Greeting Time
The morning separation is very different for each family, as they have developed their own rituals for saying goodbye. Since few children arrive before 8:45 a.m., those who signed up for before care are greeted in a common area in a mixed age group. Those who arrive after 9:00 a.m. are greeted in their own classroom.
Arrivals take place between 8:00 – 8:15 for before care and 8:45-9:00 a.m. in regular classrooms.
Morning
As children arrive, they can make activity choices in the classroom. They are encouraged to explore and collaborate with one another and the educators. When weather permits time is spent in our outdoor play space. Children are also invited to complete work started previously.
Snack Time
Snacks are served in our classrooms (outdoor during Covid) and children eat together at tables with the teachers. Morning Snack is served between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. and Afternoon Snack is served between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. Teachers often take this time to read stories or share information with the children.
Meeting Time/Small Group Work
The entire class gathers together to sit in a circle, a ritual that signals the transition from early morning
explorations to small group work time. The children and educators sing together, share news, discuss classroom happenings, and count the number of people present. Children work in small groups within the classroom. On a typical day there are several small groups, each one working closely with an educator and usually focusing on an exploration of materials and /or spaces in the school or project work around a particular topic or goal.
Outdoor Exploration
Children are encouraged to engage with their peers and engage in gross motor activities. The teachers plan soccer games, follow the leader activities, and encourage the children to go on "expeditions." The children explore the outdoors and engage with water, sand and paint. The children tend to our gardens and get in touch with nature.
Lunch Time
Each teacher sits at a lunch table with a small group of six or seven children. Children are served nutritious lunches provided by Gan Noe. As the year progresses, children take increasing responsibly for helping to set the tables and serve themselves food. (12:00—12:30 p.m.)
Transition to Quiet Time/Story Time
While each child has a turn to use the toilet and wash hands, the others gather with an educator for story time or relaxing music and movement activities. (12:45—1:15p.m.)
Quiet Time
Younger children take a nap while soft music is played and children lay quietly on their mats, typically with a special soft toy and / or blanket from home. Teachers circulate to pat backs and help children to relax. (1:15—3:15 p.m.)
For older children, rest mats are provided and quite rest time is observed for 40 minutes.
Departure
Children are picked up at different pick up windows during the afternoon, depending on the child’s contracted schedule. 12:30-12:45, 3:30-3:45 and 4:45-5:00 are the regular times for pickups. Parents are encouraged to arrive during the pick up window allowing themselves enough time to speak with educators and read any parent board information, as well as help the children to have a smooth transition from Gan Noe preschool to home.
The Center closes promptly at 5:00 p.m.
During Covid we have not been offering early drop off (8am) or late pick up (5pm) we are hoping to reinstate this asap. Please let us know if this is something you are interested in.