Nursery and Preschool Classes
Nursery
Our nursery has no cost, and is staffed by parents of children 2 and under and parent volunteers. Parents of nursery aged children will be given a schedule at the beginning of the school year.
The nursery is a small room with toys and a little slide, changing table, and chair. It is designed to provide a place for your child so you can volunteer at co-op or stay with them and play during your down time. It is not a drop off daycare for your child. Please pick your baby up before lunch as no nursery is offered between 11:50 and 12:45pm.
Nursery Guidelines
**It isn't required that you place your baby in the nursery, however, we do ask that families serve in the nursery during the time that they are assigned so that it is available all day to everyone.
**If your baby is younger than 6 weeks old, please plan to keep them with you or speak with the Directors directly about signing up for nursery. Parents whose babies are younger than 6 weeks will not be on the nursery schedule until their baby is at least 6 weeks old.
**There is always a walkie talkie in the nursery, please call the desk if you need help.
**When your baby comes to the nursery please place a name tag to their back or pant leg, their bag, and write your name and phone number on this tag as well.
**If your baby wears diapers you will be asked to come to the nursery to change them. No helper will change a baby that is not their own baby.
**If your baby has an allergy please communicate this with the helper on duty make sure that is listed on your emergency forms.
**Please leave shoes and strollers outside of the nursery. Please do not allow children 3-13 in the nursery unless they are not yet ready for preschool.
**Sickness, car trouble, or a rough morning can mean that someone isn't able to come to co-op that day. If you show up to an empty nursery please let the security coordinator/floor monitor know asap so that we can find a mom to help cover.
**If your child has had a fever in the previous 24 hours or is currently vomiting, has diarrhea, or a croupy/persistent cough please do not bring them to the nursery. Wash hands frequently and use sanitizing wipes throughout the day to help prevent germs spreading.
** If you are scheduled to work in the nursery, please be in the nursery for the entire time you are scheduled. Sometimes families run late, had to go out to the car for a minute, went to check on a sibling.... they may not be there right at the class change (or even 15 minutes later) so don't assume that no one is coming and leave.
Preschool
Preschool Classes –
Our preschool classes are designed for children who will be 3 when their preschool class starts, but are not yet ready for kindergarten. Class sizes and activities will depend upon the number children in this age range and their parent's participation. Children who are 2 1/2 are often permitted to move into Preschool second semester if they can listen carefully, follow directions, share and are not a disturbance to the class. Parents are not permitted to stay in the preschool unless they have made special arrangements with directors and preschool teachers, usually due to medical or other circumstances. See Directors if you have any questions.
Morning Warm Up- Sondra Rathe – 9:00 - 9:55am
Each month, we pick a theme to sing about, read about, and craft about. We have free-play at the beginning of each morning which helps ease the kids into an inviting environment before we gather around to sing a song and read a story. There are crafts afterward if the children want to participate in creating something or they are free to go back to playing if they wish.
Games and Puzzles - Angie Daye– 10:00 - 10:55am
Time to wake up those little minds, work on fine motor movements and practice following directions with some beginner level games and puzzles. We will set up 2-3 different areas each focusing on a different level of development. One area will be a guided game, one area will be a self led designing area with legos, snap blocks, bristle builders or mosaics and a third area with large puzzles. This hour will be designed to engage all ages and levels.
Cost: $10 per semester Supplies: Each Semester we ask that parents donate a snack to share with the class
Letters and Numbers - Angie Daye - 11:00 - 11:55am
Preschool classes are always changing and flowing to the ages and temperament of the kids so we will ready a variety of activities to introduce children to letters and numbers. Class will start with circle time reading books, singing songs or introducing the days concepts followed by an activity to reinforce the concept followed by free play.
Story and Craft –Sondra Rathe - 12:45 pm - 1:40 pm
Join us each week for a fun story and accompanying craft to introduce kids to many different mediums of art. Throughout the year we will color, cut and paste, paint, sculpt, weave and build to bring stories to life.
Little Science Explorers-Sondra Rathe- 1:45 – 2:40pm
In this fun and exciting class we will explore science through hands on experiments. Be ready for fun as we will sometimes be working with color, water, bubbles, dirt, outdoors and more!
Free Play- No Teacher - 2:45pm -3:40pm
This is a time of free play, just be sure to clean up the toys before you leave. If you are signed up for this hour that means YOU are staying in there with your child. Other adults in there are NOT responsible for your child. You may not leave them to play without you present.