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Beehive provides opportunities and materials for children to explore, experiment, build, manipulate, and create. Learning centers are set up in the two classrooms so that these materials are accessible, attractive, and organized. The daily schedule is planned so that there is sufficient time for each child to engage in the activities that he/she chooses.
Two art projects per week are provided. One is planned by parents, the other by the staff.
One parent is stationed in the art area. A maximum of four children are allowed to work at the art table at one time. The art parent writes the children’s names on all their work, (unless a child wishes to write it himself/herself), and assists the children with the materials for the project. The parent’s function is to encourage children to complete the projects on their own and to extend their appreciation of the process, color, etc. by asking questions or commenting about specific aspects of their projects. Projects with wet paint or glue are placed on the bulletin board or the shelves behind the art table. All (dry) art work is placed in the children’s cubbies at the end of the day so that they may keep their projects.
There are spaces for three children to paint at the easel. The parent assigned to the art table makes sure that the easel is stocked with paper, filled paint containers, and paintbrushes. The art parent puts the child’s name on each painting and places it on the drying shelves.
Nylon aprons and men’s shirts with the sleeves cut off are available for the children to use as smocks. Children are encouraged to wear smocks, but should wear "play clothes" that can be washed if paint or dirt gets on them.
Playdough, which is provided by the parents responsible for each week’s theme set-up, and cookie cutters, rolling pins, etc. are available to the children every day. This is a self-directed area.
Either a cooking project or Tea Party takes place in the kitchen area each day.
Children must wash their hands and use hand sanitizer before starting any cooking project or Tea Party and must wash all dishes and their hands when they finish eating.
The number of children at the cooking table is limited to four for a cooking project and two for a Tea Party. The parent assigned to the cooking table assists the children when necessary. If several children come to the Kitchen area at the same time, the cooking parent may start a "waiting list" so that the children are assured of getting a turn and can play in another center while waiting.
The Block area is a self-directed area where children can learn and appreciate basic mathematical and scientific concepts, balance, and form through the construction of block structures. Parents working in the Art/Blue Room can kindle enthusiasm through his/her interest and encouragement.
It may be necessary to remind children to handle blocks carefully because they are heavy. When cleaning up, children should be guided to place the blocks of the same size and shape where it is labeled on the shelves.
Games, manipulatives, and puzzles are rotated throughout the year to give the children the opportunity to develop a variety of skills through playing with these materials.
Before a child takes a game off the shelf or moves to another area, he/she is instructed to put the game, etc. he/she was playing with previously on the shelf where he/she found it.
Various materials and experiments are displayed and are available to handle and investigate.
An activity which involves manipulating counters, tongs, etc. to develop counting skills or fine motor control is available each week.
Paper, markers, glue, scissors, as well as other miscellaneous supplies are available to the children so that they can draw, "write," cut and glue their own creations.
This center is equipped with play kitchen furniture, play food, dress up clothes, and dolls to spur creative dramatization. The area is often transformed with props for the various themes to add to the children’s depth of experience.
Each room is equipped with a bookshelf. Books are rotated so that they correlate with the current theme.
The playground has permanent structures as well as toys that are put out daily for the children. Careful supervision is necessary to insure the children’s safety.
DAILY SCHEDULES
Arrival | Work/Play Periods | Circle Time | Snack Time | Good-bye Time | Dismissal
AM Class
Parents walk their children to the door where the children put their name cards in the basket and parents sign in at the table outside the door. Parents and children come inside and greet the teachers at 8:30. Parents help their children begin an activity before they leave if the child needs some encouragement or direction.
PM Class
Parents walk their children to the table outside the door where the parent or child makes a nametag with masking tape. Parents supervise their children on the playground until the children enter the classrooms when the bell rings.
Children play and work in the various centers set up in Beehive’s two classrooms. During this time, children are allowed to move from center to center and room to room. The children in the AM Class also may play on the playground during these periods. (The PM Class has a scheduled outdoor play time.) This unstructured time allows for children to explore and experiment, to become engaged in something that interests them, and to interact with other children.
The class is divided into two groups and assigned either to the Red Room or the Blue Room. At Circle Time, the children sit on the rug in their assigned room for a group time led by the teacher. The teacher will teach songs and fingerplays, read stories, and discuss basic concepts about the current theme. This period exposes children to working within a group, taking turns, and listening and responding appropriately.
A snack is offered to the children each day. They sit at the tables in their assigned rooms. The snack is provided by one of the working parents for that day. In addition to providing a nutritious snack and a break in the day, this time also provides an opportunity for children to practice table manners and social skills.
Before they are dismissed, all the children gather in the Red Room on the rug. During this last period of the day, the teachers lead the children in songs and read a book. As they are dismissed, the children file out of the room and sit at the picnic tables.
Children will be seated at the picnic tables, where they will wait until it is their turn to be escorted by a teacher to the parents waiting in cars or on the sidewalk behind the fence. Parents are asked to wait in their cars, if driving, so that dismissal moves quickly and smoothly.