3 Year Old Classes

Half Day 9am-12pm

The 3-year-old classroom is for children who turn 3 years old by December 1 of their enrolling year, or have turned 2 years and 9 months upon enrolling. This classroom provides a small teacher student ratio of 14:3.

This is a developmentally appropriate class focused on promoting social, emotional, academic, and physical growth. By engaging in activities both inside and outdoors, children learn about the world around them through hands on exploration and play. Our goal for the 3-year-old classroom is to support all the children wherever they are on their own learning path and to positively encourage growth in all areas of development. With a foundation that supports the whole child development we believe by the end of the 3 year program each child will be ready in enter our Pre-Kindergarten classroom successfully.

Full Day 9am-2:50pm

The 3 year old classroom is for children who turn 3 years old by December 1 of their enrolling year, or have turned 2 years and 9 months upon enrolling. This classroom provides a small teacher student ratio of 14:3.

This is a developmentally appropriate class focused on promoting social, emotional, academic, and physical growth. By engaging in activities both inside and outdoors, children learn about the world around them through hands on exploration and play. Our goal for the 3-year-old classroom is to support all the children wherever they are on their own learning path and to positively encourage growth in all areas of development.

A full day schedule allows the children in this class to fully benefit from all that ITAV has to offer. Full day children with have the opportunity to lunch with friends and participate in our multifaceted enrichment program which includes art, gardening, music, dance, soccer, and cooking.  With a foundation that supports the whole child development we believe by the end of the 3-year program each child will be ready in enter our Pre-Kindergarten classroom successfully.

Schedule

  • 9am | Arrival

    Children are dropped off to the outdoor classroom, with their back packs, where they will be greeted by their teacher. As a nature-based preschool, we are committed to fostering a relationship with nature and will start the classroom day outdoors in all weather. A crucial part of successful play in all weather is clothing. For appropriate outdoor clothing please see “clothing” in daily schedules. During this time children have the opportunity to explore the outdoor classroom, socialize, experience unstructured play, tend to the garden, or play on traditional playground climbing structures.

    10:15am | Snack

    Children will transition to inside where they will wash their hands and be seated for a family style snack provided by ITAV. All our snacks include fresh fruits, dairy, and healthy grains. Children are asked to provide their own refillable water bottle

    10:30am | Morning Meeting

    This time together evolves throughout the year as their development progresses. This is a time for friends to officially greet each other and to reinforce learning through song, and story.

    10:45am | Small Group - Whole Group Instruction

    Depending on the activity the class will either engage in a whole group project or be split into smaller groups. This time is an extension of morning meeting where learning is continued through crafts and activities.

    11:15am-12pm | Indoor Free Play

    Children are free to explore the different centers offered throughout the classroom. These include dramatic play and dress up, science and nature, building, fine motor, art, cozy corner reading, and sensory play. This unstructured free play will end with the children working together to clean the classroom and put aways loose parts

    12pm | Dismissal

  • 9am | Arrival

    Children are dropped off to the outdoor classroom, with their back packs, where they will be greeted by their teacher. As a nature-based preschool, we are committed to fostering a relationship with nature and will start the classroom day outdoors in all weather. A crucial part of successful play in all weather is clothing. For appropriate outdoor clothing please see “clothing” in daily schedules. During this time children have the opportunity to explore the outdoor classroom, socialize, experience unstructured play, tend to the garden, or play on traditional playground climbing structures.

    10:15am | Snack

    Children will transition to inside where they will wash their hands and be seated for a family style snack provided by ITAV. All our snacks include fresh fruits, dairy, and healthy grains. Children are asked to provide their own refillable water bottle.

    10:30am | Morning Meeting

    This time together evolves throughout the year as their development progresses. This is a time for friends to officially greet each other and to reinforce learning through song, and story.

    10:45am | Small Group - Whole group Instruction.

    Depending on the activity the class will either engage in a whole group project or be split into smaller groups. This time is an extension of morning meeting where learning is continued through crafts and activities.

    11:15am-12pm | Indoor Free Play

    Children are free to explore the different centers offered throughout the classroom. These include dramatic play and dress up, science and nature, building, fine motor, art, cozy corner reading, and sensory play. This unstructured free play will end with the children working together to clean the classroom and put aways loose parts.

    12pm-12:30pm | Lunch Followed by Clean Up and Bathroom

    Lunch is to be provided by families and sent in in a lunch box that your child can easily open and close. Please keep in mind our mission of health when packing your child’s lunch.

    12:45pm | Rest and Reflection

    After lunch children will settle into their resting spot. Families are asked to bring in a towel or bedding each week for your child to rest on. Children do not need to nap, but after a very busy morning, rest is a natural rhythm to our day. For those that fall asleep they can continue to nap.

    1pm | Enrichment

    For children who do not nap, an enrichment is provided by either ITAV teachers, or valued community members. Enrichment classes currently include gardening, cooking, dance, music, art and soccer. Provide enrichment link here for more information.

    2:15pm- 2:50pm | Bathroom, Outdoor Classroom Time, Dismissal

    Children will use the bathroom, gather their belongings and we will end the day in the outdoor classroom for dismissal.