Daily Activities
Our daily schedule adjusts based on each classroom. You will find your child’s daily classroom schedule posted on the wall immediately inside your child’s classroom.
A basic schedule for the entire center is as follows:
6:00–8:00 AM: Free guided play
8:30 AM: Snack
8:30–11:00 AM: Structured educational time
11:00–11:30 AM: Free play / prep for lunch
11:30 AM–12:00 PM: Lunch
12:00–2:00 PM: Nap (School-Age Summer Camp: indoor/outdoor activities)
2:00–3:00 PM: Snack / Bible lessons
3:00–6:00 PM: Indoor/outdoor activities
Outdoor Activities
We play outside every day that weather permits—when it is at least 25°F and no hotter than 90°F. However, Administrators and Lead Teachers will determine the safety of going outside, considering the heat index level. In cases of high pollen count, we will assess the safety of going outside. Children will not play outside in heavy rain, heavy snow, or weather emergencies and natural disasters as defined in JFS 01114 of our emergency preparedness response plan for childcare centers.
If light rain (without thunder and lightning) is in the forecast, your teacher may ask you to bring rain boots and a raincoat so the children can enjoy water play in the rain. For winter, please provide warm clothes, hats/gloves, and snowsuits for outdoor play.
Our playground includes outdoor spaces and equipment designed for active play and exploration to keep kids learning while getting exercise and fresh air. Riding toys may be used. You’re welcome to provide a helmet for your child to use when playing on outdoor riding toys.
During warmer months, children participate in water activities, including but not limited to outdoor water play on the center’s premises. While participating in water play, we maintain the staff-to-child ratios required by our center’s licensing agencies. Please provide necessary swimming attire for water days.
Nap Time
For healthy growth and development, it’s essential for children of all ages up to kindergarten to have time to rest, sleep, or enjoy quiet activities during the day. At our center, toddlers and preschool children will rest in the afternoons for two hours.
Quiet Activities for Non-Sleepers
All children will be provided ample time to fall asleep. Team members will lovingly cuddle, tap/rub backs, and softly encourage children to go to sleep. Children who choose not to sleep are encouraged to read a book, play with puzzles, or participate in other quiet rest-area activities while lying on the rest mat that we provide. School-age children are not required to nap.
What to Bring
Special objects such as a blanket, soft toy, or stuffed animal are okay to bring for rest time. Please leave other toys and belongings at home, as bringing a treasured object to the center can create tension between children, and stress for children and staff if something is lost or misplaced.
Older children who use blankets will be supervised during rest time to ensure their faces are not covered by the blanket. Depending on your child’s age, we provide cribs or sleep mats for rest time. Your Center Administrator will let you know what you need to provide.
Children attending overnight care will need to bring the following items in a gallon-size ziplock bag, labeled with the child’s first and last name:
Toothbrush with a travel cover
Toothpaste
Clean and comfortable sleeping clothes
Hairbrush or comb
The center will provide a washcloth, space to clean up and change clothes as needed, and assistance with preparing for bedtime as developmentally appropriate. See Extended and Overnight Care for more information on extended and overnight care at our Barnesville Campus.
When to Take Nap Items Home
At the end of each week of attendance, please take all blankets and soft toys home to wash over the weekend before the next week of attendance. Cleanliness is important, and your child’s belongings will have been on the floor and handled by several team members, at times potentially touching other children’s blankets/soft toys as well.
