Open Every Gate

Morning 
Gathering

Each morning your child's class will gather in a cozy area in their classroom with their teachers and friends to build their own special classroom culture and family. During this time they welcome each other, sing songs, read stories, share topics of interest with each other, discuss the plans of the day ahead, and reflect on yesterday's learning experiences in order to delve even deeper into topics and explorations.

Classroom 
Explorations

A very important portion of your child's morning will be spent exploring the invitations and amazing provocations that the teachers have intentionally created in the classroom.

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Outdoor 
Explorations

Outdoor play is an integral part in early childhood development. At Little Gate, children can run, play, jump, throw, catch, laugh, kick balls, balance, leap, slide, hang, roll and more. They love the playground, rock box, green grass field, butterfly garden, vegetable garden, toddler yards, mud pie kitchen, and our bike path. For those children who are looking for more of a challenge, we have a rock wall and tarzan wings, and wooden 2 x 4’s by our tree stumps to encourage balancing and strength, and large hollow blocks for heavy lifting. Outdoors they are free to be children at play.

Story 
Time

Our enrichment classes provide extra opportunities for these young students and Story Time encourages a love of reading. Several times a week classes gather to read, engage, and this helps our children make a connection with the things they see in their lives, while enriching and developing their growing vocabulary. Listening and participating is also an important part of Story Time. Often basic sign language is introduced through song so that story time includes the chance for children to get the wiggles out.

Tinker 
Studio

In the creative setting of the Tinker Studio, children are enticed to participate and create without having to follow a step by step rule book. They are provided with the knowledge and understanding of how to use a variety of tools and materials so they can create their very own outcomes. This is where our youngest learners first feel a sense of wonder and power as they make their dreams a reality. From chain reactions and light and shadow, to pendulums, deconstruction and reconstruction, these young makers are in a space designed especially for them where their creativity knows no bounds.

FUNdamentals

FUNdamentals is a developmentally age-appropriate class for children ages 1-5 (toddlers-K) that follows a rhythmic schedule with a balance of physical, intellectual, social and emotional stimulation with periods of contemplation for calm, creative reflection.It is an outdoor class for the most part, utilizing the rock box, and the green space, weather permitting.

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Communal 
Dining

Mealtime at Little Gate is not just about eating, it is a time to gather with your teachers and friends around a table with nutritious food provided by our dining services in a routine that creates the feeling of being part of a special classroom family. It is a time to help prepare and distribute, a time to converse about the day's events and what is still to come. It is a calm, happy, comforting time where the class gathers together, refuels and looks forward to the next portion of their day.

Rest 
Time

Rest time is a very important portion of your child's day at Little Gate. They play and work hard—and they rest hard! If he/she stays with us for a full day, your Little Gater will have a nap/rest time following lunch time. Nap time is in your child's classroom and the children rest quietly on their nap mats with blankets and any lovies from home. Teachers create a calm and soothing environment to help our children rest. Lights are low, soft music is on, and children participate in a nap time routine that is unique to each class.