Preschool
Daily Schedule
8:30am-Drop off Outside
9:15am-Inside/Coats off
9:25am-Circle Time
9:45am-wash hands for snack
9:50am-Snack
10:10am-Center Time
11:05am-Music Time
11:25am-Art Time
11:45am-wash hands for lunch
11:50pm-Lunch
12:15pm-clean up and meet parents outside
12:30pm-Pick UP
9:15am-Inside/Coats off
9:25am-Circle Time
9:45am-wash hands for snack
9:50am-Snack
10:10am-Center Time
11:05am-Music Time
11:25am-Art Time
11:45am-wash hands for lunch
11:50pm-Lunch
12:15pm-clean up and meet parents outside
12:30pm-Pick UP
Outside Time
Free Time to explore the: playhouse, sandbox, water table, swings, slide, jungle gym, and zip line. Time for running, chasing, climbing on stumps, playing with balls, and the daily excitement that nature provides (leaves, dirt, snow, ice, flowers). We go outside throughout the winter, with a cut off of staying inside if it is below 16 degrees with the windchill. Please praise your child for getting dirty (i.e. "You look like you had fun today!") so they do not limit their play by being stressed about their clothes.
Circle Time
Creating the feeling that the kids are part of a warm community is central in their experience at Discovery Cottage. Circle Time is one of the main ways that we gather, look at each other, listen to each other, and learn as a group. Each day we do about 3 different activities in our 20-25 mins. time period. Some of these are: show & tell, fingerplay songs, reading and group discussion about how it relates to kids lives (kids practice retelling, naming letters in titles, acting out books), rhyming games, introducing new games, creating group stories, and so much more.
Snack
Each day a fruit, vegetable, grain and milk is served. Almond milk is an option.
Potty Time
Children who still need reminders are asked to go potty after snack.
Center Time
For Preschool children this is their indoor free choice time.
Scroll down right after the description of "Lunch" on this page, for a full detailed list of options during Center Time.
Music Time
This is a Active High-Energy Time with a focus on Gross Motor skills & fun.
Lots of running, dancing & exercise using various instruments and
props (scarves etc.) Andrew plays piano and guitar with the children.
Musical Games
Group Drumming, Instrument experimentation, imaginative play,
Non-Competitive Sports-Basketball, and Following Directions in Group Games.
Art Time
A process-oriented approach to art. We paint, draw, stamp, do collage, use playdough etc. A strong emphasis is on the child's enjoyment, experimentation, creative expression, and learning how to use basic art supplies (i.e. glue bottle, glue sticks, scissors).
Lunch
Parents provide a packed lunch for their child. Teachers read stories to kids at lunch.
Free Time to explore the: playhouse, sandbox, water table, swings, slide, jungle gym, and zip line. Time for running, chasing, climbing on stumps, playing with balls, and the daily excitement that nature provides (leaves, dirt, snow, ice, flowers). We go outside throughout the winter, with a cut off of staying inside if it is below 16 degrees with the windchill. Please praise your child for getting dirty (i.e. "You look like you had fun today!") so they do not limit their play by being stressed about their clothes.
Circle Time
Creating the feeling that the kids are part of a warm community is central in their experience at Discovery Cottage. Circle Time is one of the main ways that we gather, look at each other, listen to each other, and learn as a group. Each day we do about 3 different activities in our 20-25 mins. time period. Some of these are: show & tell, fingerplay songs, reading and group discussion about how it relates to kids lives (kids practice retelling, naming letters in titles, acting out books), rhyming games, introducing new games, creating group stories, and so much more.
Snack
Each day a fruit, vegetable, grain and milk is served. Almond milk is an option.
Potty Time
Children who still need reminders are asked to go potty after snack.
Center Time
For Preschool children this is their indoor free choice time.
Scroll down right after the description of "Lunch" on this page, for a full detailed list of options during Center Time.
Music Time
This is a Active High-Energy Time with a focus on Gross Motor skills & fun.
Lots of running, dancing & exercise using various instruments and
props (scarves etc.) Andrew plays piano and guitar with the children.
Musical Games
Group Drumming, Instrument experimentation, imaginative play,
Non-Competitive Sports-Basketball, and Following Directions in Group Games.
Art Time
A process-oriented approach to art. We paint, draw, stamp, do collage, use playdough etc. A strong emphasis is on the child's enjoyment, experimentation, creative expression, and learning how to use basic art supplies (i.e. glue bottle, glue sticks, scissors).
Lunch
Parents provide a packed lunch for their child. Teachers read stories to kids at lunch.
Center Time Choices
Center Time is the free choice time that Preschoolers have during indoor free play.
Each day some new activity tables or areas will be set up and some old ones will remain for further exploration. Children are free to go to whichever centers are most interesting to them and come and go as they please.
Sensory Table
Here the children enjoy the sense of touch. One big tub or individual plastic tubs are used to fill with water, dry rice, flour, noodles, ice, snow, shells, rocks, or beans. Children use cups, spoons, eyedroppers, sifters etc. to explore the materials and there is usually a lot of social chatter to go along with their play time.
Dramatic Play
Children love to imitate adult life and create their own new adventures. They gain skills in designating roles and negotiating who will play each character. We have boxes of costumes and hats which they love to put on and take off, again and again. We also have pop up cars, trains, houses and teepees for added fun.
Light Table
Children can look at real x-rays of animals and humans. they often use this for their doctor office games. Other objects like crystals, building materials, and translucent ABCs are used on the light table surface.
Nature Table
Science inquiries can be explored examining rocks, feathers, crystals, shells with magnifying glasses and book identification. These natural objects are also used as part of their dramatic play games.
Board Games-At first with a teacher and then independently, this is a time to practice taking turns, winning/loosing, sitting still in a group and concentration.
Gross Motor Play
Other large muscle activity choices are: hoola hoops, sit and spin, rocking boat, tunnels and slide.
Table Games
(different things are put out each day)
Mandala creations, Balancing Scales, Magnet Area, Pom Pom games, Peg Boards, Matching Games, Beading, Lacing Cards Etc.
Writing Table
Children have individual Journals that they work on all year. This is a time for them to experiment with the emerging process of writing (scribbling, single letters, learning from friends, getting it wrong and then right). There is also an "Office" set up for kids to pretend to be at work and there are lots of writing opportunities on the desks there.
Blocks & Trucks & Animals
Skills include: building, architecture, balancing, geometry, and counting. It is also a great time for socialization and problem solving.
Kitchen & Babies
A time here for endless cooking, shopping, and restaurant orders. Time for nurturing, dressing, and feeding baby dolls.
Trains, Dollhouses, Little People Worlds and more
Center Time is the free choice time that Preschoolers have during indoor free play.
Each day some new activity tables or areas will be set up and some old ones will remain for further exploration. Children are free to go to whichever centers are most interesting to them and come and go as they please.
Sensory Table
Here the children enjoy the sense of touch. One big tub or individual plastic tubs are used to fill with water, dry rice, flour, noodles, ice, snow, shells, rocks, or beans. Children use cups, spoons, eyedroppers, sifters etc. to explore the materials and there is usually a lot of social chatter to go along with their play time.
Dramatic Play
Children love to imitate adult life and create their own new adventures. They gain skills in designating roles and negotiating who will play each character. We have boxes of costumes and hats which they love to put on and take off, again and again. We also have pop up cars, trains, houses and teepees for added fun.
Light Table
Children can look at real x-rays of animals and humans. they often use this for their doctor office games. Other objects like crystals, building materials, and translucent ABCs are used on the light table surface.
Nature Table
Science inquiries can be explored examining rocks, feathers, crystals, shells with magnifying glasses and book identification. These natural objects are also used as part of their dramatic play games.
Board Games-At first with a teacher and then independently, this is a time to practice taking turns, winning/loosing, sitting still in a group and concentration.
Gross Motor Play
Other large muscle activity choices are: hoola hoops, sit and spin, rocking boat, tunnels and slide.
Table Games
(different things are put out each day)
Mandala creations, Balancing Scales, Magnet Area, Pom Pom games, Peg Boards, Matching Games, Beading, Lacing Cards Etc.
Writing Table
Children have individual Journals that they work on all year. This is a time for them to experiment with the emerging process of writing (scribbling, single letters, learning from friends, getting it wrong and then right). There is also an "Office" set up for kids to pretend to be at work and there are lots of writing opportunities on the desks there.
Blocks & Trucks & Animals
Skills include: building, architecture, balancing, geometry, and counting. It is also a great time for socialization and problem solving.
Kitchen & Babies
A time here for endless cooking, shopping, and restaurant orders. Time for nurturing, dressing, and feeding baby dolls.
Trains, Dollhouses, Little People Worlds and more
Discovery Cottage Preschool & K-6th Grade Summer Camps
635 S. Governor St. Iowa City IA 52240
discoverycottagepreschool@gmail.com
319-359-9101-Andrew (Preschool related calls.)
319-541-7332-Adina (Summer Camp related calls.)
"A joyful place for the whole child to learn and grow."
Established 2006
Copyright © 2015 Discovery Cottage Preschool. All Rights Reserved.
635 S. Governor St. Iowa City IA 52240
discoverycottagepreschool@gmail.com
319-359-9101-Andrew (Preschool related calls.)
319-541-7332-Adina (Summer Camp related calls.)
"A joyful place for the whole child to learn and grow."
Established 2006
Copyright © 2015 Discovery Cottage Preschool. All Rights Reserved.