Highland Hall School

The nursery program is a stepping-stone between the parent-child program and kindergarten. Many of the children have outgrown the parent-child program and are ready for more social interaction with other children and for separation from their parents.

We typically have between 10 and 15 children per day ranging in age from 2 1/2 years old to 4 1/2 years old with one teacher and one assistant. The day begins between at 8:00 am and some children stay for a half-day until 12:15 pm, others stay a full day until 3:30 pm.

Much of the teacher’s work in the nursery is to help the children gain independence and make the transition from parallel play to integrated, collabortive play with their classmates.

The curriculum of the nursery and kindergarden derive from the recognition that the young child, until around the age of seven, relates to the world primarily through his/her senses and body. Primary modes of learning, therefore, are through sensing (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching-indeed, lots of touching!) and doing.

The activities in the nursery and kindergarden respect and support this sensory-motor mode of the young child.The nursery and kindergarten classrooms are filled with simple toys of wood, wool, and cloth, cozy corners for creative play, and blankets and pillows for snuggling. The teachers are actively engaged in household work, such as baking, cooking, ironing and cleaning.

A typical day in our nursery and kindergarten classes begins with the children helping to prepare food—porridge, vegetable soup, popcorn or such—followed by about an hour and a half of morning free play. Then all the toys are put away, each in its proper home, and all gather for a circle time (described more fully below.).

Following circle, they eat the healthy snack, that they helped prepare earlier in the morning. The children play outdoors for about an hour, then come inside for a story time, when the teacher tells (never reads) stories rich with imagery and action. Following story is lunch. Half-day children are picked up after lunch, while full-day children transition into naptime.

During naptime, lullabies are sung and stories are quietly read told to the children until they go to sleep. A nap teacher cares for the children during nap and supervises in the play yard afterward. When the children wake up, they may play outside in the yard until their parents come to pick them up (usually between 2:30 and 3:15pm). The children may also color or have quiet playtime in a designated classroom.

This schedule is the rhythm of the day, and it may vary from class to class. By consciously balancing inward and outward activities, a healthy discipline and a sense of trust and security in the environment are establishEducation The teachers also work consciously with a rhythmical school year, bringing the elements of fall, winter and spring to the children, as well as festivals, i.e. Michaelmas, Stone Soup Day (Thanksgiving), Advent, Hanukah, etc.

Child Ages:

2.5 years - 5 years

Licenses & Accreditations:

California Department of Social Services: Community Care Licensing Division - WASC Accredited

Preschool:

Yes

Hours of Operation:

8:00 am - 3:30 pm.