A Peek at Our Day
Have you ever wondered what a day in a play-based preschool is really like? Here is a quick look at our school schedule!
9 am: Arrival. Kids arrive and go to their classrooms. At Wooddale, our classes are small—10 kids or fewer per group. We begin the morning by talking about our theme of the week, the date, our weather, and any changes or special events.
9:25: Free play! All the kids play together in our beautiful space upstairs. Our toys, sensory activities, and large motor activities change weekly to keep things fresh and interesting. During free play, each child has time to work on a special art project for the day.
10:30: Story and clean up. A teacher reads a group story and then assigns children to clean up an “area” of the playroom. Kids and teachers work together to put everything back in place to prepare the room for the next day.
10:45: Bathroom break and handwashing. The kids have access to a bathroom at all times, but this is our scheduled bathroom break of the day. Everyone goes to the bathroom to go potty and wash their hands.
10:55: Snacktime! Kids enjoy a simple snack in their classrooms with their small group. We provide snacks, which include pretzels, cheese, yogurt, fresh fruits and veggies, and crackers.
11:15: Music. We sing songs, read stories, dance, act out stories, play instruments, and learn about new ways to create sounds. Our music time is another excellent way to explore the week’s theme.
11:40: Small group time. We return to our classrooms and have a small group activity. Tuesdays are show-and-tell days, when kids are encouraged to bring something from home to share. On the other days, we read stories, do simple science activities, sing songs, do art projects, and more!
Noon: Dismissal/Lunchtime transition. Some kids go home for lunch, while others eat at school. Those who go home are dismissed to their grown-ups from their classrooms. Kids who stay for lunch go upstairs for a brain break before starting lunch. They listen to stories, relax with music, or do some active play—it depends on the group’s energy at that time!
12:30: Handwashing and lunch. Kids wash their hands and sit down to eat lunch.
1:00: Play and activities. After lunch, we play simple board games, do obstacle courses, have scavenger hunts, play Bingo, and so much more.
1:30: Dismissal. Children get ready to go home. Caregivers pick up their students outside their classrooms and have time to connect with the teachers.
Our play-based preschool program is designed to help kids learn school routines and develop their independence, all while having so much fun! If you are looking for a preschool in St. Louis Park, please reach out to us to schedule a visit or download our application!