A Day in the Life

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SAPLINGS PLAYSCHOOLER

8:00 -- 8:20 The Saplings arrive, put belongings in designated areas and join the group; Children should arrive wearing sunscreen and insect repellent when necessary.

*On mornings where the temperature + windchill falls in the single digits, all Saplings report to classrooms for gear assessments. 

8:30 All Saplings should be transitioned by this time. 

9:00 If it is rainy or snowy, Saplings head into the classrooms, remove gear and hang up wet items, put on indoor shoes and wash hands. Tick checks occur in spring, summer and fall either as they head in for the morning or during snack time. It is likely that Saplings will not transition inside for snack and morning meetings, but will be encouraged to use the bathrooms before gearing up for the morning adventures.

9:15 Saplings sign in, meet in a circle to discuss the calendar, the season, the weather, appropriate clothing, safety, etc. A morning story will happen during a circle or during a snack. (This may be inside or outside.) 

9:30 A busy morning leads to hungry Saplings! Snacks will be provided and will consist of healthy, seasonal foods including fruits and vegetables. Our snacks are provided by Brave Soul Holistic. Weather permitting [most days], Saplings will crunch and munch on the outside, but on frigid days, Saplings will retreat into the building to warm up, too.

(Morning meetings and snacks may be reversed for days with lots of hungry, hungry Saplings!)

9:45 Saplings may participate in a daily scavenger hunt or observations; collecting, foraging and sensory exploration i.e., a search for seeds, gathering leaves, dandelions, acorns, an exploration of textures and smells or other outdoor adventure. Team building games, inquiry-based hands-on activities and following the children in whatever season also consumes each morning. During the warmer months, we will spend nearly all day in nature. Literacy development, mathematics and science experiments will happen in nature. During the colder months, more transitions occur. Inside time provides the opportunity to use more traditional materials and do more "classroom-like" learning. Of course, nature will be brought inside, too. Naturally, we just can't help it!

11:30 Pick up for half-day Saplings [Saplings and gear will meet parents at the trail kiosk.]

12:00 Lunch on the trails [most days] or in classrooms [frigid days], cleaning up as a group if not picnic style. Tick checks in spring, summer and fall. Lunches are provided by Brave Soul Holistic and will be incorporated into invoicing. Devyn caters to all allergies from eggs to corn to gluten!

12:30 Digest and play some more!

1:00 Saplings, with full bellies and potentially heavy eyelids, will curl up and listen to a story to prepare for rest and naps. Non-nappers will be provided with books, quiet activities, mazes, tangrams, puzzles, soft blocks, geoboards, and sewing cards if they do not fall asleep after 30 minutes of rest. Weather permitting, rest and quiet frequently occurs in the hammocks.

1:30 - 2:45 Afternoon arts, crafts, free play and adventures (some nappers may still be sleeping). 

2:45 Tick checks in spring, summer, fall. Collecting and packing up gear for home. Children help clean up the playscape before parents begin to arrive. 

3:00 -- 3:30* Saplings go home. After five minutes late, the family will be charged for the hour.

*Aftercare from 3:30 - 4:30 pm is  available upon request as space is limited. Each minute after 4:30 pm is $1/minute.