Schedule
8:30 – 9:30 Drop off, settle in and free play
9:30 – 10:00 Morning snack (sample menu)
10:00 – 10:30 Get ready for outside play
10:30 – 11:30 Outdoor play
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch time (sample menu)
12:30 – 1:00 Story time
1:00 – 3:00 Nap time
3:00 – 3:30 Slow wake up
3:30 – 4:00 Afternoon snack (sample menu)
4:00 – 4:30 Getting ready to go
4:30 – 5:30 Outdoor play and pickup
Goals
I begin care with new children with an open mind and flexible attitude. What worked in the past may not continue working.
I aim to co-create a daily rhythm with the children so there is a general plan that works for them. They learn what to expect from different points in the day and also learn where there is flexibility to follow their interests or needs on a given day.
Beyond that, I have a few general goals I always keep in mind.
Keep transitions to a minimum. Larger chunks of time in each activity allow children to settle in and have time for creative exploration of their environment.
Maintain lots of time for eating and getting dressed. I provide plenty of time to work on learning these important self-care tasks.
Sprinkle in lessons throughout the day: counting our apple slices during snack, naming colours we see in our lunch, singing songs on our walk to the park, practicing fine motor skills during eating and dressing, caring for our space by tidying together and setting our own places at the table.
Add in occasional adult-directed activities (such as making pizza dough for lunch, making muffins, making playdough, simple hand sewing or weaving, messy crafts) when energy levels and time allow. I will typically have 1-2 of these bigger activities planned per week, and then add them in on days when we need something extra, if the kids are really interested, or on bad weather days.