When teachers at WPUNS plan the school day for your child they carefully consider the following criteria:
The planning of the nursery school day should:
Arrival Time
Upon arrival children are informally greeted by teacher in the classroom. During this time, each child may play independently, with another child, or with a group of children in self-selected and self-directed activities.
Together Time
This time provides an opportunity for the teacher to introduce a planed unit or a topic of interest to the large group or time to share. This is a good time for discussion of the calender, weather, helper charts, and introduction of the day’s activities.
Activity Time
This is a time for small group or individual activities. The activities provided are a variety of teacher-directed and self-directed activities in the various learning centers.
Clean-Up
During this time, the children work individually or in committees to clean and straighten the various learning centers.
Story Time
The children are brought into a large group for story time. This is a creative time for the teacher or children to relate a story by reading, puppets, dramatization, flannel board, etc.
Snack Time
A snack time is usually provided at some point during the morning and afternoon. Nutritious snacks are prepared and served by the children. This provides many learning experiences which also enhance skill development.
Outside Time
Outside time provides physical skill development through both free play and planned activities.
Music
This another large group activity where children are provided opportunities for:
Review of the Day’s Activities
This time helps children put into sequence the events of the day and leave with a feeling of accomplishment.
Rest Time
During a full-day program, children should be allowed an opportunity to rest or sleep. Children can lie down on cots, mats or towels. This should be a pleasant and happy time for the child in which he can relax.
Field Trips
Field trips provide good opportunities for valuable first-hand experiences and observations. If extensive trips cannot be provided, some easily available trips are:
Parent Involvement
Parents should be an integral part of the nursery school program. Even working parents can participate an be more aware of their child’s school if teachers make the effort to include them in various ways. Following are suggestions for a parent involvement program:
Evaluation
Nursery school teachers should engage in continual evaluation procedures. Diagnostic evaluation techniques should be used more frequently to identify needs and strengths of individual children as well as learning styles. Observations, check lists, inventories, and parent interviews are among the most effective evaluation techniques to use with young children.