Program Overview

Children learn best when they feel secure and fascinated by the opportunities and challenges in their environment, included and empowered among their peers, and loved by a teacher who honors their individuality, temperament and interests.

Greenhouse Preschool is a fusion of research-based early education, nature immersion, Second-Step social-emotional curriculum, and the beautiful aesthetics and materials borrowed from Waldorf and Montessori philosophies. Children are learning how to be confident and independent in the world outside their home, form friendships and a sense of belonging, and transition into the routines and expectations of a school setting. We learn life skills, healthy self-expression and academics through play. See my “curriculum” page for more details about the curriculum I have developed for my unique school, and the philosophies behind it!

My school is kept small – one group of 10 children, ages 3 until they enter school. This consistency and small-scale allows me to tailor my environment, curriculum, and attention to meet and interests the needs of the group and the individuals within it. I believe that being small-scale is critical to maintaining the high quality of service that I provide for children and their families.

Daily Schedule

                8 – 8:45am         Welcome and free choice activities

                9am                    Morning circle time

                9:30am               Transition to outside play (and gardening, seasonally)

                10:30am              Morning snack

                10:50am              Projects and Center time (small-group projects and free choice)

                12-12:45pm         Lunchtime

                1-2:30pm             Rest and quiet activities

                2:30pm                 Afternoon snack

                3 pm                    Dance, games and stories in circle time

                3:30 – 4:30pm       Outdoor play (and gardening, seasonally)

                4:30-5pm              Inside or outside (depending on weather and children’s wishes)

MEALS AT GREENHOUSE PRESCHOOL

The meals and snacks served at Greenhouse preschool meets the USDA guidelines for the child and adult food program (CACFP). I believe in wholesome, healthy, natural foods for children’s developing bodies. My meals and snacks are vegetarian (to allow children of diverse cultures to all partake in the same meal) and have minimal added sugars. Fruits and vegetables, and are organic whenever possible. Dietary substitutions can be made (in accordance with USDA and DCYF guidelines) for an allergy, medical need, or religious or cultural preference (i.e: Halal, Kosher, etc.) 

SAMPLE MENU

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
Morning Snack	Wheat thins and hummus	Wheat thins and hummus	Wheat thins and hummus	Wheat thins and hummus
Lunch (week A)	Spaghetti with cheese, green beans, peaches, milk	Tomato and red pepper soup, grilled cheese, fresh fruit, milk	Split pea soup, string cheese, goldfish crackers, fresh fruit and milk	Macaroni and cheese, broccoli, fresh fruit, milk
Lunch (week B)	Almond butter and jelly sandwiches, cucumbers and pickles, applesauce and milk	Quesadillas, bean dip, corn, fresh fruit and milk	Lentil soup, rice, fresh fruit, string cheese, milk	Macaroni and cheese, broccoli, fresh fruit, milk
Afternoon Snack	Homemade bread or cookies and fruit	Triscuits and applesauce	Bananas, apples and sunbutter	Vanilla yogurt and blueberries

ANNUAL CALENDAR

School hours are 8am-5pm, MONDAY – THURSDAY. Below I have listed the non-school days for the year 2024-2025:

Thur Sept 19th –  Thur Oct 3rd               Summer vacation

Mon Nov 25^st – Thur Nov 28^th               Thanksgiving break

Mon Dec 23rd – Thurs Jan 2^nd               Winter Break

Mon May 12^th – Thur May 23^th              Spring Break

Mon Aug 25th – Thur Sept 4^th                End of 2025 school year