The Rhythm

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9:00 — Drop off and breakfast

9:30 — Outdoor play, garden time, and animal care

12:00 — Come inside, wash hands, gather at the community table

12:30 — Lunch

1:00 — Quiet play and nap transition

1:30 — Rest or quiet play

3:00 — Snack and indoor play or creative activity

4:00 — Goodbyes 

Monday •

Breakfast: greek yogurt - seasonal berries - granola 

Lunch: mushroom and ricotta raviolI with lemon cream sauce - peas and sausage 

Snack: Apples and cheese

Tuesday •

Breakfast: blueberry oat porridge - real maple - splash of heavy cream

Lunch: whole wheat bow-tie pasta - seasonal vegetables -  quick tomato sauce - ginger chicken thighs

Snack: mini oranges - mozzarella sticks

Wednesday •

Breakfast: whole wheat almond banana pancakes - real maple - heavy cream 

Lunch: jasmine rice stir fry - snow pea, mini corn, carrot, broccoli - beef - liquid amino, ginger, garlic

Snack: dried mango - whole wheat cracker rounds 

Thursday •

Breakfast: scrambled eggs - whole wheat toast - seasonal berries 

Lunch: ”cream of chicken soup can casserole” broccoli - cheddar - chicken breast 

Snack: banana - graham cracker

Friday •

Breakfast: granny smith apples - peanut butter spoons - whole wheat crackers 

Lunch: turkey kielbasa Cajun rice - red beans, celery, sweet pepper, garlic, fire roasted tomato and beef stock base 

Snack: mini whole wheat pretzel twists and cheddar cheese slices 

Time Outside

We spend as much time as possible in our outdoor classroom. The seasons provide a natural rhythm, and KDHE best practices for weather limits and severe conditions are strictly followed.

This naturally creates longer stretches of outdoor time in the fall and spring, and shorter periods during the peak heat of summer and the coldest winter days.

Weather-appropriate gear is required.

Spring

• Windbreaker

• Layers for colder days

• Mud boots

• Rain suit

Summer

• Towel and swimsuit

• Crocs or stable, water-friendly shoes

• Sun hat

Fall

• Medium to heavy jacket

• Winter boots

• Light gloves or mittens

• Warm hat

Winter

• Winter boots

• Rain suit

• Waterproof mittens

• Winter coat

• Snow suit

Activities shift naturally with the seasons and with the growth of the children themselves. During longer periods indoors, smaller, more focused invitations are introduced — clay, play dough, kinetic sand, drawing, and other hands-on materials that support fine motor development and creative concentration.

Children naturally play in themes. Play is the way they metabolize the world around them. I observe these themes closely and create material invitations within the environment that complement their current developmental work.

Open-ended toys and objects allow imagination to unfold artistically rather than following a sequence directed by adult instruction. This preserves the child’s internal process while still offering thoughtful structure.