What age can kids start at Little Darling School?

Children 3-6 are accepted into the Little Darling School program. With assessment, children can begin as early as 2 1/2. 

WHAT ARE your Tuition RATES?

Our program has a 3-hour daily minimum with a two day a week minimum.  We feel this allows a child to gain a sense of belonging with their school.

Early Morning Program
(Includes small breakfast/snack)
3 hours / $50 a day (7:30-10:30, 8:00-11:00 or 8:30-11:30)
4 hours / $65 a day (7:30-11:30 am only)

Morning Program
(Includes lunch and 2 snacks)
3 hours / $60.00 a day
4 hours / $75.00 a day
5+ hours / $85.00 a day (full day)

Afternoon Program
(Includes snack)
3 hour / $50 a day
4 hour / $65 a day

Annual Supply Fee Preschool $300.00 a year
Teacher Benefit Contribution $15 a month
Refundable Security Deposit $100.00

What does it mean to have custom scheduling?

We recognizes that families need child care hours for their preschool-ready children. Our school is open from 7:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. with morning and afternoon programs, as well as a few all-day spots. We require a two-day minimum each week, with a minimum of three hours per day. We do our absolute best to give you the schedule that meets your child's needs, works for your family, and balances age and gender within the school. 

Are vacation days available?

Preschool Students
The Preschool and Ladybug program run an open roster vacation policy, which allows for ten days of vacation per year without having to pay tuition with a maximum of two days taken in the same month. Vacation days are not available for the months of December or August. It is necessary for you to notify us via email littledarlingschool@comcast.net two weeks in advance in order for your tuition to be waved.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Students
Our Pre-K Ladybug program runs a closed roster vacation policy and is exclude from the vacation policy to insure the continuity of the class. Please still let us know if your child will not be in attendance.

Scheduled School Closures
The school is closed two and a half weeks every year. Once in the winter, once in the Spring, and once in the late Summer. These closures are tuition free weeks for both the preschool and the pre-k / kindergarten.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE?

Our environment is set up in a way that encourages child-directed play while still providing teacher-directed activities at certain times of the day, providing a safe larger group experience. We have daily, weekly, or monthly themes that the children suggest which create ways to connect larger group projects, field trips, guests, or other activities.

Our philosophy is that the child is the curriculum. Their interests and inspirations guide the focus and activities of the program. We will happily explain more of the basis and details of our philosophy in person or refer you to resources that may ease your own role as teacher (and student sometimes) with your preschooler. Daily schedules vary but this is what a typical day will look like.

7:30 A.M. 
Opening and greetings

8:00 A.M. 
Beginning of a.m. preschool program
The focus is on child-directed learning in the prepared learning centers with changing materials and concepts to engage with. This is a strong socialization practice period with teachers supporting conflict resolution and communication. Small group activities that have been developed by the students are accentuated with guidance from teachers. Each learning center holds an activity for individual and co-active (cooperative) engagement for the students.  The children can help with snack preparations.

9:00 A.M. 
Morning snack

9:30 A.M. 
An outdoor area is opened. Children are given restroom reminders, drink water reminders and diaper changes if necessary. 

10:00 A.M. 
Teacher-directed activities occur

10:30 A.M.Outdoor area activities are encouraged and an additional teacher comes on to serve as floating support during the busier mid-day times.

11:00 A.M.Restroom reminders happen along with drink water reminders and diaper changes.
Lunch preparation creates opportunities to work with food and cooking in a safe way. School cleanup happens, preparing for the all-student Sun Room Gathering Circle at 11:30.

11:15 A.M.
Question of the day happens with three groups of 7-8 children. This is the transition to the larger Gathering Circle.

11:45 A.M. 
Gathering Circle transition into lunch: songs, yoga, games, puppet show

12:00 P.M.
Lunch. This is a great time for the children to learn about: table setting, choice of lunch items, intriguing conversations and conflict resolution, personal place-setting cleanup, and following directions. We sing an opening song with all students in both rooms before eating. There are groups of 11 and 13 in each room at this time, excepting special occasions when everyone eats in the Sun Room.

12:30 P.M.
Story Time for all students
Goodbyes and Greetings - Clean up/ Set up/ Transition time to leave.

1:00 P.M.
P.M. preschool program begins, Child-directed activities available in the Sun room Moon room and outside. Children can help with snack preparations. Staff rotation and time for parent/staff dialogue for AM Program families in Moon Room

2:00 P.M.
Teacher Directed Activities in each area.

2:30 P.M.
The focus is on child-directed learning in the prepared learning centers with changing materials and concepts to engage with. This is a strong socialization practice period with teachers supporting conflict resolution and communication. Small group activities that have developed by the students are accentuated with guidance from teachers. Each learning center holds an activity for individual and co-active engagement for the students. Restroom & Drink Water reminders as well as diaper changes.

2:50 P.M.
Transition circles (2-3 small groups) take place with hand washing and Question of the Day.

3:00 P.M.
Afternoon snack is served.

3:30 P.M.
Gathering Circle occurs with puppet shows, interactive stories, songs, games, etc.

4:00 P.M.
Child directed activities take place in two to three areas. We also do potty reminders, drink water reminders, or diaper changes at this time.

5:00 P.M.
One room is open with 7 children. Small snacks and stories are usually the focus of this time.

6:00 P.M.
The school is closed and set up for the next day. Lesson plans are posted in the reception area and each room has a
daily activity board that outlines various events or activities.