A Typical Day
Daily Schedule and Routine
***** Please note: This schedule is the basic order of the day and is generally consistent, though the times are flexible… So if we’re having a really good time working on a project then play time may last longer. Alternatively, if we’re really having a hard time sitting and listening at a group session, we’ll end early, do something more active, and come back later to finish. *****
8.45 am – On arrival your Teacher will be there to greet you and your child. We encourage the children to locate their locker and store their belongings, place their lunch box in the fridge, and put their shoes on the shoe rack. We offer the opportunity to spend some time settling into the Kindy day by playing inside with you, doing a puzzle together, sharing a book, greeting friends and teachers.
9.00 am – Once the majority of the children have arrived, we will begin the morning group session. This is generally a good time to give your child a kiss and hug goodbye, assuring your child they will have a fun day and that you will be back to pick them up this afternoon. (Uncertainty on your part at this stage can cause confusion for your child.)
Through our group session we will greet each other and share stories from home, acknowledge the Jinabara People who's land our Kindy is on, review our planning ideas from the previous day, and draw on the planning chart the extra activities available at Kindy for that day.
9.9.15 am – Indoor/Outdoor play/centres. Different centres are set up at the tables and around the room and outdoor environment, e.g. creative art projects, some evoking manipulative skills. Some of the regular centres are the dramatic ‘home corner’ area, book corner, blocks, sensory/water play, easel painting. Children flow from centre to centre as their interests dictate.
Flexible Morning Tea – children are able to eat their morning tea from 9 am until 10.30 am as their hunger dictates. This flexible morning tea allows for children to work on play projects through the morning and break from their ‘work’ when they are ready.
11.45 am – Pack-up jobs. The children gather together and work as a team to tidy away their Kindergarten environment, preserving unfinished projects, and preparing the room for the next day’s play.
12.00 – Music session. We all enjoy this important time together as a group. Music is one of the most important areas of development for young children. It contributes not only to listening skills, development of concentration, but also the pleasure of self expression.
12.20 pm – Story time. This also is our reflection and planning time where we discuss what we did today, what we would like to do tomorrow, and what will we need to prepare for this to happen. This planning is recorded on a chart in the Story room and is referred to the following morning in our group session to prepare for the day’s play.
12.40 pm – after washing hands we have our Lunch together
1 pm - Rest time. The children are encouraged to quietly rest their bodies on their bed listening to some beautiful music in a quiet room. We begin rest time by reading a chapter book to the children. We then play some beautiful music allowing time for those who need to sleep to fall asleep. 'Quiet Bags', with puppets, books, manipulative toys, are handed out to those who are not asleep.
2 pm – Packing up sheets and beds.
2.15 pm - Group session
2.45 pm – Home time It is not easy for a 3, 4, or even 5 year old to tell you all that has happened in their busy day. To help you to be informed there will be a photo slideshow running on the laptop on the kitchen. These photos highlight the day's activities. Be taking the time to view this you will be able to start up the conversation about the day by triggering their memory. We endeavour to email a weekly summary of our learning home at the end of each Kindy week. if you have any individual questions or concerns, please feel free to make a time to see your child's teacher.
