Structure and Daily Activities
The preschool classes meet Tuesday through Friday for two and one-half hours. The morning class is in session from 8:45a.m. to 11:15a.m. The afternoon class is in session from 12:45p.m. to 3:15pm. There are six to eight special needs’ children, a teacher, and an assistant in each class. There are six to eight typically developing peers enrolled in each classroom to provide a daily opportunity for children to interact with a preschooler without an identified disability. This brings the total number of children in the classroom to 14-16. Most related services are provided within the classroom setting, therefore, additional adults are frequently in the classroom. Daily classroom activities include individual, small and large group activities. Children participate in free play and daily circle time, which includes calendar work, name recognition/printing, sharing and songs. Small group activities may include play at the water/sand table, workbench, art activities or ‘dress up’ activities. The children also receive a light snack each day. Music and story time are also integral parts of the preschool curriculum.
Description of daily activities is as follows:
ARRIVALS
Bus students and car students arrive at main entrance to the preschool. Arrival time is between 8:40 and 8:45 a.m. and 12:40 and 12:45 p.m. Parents should wait outside or in the foyer (during inclement weather) until met by a staff members
SCHEDULES
Written schedule is posted outside the classroom door. Changes in class location are noted outside the door. Classroom has a main group picture schedule which is reviewed at the beginning circle and at periodic times during the day, as needed. Individual schedules may be used as needed for a child using picture cards for each activity in their day.
TRANSITIONS
Changes in scheduled activities are signaled by a timer. A song or cue may be added to help with transitioning. Students are given verbal/auditory and visual warnings to prepare them for the transitions.
CHILD-CENTERED ACTIVITIES
These may include: Fine motor, sensory, pre-academic, and communication activities. These activities vary depending on the individual activities of the students in the classroom.
CIRCLE TIME
Activities include: Reviewing the daily schedule, calendar, weather. Other activities may include: songs/fingerplays, story, literacy extensions, and pre-academics.
CENTERS
Classroom centers may include: Pre-academics, Art, Sensory, Computer, Dramatic Play, Teach/student Work Time, Therapist/student Work Time, Constructive Play, Writing Center, Listening Center, Literacy Center, Cooperative Games.
SNACK
Snack is provided by parents on a rotating basis.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Dress should be appropriate to the season and should include safe footwear. Goals are centered on social, communication, pre-literacy, community safety and physical development.
DISMISSAL
Bus students leave with teacher/assistant to the school’s main entrance. Students are walked to their buses at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Car students leave with teacher/assistant to the side entrance at the above stated times. Parents need to promptly pick up their child at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.