Life at Preschool

Daily Routines

For young children rhythm and repetition of routine is very important. Our daily and weekly rhythms allow the children to predict where the day or week will lead, helping create a sense of security and certainty that is essential when creating a safe and nurturing environment.

Our daily rhythm is marked by inside and outside times.

Beginning the Day
The day begins inside when on arrival the children put their bags in their lockers and place their fruit into the fruit basket.
Children are then free to involve themselves in:
  • the craft and sensory activities prepared at the tables and easels,
  • tackle a puzzle or
  • engage in creative play such as dressing up, making cubbies, building with found objects and story making in spaces around the room.
Circle Time
The children then gather together for circle times, where we enjoy:
  • group discussion,
  • 'Show and Share'
  • story times, songs and rhymes.
This is also a time when the class teacher can introduce new ideas or skills to the children in short teaching sessions.

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Snack Time
There is a conscious pause in the session's activities when we come together for the sharing of morning or afternoon tea.
Here the children:
  • Set the table with plates, cups and name tags.
  • Pick flowers from the garden each day and place them around the table candle.
  • Share fruit brought that day, followed by a healthy snack provided by the Preschool.

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Outside Time
After we have all helped clear away the dishes, the children venture outside for play.
This time of the day is for:
  • fun,
  • messy play in paint, water, sand and mud;
  • big, fast games;
  • riding bikes and scooters,
  • running, kicking balls, climbing, jumping and balancing.
This is also a time for:
  • pottering in the garden, weeding, planting and watering seedlings,
  • digging for worms or finding nooks and crannies in which to hide or build cubbies.

Goodbye Time
At the end of the session everyone helps to pack away equipment before singing our goodbye song.
The children are then collected for home or child care.

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