Our daily rhythm
The kindergarten environment is more like a home rather than a classroom. A warm, secure and calm atmosphere is created where, surrounded by beauty, the young child’s imagination and creativity can unfold within their play and work.
The children are not introduced to an academic program, but are simply allowed to be children. A great deal of what they need to learn at this age can be achieved through their own rich and rewarding world of self-directed play.
The teachers maintain an unobtrusive, but loving and watchful presence. Our curriculum is based on our experience and understanding of child development and reflects the seasonal changes. Similarly, rhythm and routine give the child security and a sense of well-being.
Morning outdoors
Our morning starts with either with free play in the garden or with a short walk and play in the nearby Ham Lands where children may run, hide, swing, climb trees, explore, observe nature, build dens.
Circle time
Following our morning snack time (chopped vegetables and chamomile tea) we have our circle time where we sing, recite verses and poems and do ring dances and finger plays.
Lunch
Following our circle time we all sit around the table for lunch, starting with a short blessing on our meal. Lunch time is a very social time when children share their stories and adventures. Our meals consist of wholesome food cooked in kindergarten.
Afternoon activities
Following lunch, children have a period of free play where they create their own games. During that time, the children are also free to join the teachers in a range of wholesome domestic activities, crafts and artistic pursuits. They may be involved in baking, weaving, sewing, painting, drawing, clay or wood work, gardening, sweeping and mopping, washing dolls clothes and hanging them out to dry. Children who are on a half day are collected at 1.30pm.
Tidying up
At the end of our play and activity time, teachers start tidying the domestic/artistic activity and the garden while children tidy up their games, putting everything back to its own place, ready for the next day. Some children might help set up the afternoon snack table.
Story time
At the end of the kindergarten day we all come together for story time when the teacher will tell a story related to the seasons or the festivals. On occasions this can take the form of a puppet show performed by either the teachers or the children.
