About Our Preschool Program
Preschoolers (young 3's to young 4's) take full advantage of the variety of material available to them. In this stage of a child's life, the world is filled with wonder, and there are many questions to be asked and answered. Teachers challenge the children with continually changing themes and materials within the classroom. Many of the ideas come from the children themselves. The classroom offers activity areas, which include blocks, manipulative. Water and sand, dramatic play, a quiet book corner and art. Large motor development skills will be challenged on the playground outdoors, or at the gym session. Children this age can now play cooperative and begin to problem solve on their own. Their attention span is to point where they can work on more involved projects, and play simple games.
A typical day for preschoolers includes the following activities:
Free Play, with teacher's guidance, helps a child learn to make independent choices and thereby gain self-confidence. Each child learns to use materials appropriately within a structured setting.
Art and Crafts - daily activities encourage the expression of each child's natural creativity, and involve such materials as paint, glue, crayons, play dough, and collage.
Music and Story Reading periods provide and environment rich in language. Songs and stories are chosen which reinforce the theme of the week.
Special activities include sessions with our music specialist, in which children are encouraged to sing, dance and play musical instruments as well as computer time in our preschool room. We also offer an optional swim program in the summer.
Outdoor Play is offered daily, allowing the children to run about, swing, climb, and play
Meals - Orchard Hill Learning provides two healthy snacks each day. Children bring their lunch from home.
Rest Time - Each child is assigned a sleep mat to rest on within their classroom. Parents are asked to bring a crib sized sheet and a light blanket to keep at school.
About our Toddler Program
Young Toddlers (15 months to 2 years) - The most important thing for a young toddler is to feel safe and secure in their environment. Although the classroom is filled with many toys, a teacher who can offer nurturance is the most valued aspect of their world. Because the young toddler is very energetic at this age, activities are geared less around group time. More time will be allotted for free play and individual attention.
Older Toddlers (2 to 3 years) - As Toddlers become two the world is theirs. Children begin to socialize more, and enjoy being part of a group. Teachers recognize that a two year old wants to try everything themselves. With this age group, the children are able to work on many new skills. These include dressing and undressing, improving on eating, potty training (when the individual child is ready), and all aspects of self-care. Children are able to handle the routine of the classroom, and begin to make choices for themselves. This is a time of exploration.
A typical day in the life of our toddlers is a busy one. Mornings are filled with the following activities:
Free Play, with teacher's guidance, helps a child learn to make independent choices and thereby gain self-confidence. Each child learns to use materials appropriately within a structured setting.
Art and Crafts daily activities encourage the expression of each child's natural creativity, and involve such materials as paint, glue, crayons, play dough, and collage.
Music and Story Reading periods provide and environment rich in language. Songs and stories are chosen which reinforce the theme of the week.
Outdoor Play is offered daily, allowing the children to run about, swing, climb, and play.
Music is offered with our music specialist. Children are encouraged to sing, dance, and explore rhythm through the use of instruments.
Meals - Orchard Hill Learning provides two healthy snacks each day. Children bring their lunch from home.
Rest Time - Each child is assigned a sleep mat to rest on within their classroom. Parents are asked to bring a crib sized sheet and a light blanket to keep at school.
About Our Infant Program
Infants (ages 6 weeks to 15 months) - Our infant program is designed to provide a safe, stimulating, nurturing, and caring environment for each individual child. We recognize that each child develops and matures at their own pace, and we are dedicated to making sure every child's needs are met. Our commitment to each family is to maintain your child's daily routine just as you would at home. Activities and projects are planned to encourage development and stimulate the child's natural curiosity.
