The Day
The child to caregiver ratio is frequently 3 to 1 but can move to 5 to 1 depending on the tasks and time of day. The indoor area is large, well lit and safe. Large muscle games are encouraged during the morning. When the weather is very wet or cold, the play will take place in this area. The numbers of children in each area are kept small so the childrens' attention levels can remain focused thereby promoting safety. When weather permits, the children will play in one of the two fenced yards, or occasionally go to a local park. We take safety very seriously and on each outing we take along a cell phone and first aid kit. First aid training is critical (and we are all certified), but in a park setting we also feel it is important to be able to get an ambulance to come immediately to us, hence the extra cell phone. We also dress the children in special reflective safety vests so they are more visible to drivers and bicyclists.
Although we place a great deal of emphasis on 'play' we also have a very stimulating and diverse educational programme. We usually spend approximately one hour a day on these projects at 11 a.m. and/or 3:30 p.m
Lunch preparations begin at 11:30 a.m. and as they mature, the children are brought into the cooking area to help with food preparation. We do a lot of 'from scratch' cooking in the cooler months and the children love to eat the product of their own efforts... and it tastes good too!
A pot of warm, soapy water is kept on the washroom floor to encourage hand washing without having the children trying to reach faucets and risk burning themselves or falling. This also encourages them to wash up after potty visits. They each have their own hand towel. There are no high chairs. The table is very low so the bigger children sit on beanbags and spongy chairs. The babies/toddlers start out in saucers. The vegetables for the children are purchased through the organic farmer whenever reasonable and are always of the highest quality possible. The same applies to the eggs, poultry or fish given the children. We avoid the purchase of ready-made foods as much as possible, serve no red meat, and never serve processed meats (e.g.. wieners). We want to insure that the children have the most nutritious food available and limit the intake of unnecessary chemicals wherever possible. Sweets will appear occasionally in the form of homemade cookies, popsicles in hot weather or cakes for birthday parties.
About 12:30 p.m., the children will begin their washing up and nap/quiet time. They will be read a story (or two...or three) to settle them. They can then rest for a short time (duration depends on maturity). They will have a snack at 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. They then get on their coats, or sun hats and spend an hour or so out in the yard, or in the play room downstairs, or play on their educational projects.