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 Breakfast (optional) 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 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
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
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Breakfast |
Cereal, fruit, milk |
Toast with jelly, fruit, milk |
Oatmeal, fruit, milk |
Homemade breads, applesauce, milk |
|
Morning Snack |
Wheat thins and hummus |
Wheat thins and hummus |
Wheat thins and hummus |
Wheat thins and hummus |
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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 |
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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 2022-2023:
Mon Aug 22nd – Monday Sept 5th End of 2022 school year
Mon Nov 21st – Thur Nov 24th Thanksgiving break
Mon Dec 19th – Mon Jan 2nd Winter Break
Mon May 15th – Thur May 25th Spring Break
Mon Aug 21st – Mon Sept 4th End of 2023 school year