Much of our child care program is based on the "play-discovery" theory. We believe that children's play is their work - it is how they learn best. The program provides a schedule of activities that is flexible, but routine enough for children to feel secure and comfortable. Throughout the entire day, the underlying emphasis is to allow children the opportunity to make choices, learn self-help and problem-solving skills, experience the world around them and HAVE FUN!
WeI allow limited TV viewing consisting of PBS only. On occasion, we allow children to pick an appropriate video to watch. Children are never required to watch TV and it's not offered in place of free play or learning activities. Television is usually offered in the morning during arrivals, during naptime for school children while waiting for younger ones to awaken and also at the end of the day during departures.
Free play is an important part of a child's early years. It is here that they learn social skills needed for the rest of their lives. We provide a variety of age-appropriate toys for your child to play with. They will have the opportunity to use a variety of art materials, manipulative and housekeeping equipment. Since the ages of the children we care for do vary, all the toys we have are safe for even the youngest. Enough time, materials and space will be provided for children to actively explore. Some of the activities will include:
* Language development: Books, music, story time
* Large muscle skills: Balls, bean bags, tunnels, indoor climber, outdoor play
* Small muscle skills: Arts/crafts, blocks, pegboard, puzzles, lacing
* Creative expression: Music/instruments, puppets, dramatic play including dolls,
kitchen and dress-up
* Sensory: Play-doh, water/sand, finger painting
* Self-help skills: Assist with mealtime, dress self for outdoors, pickup toys
Following is the daily schedule that we try to adhere to, but there may be variances each day:
6:30 AM Arrivals
6:50 AM Free Play*
7:00 AM School Children Breakfast
7:40 AM School Departure
7:50 AM Potty Break / Wash Hands
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:20 AM Open Centers
8:40 AM Free Play*
9:00 AM Circle Time/Sharing OR Outside Play
9:40 AM Potty Break / Wash Hands
9:50 AM Table Time (Manipulative
10:10 AM Music / Movement
10:30 AM Pick Up Time
10:45 AM Lunch Prep (Wash Hands, Wash & Set Table)
11:00 AM Lunch
11:30 AM Potty Break / Wash Hands / Brush Teeth
11:45 AM Story Time
12:00 PM Nap/Quiet Time
2:15 PM Wake Up / Free Play*
3:00 PM Afternoon Snack
3:30 PM Outside or Free Play*/Movie/TV Time
* Free Play includes, but is not limited to: block play, manipulatives,
housekeeping/dramatic play, reading, music, art/writing, sensory
table, group games, alone time or large motor skill room (climber/cars).
NAPTIME
It is essential for the development of your child to rest everyday. All children under the age of five are required to rest at Little Giggles Daycare. No child is forced to sleep, but they must lie down quietly as to not disturb the other children. Cots and/or mats with sheets and blankets are provided and these linens are laundered weekly or sooner if needed.
Infants will nap according to their own schedule. Children under the age of two will sleep in either a crib or pack-n-play, which are provided by Little Giggles Daycare. Infants 12 months and younger must be placed on their back and will not be allowed a blanket, bottle or sippy cup at this time. If you feel this is the only method for your child to sleep, a waiver must be signed first. See Sleep Waiver Form. Also see Emergencies-Safety Policy for safe sleep practices.
If your child (1+ years old) has a special blanket or toy, they can have it but it will remain put away until naptime. A wake up area and/or quiet activity is provided for those that awake before the other children.
DAILY REPORTS
A report will be sent home everyday for infants, usually up to the age of two. This includes feeding and sleeping times, diaper changes and the overall manner that your child had. It also includes items that your child may need, such as diapers, wipes, clothing, etc.
See Infant Daily Report Form.
OUTSIDE PLAY
Outdoor play time is scheduled daily, weather permitting. All children should be dressed for outside play. This is an important part of the child's curriculum and we encourage full participation. Little Giggles Daycare outside play contains age appropriate playground materials. Lyle and Tina also has a quad stroller used for when the children go on walks around the neighborhood.
CIRCLE TIME
Little Giggles Daycare has a planned weekly preschool curriculum to ensure all developmental areas are incorporated into the daily activities. This curriculum includes math/science, music/movement, art, language arts, fine motor skills, large motor skills and sensory activities. Some of these areas will be covered during circle time, which is scheduled everyday from September through April for each child 2 1/2 years and older. These circle time lessons are based from a monthly themed topic and include a subject discussion, coloring page and an activity. A song or nursery rhyme is also learned each week. In addition, there will be lessons that cover topics like weather, calendar, months and days of the week, letter and number recognition, colors and shapes, ABC's, counting, age, birthday, address, phone number and recognition of first and last names. This preschool based program is provided free of charge.
CIRCLE TIME THEMES - MONTHLY PLANNER