Typical Daily Routine At School
OPENING TIME
The Center opens at 7:30 am. This early part of the day includes a health screening for communicable illnesses, breakfast and offers a time for mixed group play. Munchkins, however, generally stay in their classroom. Often, this period ends with the whole group singing or listening to a story.
MORNING CIRCLE
This is when the children join their individual classes for Hello Time during which they greet each other and chat together.
SMALL GROUP TIME
Small group is a fifteen minute teacher – directed activity when the teachers work together with the group using similar materials. Teachers select the materials but children may use the materials how they wish. Materials might be scissors and paper, water and bubbles, baby dolls, blocks etc. Small Group uses the key experiences and is designed to open up possibilities and choices to the children as they work together as a group.
PLANNING TIME
At planning time, children and teachers talk about the children’s plan for work time. They discuss what each child wants to do and how the child might go about doing it. Depending on their age and developmental level, children may designate their plans by gesturing, using words, tracing an object, or drawing a picture.
WORK TIME
During work time, children carry out initial plans and spontaneously make new plans as they change activities. Students may play in rooms other than their own and interact with other teachers and classroom materials. This broadens their choices and play experiences.
CLEAN UP TIME
At the end of work time, children participate in cleaning up the work areas of the school. As they put away the toys and materials, they learn not only where things go, but that familiar things go together, and they begin to develop a system for finding things they need.
RECALL
This time of day gives the children the opportunity to remember and share what they did during work time. Children talk about their play, sometimes showing an object they used during work time or a product they created.
OUTSIDE TIME
Time outside on the playground is an integral part of the day at Abracadabra. If the weather permits, small group and work time may take place outside. During this time, children have a chance to exercise large muscles by running, jumping, climbing, sliding, riding trikes or playing with balls. Also, there is opportunity for art, pretend and sand play as well as time to daydream, look for bugs, find interesting sticks, scoop pebbles, etc. Organized play can include running games such as “red rover”, parachutes and ball games.
There is also opportunity to sit quietly and chat with a teacher or another friend if that is the desire of the child.
LUNCH
Lunch is generally served between 11:45 and noon. The Munchkins eat in the kitchen area and the Wizards and Genies eat in the art room. The Wizards eat first while the Genies have a story in their classroom. Children are encouraged to eat and to try new foods. Teachers sit with the children and help them practice social and self help skills. Children are encouraged to clean up after themselves by throwing away their trash and clearing their place at the table. Toileting and preparation for nap follows lunch. A lunch menu is sent home each month. Children may also bring lunch from home if they choose.
NAP TIME
Nap is from 1 to 3. Story tapes, classical or other soft music is played while children are sleeping. Children need a blanket and a soft toy from home to use during nap time. Not all children sleep, but they must rest. Children eat snack when nap time is over.
LARGE GROUP TIME
Children participate in games, songs, stories and movement activities in their classroom during this time of the day.
OUTSIDE TIME
Again, children play outside; weather permitting in a mixed group. Many children are picked up from the playground. This is also a time when parents have opportunity to chat with a teacher or watch the children play.
CLOSING TIME
The Center closes at 6. During the winter months, the children come back inside to play around 5.