Our Classes  :  Staff/Child Ratios  :  Infants – Baby Bears  :  Toddlers – Elmo Express  :  Younger Preschool – Big Birds  :  Older Preschool – Cookie Monsters  :  Pre-K – Kermits  :  School-Age – Grovers

Younger Preschool – Big Birds

Our younger preschool program provides care and early childhood education for children ages 2 ½ years to 3 ½ years who are toilet-trained. At Play and Learn young preschoolers participate in a hands-on program that keeps the children actively involved while exploring a weekly theme. Preschoolers can choose from a variety of developmentally appropriate learning centers as they begin to make choices and gain independence. Cognitive skills are encouraged through letter, number, and shape recognition. Classroom activities are designed to encourage and build positive social interactions, sharing, and taking turns; problem solving; language development; creativity; and self-esteem. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress with Daily Reports and periodic parent conferences. A daily schedule, weekly lesson plan, and monthly calendar are posted on the Big Birds’ parent board.

Sample Younger Preschool Schedule
A.M.
6:30 – 8:15 Arrival and free play
8:15 – 8:30 Bathroom break and wash hands for breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 Center time
9:45 – 10:00 Clean up and bathroom break
10:00 – 11:00 Large muscle play (indoors or outdoors)
11:00 – 11:20 Circle time
11:20 – 11:45 Art and sensory activities
11:45 – 12:00 Clean up, bathroom break, and wash hands for lunch
P.M.
12:00 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 1:20 Large muscle play and group games
1:20 – 1:30 Bathroom break and prepare for nap
1:30 – 3:15 Nap/quiet time
3:15 – 3:45 Wake up, bathroom break, books and table top activities, and wash hands for snack
3:45 – 4:15 Snack
4:15 – 5:00 Large muscle play (indoors or outdoors)
5:00 – 5:30 Free play
5:30 – 6:00 Free play and departure

Contact E-mail playandlearn@gethsemane.org