center opens at 7:30 a.m. for our full day program. Children are free to explore the various centers (including dress-up play and blocks) or enjoy a story on a teacher’s lap. At 9:00 our more structured morning begins and the older groups meet for a welcome. At 11:45 a.m. we wash for lunch. Children bring their own lunches. (Snacks are served mid-morning and after nap each day). After lunch the children are pottied and diapered as they prepare to relax for storytime and nap. Children usually rest for approximately two hours. After nap, snack and some casual play, the children prepare to go outside. We use a variety of outdoor play spaces in the afternoon. The children enjoy this block of uninterrupted playtime – plenty of time to explore, dig in the sand, race a wheel toy in our riding area or kick a ball around the grass. The Center closes at 5:30 p.m. sharp! Another day of adventure has come to a close!
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