Activities

The program staff submits weekly activity plans describing the theme of the week and the activities planned. This is posted in the room so you may keep informed of what is going on. Activities may include projects, stories, walks or field trips and may include some special activities for your child. The following are other parts of the program which are important for you to understand:

• REST TIME: a quiet time is required by NYS regulations and also by the children (especially the younger children) each day. All children at the Center in the afternoon are required to take a few minutes rest or quiet time on a cot (30 minutes) to recharge. They may read a book or listen to some tapes. The children who have finished resting can get up and are offered quiet time activities at the table or weather permitting, may go outside. All children are up, washed and ready for afternoon snack by around 3:15pm. A child cannot be forced to go to sleep, nor can we force the child to stay awake. You are encouraged to send with your child a favorite blanket to rest with at rest time. Children are required to rest with their shoes on in case of emergency. Infants sleep in cribs and are given the time and schedule they need for rest. Cots are not shared and are sanitized frequently and as needed. Older infants may rest on cots with specific parental authorization. Parents will need to complete a nap agreement form.
• OUTDOOR PLAY: Playing outside (weather permitting) is an important part of your child's day. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather conditions and label all items your child brings to wear. Children must wear closed-toed shoes that fit securely on their feet (flip-flops and open-toed sandals are not allowed). On days when the weather prohibits the children from going outside to play, your child will be given ample indoor free play opportunities.
• SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: Some programs, depending on the age group, participate in special activities geared to the age ability and interest levels. Library, music and field trips are some of the special things your child may experience while at the Center. Coach Cyndi from Stretch-N-Grow also joins us to get the children moving and grooving, working on their fine and gross motor skills. 
• SHOW AND TELL: Please limit toys your child brings to the Center to the days established in each program for Show and Tell. Please label each item as we cannot be responsible for the toys and other items your child brings from home.
• FIELD TRIPS: We do not put children in our vehicles and transport them. We use a local taxi or transportation service. Parents may be charged a transportation fee for field trips. We do not transport children under 4 year except through the local UPK program. Some of the programs may go on field trips during the year. Parents are required to pay any admission charges for each child. The Center provides the snack or lunch as the time requires. Permission forms are sent to parents with the information listed. You are asked to send in any special requirements and the signed form. Children already have basic permission on the blue enrollment form to attend field trips, but this helps keep you informed as to what your children are doing in their activities at the Center. Children are required to wear safety belts if available, must load/unload from the curb side, a teacher must accompany the children at all times.
• WALKING TO LOCAL ACTIVITIES: We will walk whenever possible to activities (Library, Red Jacket, community agencies, etc.). During inclement weather (extreme heat or cold) we check on-line with "AccuWeather” and our safety chart. Children will be required to be dressed appropriately and walk with the group. During very hot weather, they will take water with them. rest often, leave from and arrive at a cool space or activity. If transportation can be arranged (bus or taxi) parents will need to help pay for it with a small fee per child. If transportation cannot be arranged, the children will remain at the Center and do activities here. Transportation will be provided for small group activities (4 or less children).
• BIRTHDAYS: If your child celebrates a birthday at the Center, please feel free to send in a treat- please check with your child’s teacher regarding allergies and number of children in the room. Treats must be commercially produced and packaged, we are not accepting homemade treats at this time. 
• TOILETING: Toilet learning is a part of the Toddler-2’s programs. Please keep in contact with the program staff in the toddler program while your child is being toilet trained for positive and consistent methods for this important learning experience. Parents are required to supply the Center with disposable diapers for each of their children who is not toilet trained. For the children in the process of toilet training, parents are to supply an adequate number of training pants/underwear for each child.
• TOILETING ACCIDENTS: Accidents will happen and are never punishable. Please keep multiple sets of extra underwear and clothing at the Center. Please return IMMEDIATELY any underwear and clothing borrowed from the Center. We don’t rinse out soiled underwear but seal it in a bag to go home.