Outdoor Attire
Don't send children in cute outfits that need to stay nice
We love to get dirty! Our mud kitchen is one of the kids' favorite activities
Good gear makes ALL the difference
Rain gear:
Waterproof jacket & pants set / coveralls / muddy buddy suit
As many layers as needed to stay warm underneath
Some type of waterproof shoes. (Think jumping in puddles.)
Snow clothes:
Snow pants and coat
Snow boots with wool socks
hat / beanie
mittens (preferable) or gloves that they can put on mostly by themselves.
Layers
Wool is great for warmth and breathability but can be itchy. Merino wool is less itchy. I like to use it as a layer over base layers, or you can use a wool blend, Merino wool, or a polyester/spandex thermal underwear set.
Extreme weather that becomes unsafe will necessitate bringing the children inside
However, my hope is to spend as much time as possible outside, even on the hard days, so send your children dressed for the weather. On those "growing" (aka hard) days, we'll pop inside for snack and to throw mittens in the dryer. Then we'll bundle up and head back out.
Other Information
Volunteering
Volunteering is highly recommended. Responsibilities include keeping tabs on the kids and helping serve food at snack time. You are welcome to jump in on the play, or just observe from the side. My hope is to have 1 parent helper at each class. Younger/older siblings are welcome when you help. For every day you volunteer each month, you will receive a discount of $30 on the monthly tuition. You may volunteer for one or several days each month, pending availability.
Faith and Religion
I am a person of faith. This is not a religious pre-school, but poems and/or songs may refer to God as our creator. I plan to celebrate Christmas and Easter. If we have children of other non-Christian faiths, I'd be happy to frame things in an inclusive way, and to acknowledge other special holidays or rituals as well. If you have any concerns, let's chat. I want to be sensitive to other's beliefs.
Disclosures
A fish pond is situated in the back corner of our yard. It is an elevated Koi Pond and is very calming to observe. But it could be problematic if a curious child wanted to swim with the fish. It has never been an issue, but I do want to disclose that it is not fenced off, particularly as you will need to sign a liability waiver at registration. The yard is fenced, but one gate is hop-able to a determined child.
