Our Programs
Our childcare programs are based on learning through play, and focused on a philosophy of deep respect.
Multi-Age
The multi-age program is intended to provide stable child care to families over an extended period and allow deep, rewarding relationships to flourish. We believe that the range of ages provides children with opportunities to both learn from more experienced children and to teach and care for less experienced children. Our goal is to provide a home-like environment for children. There are 8 children registered in the Happy Foot program, and at any given time there are 2-3 children under the age of 3.
Responsive Curriculum
We expect that with the mixed age range we will encounter a wide range of interests and abilities. We believe this provides us with the opportunity to develop a truly responsive curriculum and program. We negotiate and co-create plans with children. Some plans will be long-term projects while other events may be of short duration. We provide many interesting provocations for children’s exploration.
Responsive Curriculum, sometimes called Emergent Curriculum, is curriculum that is built entirely out of the children’s interests. The first part of responsive curriculum involves giving children something to respond to, i.e. free play, an engaging, beautiful environment, and varied experiences. Water, paint, dirt, rocks, songs, relationships, paper, blocks, magnatiles, nature, signs and everyday routines such as lunch, rest, or cleaning are all examples of experiences that can provide a jumping off point for curriculum. Once we notice an interest children have, we scaffold different experiences to support it. Children are learning machines, and will voraciously pursue knowledge about topics they’re interested in. When we allow this natural process to flourish alongside long periods of free play, the typical check marks of preschool are naturally and easily accomplished, without worksheets, without didactic teaching practices, and without forcing children to do things they don’t want to do. Responsive curriculum asserts that learning deeply about fewer topics is more enriching and more satisfying than learning about few (and pre-determined), topics broadly.
Daily Schedule
The daily flow of activity is responsive to various factors, including the interests and weather. During the spring and summer months, we spend most of the day outdoors. We often will eat our lunches outside. During the fall and winter months, although we always still go outside, we focus on more project work, spending time in the art, science or block areas, for example. However, there is a basic structure that we base the day on.
As the staff and children arrive, we encourage free play so that we can all have a chance to connect with everyone.
Morning snack is offered throughout this time, ending approximately at 9:45am. Each day we try to gather the children for a discussion and some songs. Usually it’s in the morning. We gather and encourage the children to participate in this meeting, so that we can share a story, song or experience. We also like to introduce practicum students, substitutes, etc. After the Morning Meeting, the children and staff break into their Assigned Care-giving groups. At approximately 11:30am the groups begin to prepare for lunch-time. Around 12:30pm, we break into two groups. Children who nap regularly begin to prepare for naptime. The non-nappers are usually given a choice to either participate in a quiet activity inside the other room or go outside. We find that most of the children prefer to head outside to stretch and get some fresh air. Later, they are invited to come back inside for a quiet time, where they calm their bodies down by either listening to soothing music or looking at a book quietly. Our afternoon program begins around 2:30, with snack. Children are invited to choose one of the activities being offered by the staff. These might include participation in on-going project work or a walk down the trails or over to another outdoor play space. Finally, around 4:45pm the children and staff begin to prepare for the end of the day. A story may be shared in the cubby area, while lunch kits and individual cubbies are organized.
Children under the age of 3 years must be picked up by 5:30pm, and those children over 3 years by 6:00pm. Please note the center closes at 6:00pm.
Birthday Parties
You have the option of celebrating your child’s birthday at the daycare.
Children have lots of fun participating in baking the birthday cake.
For birthdays or celebrations, we invite parents to attend and bring a selection of delicious fruits. We make a low sugar birthday treat to serve alongside.
Music
Music plays an essential role in many children’s educational institutions. No matter which steps the children are, most of them are eager to make movements when they are following the rhythm of the music. The main point of music that appeals to children is not the melody of music, but the rhythm that comes from the music (Young, 2007). Children are following the rhythm of music by shaking their arms, moving their bodies, thumbing their feet depending on what kind of music they are listening to.
Following children’s rhythm, music and movement creates a social connection between children and a way of communication to express their ideas and feelings. Nobody knows in advance what a body can do when listening to music especially the responses of children as they live in the moments.
Yoga
Since March we have started started music and movement with Rebecca from Drama Bugs and Nousha from Yoga and Children.
Children have made connection with both Classes and enjoy them.
Music class starts at 10:30 on Tuesdays. Yoga class starts at 9:30 on Wednesdays
Please make sure to drop off your child before or after not during the sessions.