Sample Daily Schedule & Activities

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Arrivals & Morning Transition

• Greetings to help children feel welcomed and secure

• Self-directed play with open-ended materials (puzzles, books, sensory bins, small manipulatives)

• Gentle transition into the day with staff-led music and movement 

• Handwashing

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast

• Children may help prepare and serve healthy foods

• Encouragement of good manners and dining habits during mealtime

• Social conversation and community-building

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Breakfast Transition

• Tidying up breakfast tables

• Bathroom break/diaper changes/wash hands

9:15 AM – 10:00 AM | Outdoor Exploration & Gross Motor Play

• Nature walks, gardening, and outdoor discovery

• Climbing, balancing, jumping, and cooperative games

• Free play with loose parts, building blocks, and imaginative props

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Morning Circle

• Songs, fingerplays, and group storytelling

• Mindfulness practices (breathing techniques, stretching, animal "yoga")

• Calendar and weather awareness

• Introduction of the day’s theme or activities

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | Exploration & Learning Centers

Children choose hands-on activities, including:

• Practical Life Skills (pouring, scooping, buttoning, sweeping, dolls, kitchen play, roleplaying)

• Creative Arts (painting, clay modeling, collage, weaving, fiber arts)

• Language & Literacy (story baskets, phonetic games, journaling, object matching)

• Mathematical Thinking (number puzzles, sorting activities, measuring, patterning)

• Science & Nature Exploration (sensory bins, plant care, simple experiments, weather awareness)

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Lunch Transition

• Tidying up toys & room

• Bathroom break/diaper changes/wash hands

• Preparation for lunch (washing hands, setting up, occasional lunch prep).

11:30AM – 12:15 PM | Lunch

• Family-style dining with a focus on independence and social skills

• Encouraging healthy eating habits and self-care

• Cooperative clean-up, handwashing

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM | Rest Transition

• Breathing exercises, quiet reading, or gentle music to calm bodies and minds

• Calming stories or soft music to prepare for rest time

12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Rest & Quiet Time

• Nap or quiet rest with individual comfort items

• Rain sounds help facilitate sleep

• Quiet activities available for non-nappers (books, puzzles, soft manipulatives)

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Nap Transition

• Putting away cots, blankets, and other nap items

• Bathroom break/diaper changes/wash hands

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM | Afternoon Enrichment & Small Group Activities

Group activities, including:

• Music & Movement (dancing, rhythm instruments, yoga or other exercises)

• Dramatic Play (storytelling, role-playing, puppet theater)

• STEM Exploration (building challenges, water play, simple physics experiments)

• Cultural & Community Awareness (exploring traditions, environmental focus, kindness projects)

3:30PM – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Snack & Social Time

• Light snack and hydration

• Casual dining conversation about the day's experiences

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Outdoor Play & Gross Motor Activities

• Active free play, climbing, ride-on toys, and nature play.

• Group games that encourage cooperation and movement.

4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Prepare for Departure

• Bathroom break/diaper changes/wash hands

• Tidying up toys & room

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Closing Circle

• Reflecting on the day’s activities and experiences

• Singing songs, gratitude practice, or storytelling/books