Programs
3's Class/Chickadees
T/Th 9:00-11:00 am
Age 3 by September 1
The day in the life of a Chickadee…
A Chickadee’s day begins upon arrival in the MHCNS parking lot…a hand in hand walk into nursery school with a carpool buddy, walking out of their way to find the stepping stone pathway, or having another helpful parent offer to walk them inside so not to disturb the sleeping baby in the car. Once you’ve made it onto the sidewalk, you’ll pass the fabulously tempting climbing tree, enter through the door, linger with your child as he or she finds your picture on the board, travel down the stairs to be greeted by Mrs. Foley. She will be sitting in her chair, waiting to greet you by name, always with a genuinely happy smile.
Once greeted by Mrs. Foley, it’s time to get to work! You will help your child find their cubby (only in the beginning will they need your help) to store their belongings. After washing hands, its time to check out each of the three rooms, Art, Climbing and Block, (as long as there is a participating grown-up in the room) and learn what fun is ahead for the day! The first 45 minutes of the day is spent playing freely in the three rooms. During free play, each room has a featured activity and a participating parent remains stationed in one room during this time. This allows Mrs. Foley the freedom to move from room to room and focus her attention wherever needed. Mrs. Foley’s curriculum highlights the seasons along with many other themes, while using age appropriate activities that are FUN! While there is a featured theme in each room, there are activities always available for all of the children. For example, in the Art room, easels are always ready for the child who wishes to paint. The instruments are always within reach in the Climbing room for an impromptu parade and the wooden blocks are ready for construction projects in the Block room.
At the end of free play, all of the children help clean up the rooms. The children learn very quickly the clean up is much more fun at school than at home! Once completed, the children move into the climbing room, find a carpet square and a book for a little quiet time. These several minutes can be spent looking at a book quietly on your own or with a friend. Participating parents often find themselves reading a book to several children. Or the children may choose to rest during this time. After a short time, Mrs. Foley will read a story to the children, teach the children a new song, or do both! After a story, the children are asked to put away their carpet squares, wash their hands, and find their seat for snack. The placemats for snack all have names along with pictures so that the children can easily recognize their spot!
Once the snack is finished the remainder of the day is spent outdoors on the amazingly spacious and private playground! Depending on the season and the amount of layers needed before heading outside, this special play time can last anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes. Most days, the children will remain outside until their parent returns to pick them up from nursery school. Parents retrieve their child’s belongings from the cubbies, along with projects and artwork completed during school, and joins them on the playground. Usually for a few extra minutes of swinging, playing in the sandbox, riding bikes or just running down the hill!
And then there’s the climbing tree on your way out…
