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The Center for Child and Family Studies

Sample Routine

Daily Preschool Daily Infant/Toddler
8:45-9:00 Arrival
Children arrive, sign in and begin making "plans" for exploration. Student caregivers greet parents and facilitate the planning process		 8:45-9:00 Arrival
Children arrive, parents sign in, and student caregivers and staff help each child transition to being in the classroom. Parents stay until their child feels comfortable, and then initiate their individual "goodbye ritual," supported by their child's ECL caregiver.
9:00-10:00 Work time
Children carry out "plans."		 8:45-9:30 Free exploration time
Children explore the environment and play individually or together, with activities, interactions and shared book reading facilitated by caregivers.
10:00-10:05 Transition
Clean up (pick-up-and-put-away).		 9:30-9:45 Pick-up and put away time
10:05-10:20 Large-group time
Adults and children gather together for community experiences (songs, shared book reading, music and movement, etc.).		 9:30-9:45 Morning circle time (Toddlers only)
Adults and children gather together for songs, circle games, puppet stories and shared book reading.)
10:20-10:25 Transition
Children wash hands and transition to snack.		 9:45-10:00 Snack time
Children eat snack in groups of two or three with their caregiver, in small chairs at low table. Children are helped to do as much self-feeding as they indicate they are ready to do.
10:25-10:40 Snack and recall
Caregivers and their target groups discuss the morning's discoveries.		 10:05-10:45 Diapering and free play
10:40-11:20 Outdoor play 10:45-11:25 Outdoor play
Infant and toddler groups each have their own play yards, with natural areas to explore and equipment appropriate for their developmental levels.
11:20-11:25 Transition
Clean up (pick-up-and-put-away).		 11:25-11:30 Pick-up and put away time
11:25-11:30 Stretching and relaxation
Children participate in relaxation exercises before washing hands and joining small-group time.		 11:30-11:45 Circle time (indoors or outdoors, as weather permits)
Parents who are able join their child's group for this closing time of songs, rhymes and circle games. Caregivers and staff check in with parents about their child's morning.
11:30-11:40 Small-group time
Caregivers and their target groups gather for small-group experiences (songs, shared-reading, games or prepared activities).
11:40-11:45 Departure
Parents arrive for pick-up. Staff and student caregivers check in with parents and share information about the day's events.