Our Programs
Typical Day
Our preschool program serves children ages 2.5-5 years. Schedules remain flexible to meet each child’s individual needs but follow a predictable patter of play and routines to provide a sense of continuity and security.
Daily Schedule – this is modified to meet needs of the classroom and the individual child
8:40am - 9:10am: Check-in
9:10am - 10:00am: Free choice
10:00am - 10:15am: First Circle Time
10:15am - 10:45am: Small Group Activity/ Free Choice
10:45am - 10:50am: Handwashing and Snack Preparation
10:50am - 11:20am: Snack Time
11:20am - 11:50am: Outside/Large Motor Activities
11:50am - 12:00pm: Second Circle/Departure
Extended Day
Our popular Extended Day program is offered from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M. on Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays for our older children enrolled in morning classes. Children bring their own nutritious lunches and enjoy an afternoon of fun activities and friends while parents get a few extra hours in their week!
Typical Extended Day Schedule
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Inside Activities/ Muscle Room Time or Outside Play
1:00pm- 1:30pm: Rest Room Break, Handwashing and Lunch
1:30pm - 1:50pm: Free Play/ Planned Activity
1:50pm - 2:00pm: Story Time
2:00pm: Dismissal
Music Program
Threes, Fours and Rising Fives program enjoy weekly music classes with Miss Mary. Children learn fundamental music concepts of rhythm, tempo, and tone through songs and rhythm instruments.
In addition to our weekly music experience, all classes attend three lunch-time classical concerts by the School House Symphony.
Chapel Services
On Thursday mornings, children attend chapel in the Indian Hill Church Sanctuary. Each chapel includes music, a Bible story and prayer. In the fall, the children learn stories from the Old Testament beginning with the creation story. In December, the children learn about the birth of Jesus. In the spring semester we learn stories from the New Testament. Chapel is led by Jennifer Taylor (Director of Children and Family Ministry at the Indian Hill Church).
Friday Enrichment
Friday Enrichment meets every Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm. During this course Teachers provide hands on experiences for children to discover various topics that are not often explored in a typically preschool curriculum. Any child between the ages of three and five years old, priority given to currently enrolled children. Below are some of the lessons that children have explored during their time in Friday Enrichment.
The Earth
Landforms
Maps and Compasses
Simple Machines
Author Study: Andrea Beaty
Author Study: Mo Willems
The cost is $20 a session to be paid monthly on the first of the month.
Naturalist Program
Taking advantage of our unique, natural setting, Melanie Elkin takes our 3s, 4s, and 5s classes each month. Each 45 minute presentation includes a 15 minute indoor session followed by a 30 minute hike and exploration of our grounds. Past topics have included:
Exploring Fall Foliage.
Let’s Talk Turkey.
Maple Sugaring.
Colors in the Snow.
Animal Adaptations, Salamaders, Slithering Snakes.
Melanie Elkin, former 4’s teacher, joined the IHCNS staff in the mid 90’s. She has a passion for all things nature and is excited to delve into different natural processes and properties to help our students better understand the world around them. Mrs. Elkin loves to explore nature and share her knowledge with our students!