Our rhythm
The daily schedule at The Strawberry Patch Preschool was created with our children’s needs in mind: new engaging activities on a daily/weekly basis to stimulate the mind and body, provided within our structured daily routine so the kids always know what is expected of them during their time at school.
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We are open
Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm
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children arrive
8:00am-9:00am
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Our doors are unlocked and families arrive! The first hour of our day together is outdoor play time. At 9am we head inside for a short period of "table time". During table time children choose an activity from our shelves, or an art activity, to bring to their table. Once the kids are settled Miss Jeanine prepares snack. *When the weather is really cold we offer the option to play indoors after a shorter time outside.
Loving Kindness
Before we enjoy snack, we gather together on our cushions for a daily practice of love and kindness. We begin by calming our body and breathing together. Sometimes we enjoy some quiet music, soft blindfolds, or stretching. Then, we make the wish to be happy, healthy, and to live in peace. With time, we continue on to make this wish for our family, then our friends, then to all living beings. We start the school year with daily conversations about what it means to be happy, healthy, and peaceful so that this practice may help us find love and compassion for ourselves, and for others.
snack time
9:30am
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The school provides healthy plant-based snacks each morning! Often we have smoothies and homemade sourdough bread (we love to toast it and offer a variety of topping options). Most of our snack ingredients are purchased from our local waste-free grocery store The Realm Refillery.
circle & project
10am
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After a morning of choice time children are excited for our daily gathering around the circle! Circle time includes our weekly letter study, calendar, songs/dances, and a story!
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Project time is always different, and typically goes along with our weekly/monthly theme.
choice time
11:15 (ish)
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Children are allowed to finish up project at their own pace, and then head out into the school for choice time. Children can explore the many options on our shelves that relate to our weekly theme, enjoy art activities, play in our play room, read stories, or relax in our cozy corners.
Lunch
12:30 (ish)
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A healthy plant-based lunch is provided daily. Menus are posted and shared with families. If desired, a lunch may be sent from home to accommodate individual preference. During lunch we listen to a Sparkle Story (a beautiful Waldorf story program) and discuss the lesson in the story together.
Afternoon Art & Play
1pm (ish)
After finishing lunch kids enjoy more gross motor play in the backyard! On cold days they may choose to enjoy an indoor art opportunity. At 1:45 we will gather to share gratitude for our day together. This will ease us into our transition home.