Class Hours
All regular classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. After school classes or 'lunch bunches' run until 1:30 p.m.
General Class outline
At AHCNS we believe that a child's play is his/her work. Our materials and equipment are selected especially for developing preschoolers. We guide children to use these materials constructively and creatively. Our professional nursery school teachers are all certified by the State of Maryland. Each day two designated adults serve as the classrom assistants or co-opers. Our teachers base classroom activities on the psychosocial, cognitive, language, and physical development skills appropriate to the age of the class. Children are encouraged to communicate their own individuality through creative art and expressive play.
Once a week, we supplement the regularly scheduled activities with a 30 minute 'Mini Movers' class. Taught by a separate instructor, this class consists of music and rhythm, gross motor skill and coordination development, along with the learning and reinforcing of step-by-step instructions. This is all accomplished through the use of songs with finger play, rhythm sticks, obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and large movement games.
From October through March, our 3 and 4 year-old students are offered the opportunity to attend additional instructional classes (the 'Lunch Bunch') after the regular school day. An emphasis is given to the arts, sciences, languages (Spanish) and math. Children bring their own lunch and remain at school an additional 1½ hours beyond the regular school day. The fee for each lunch bunch is $10 per afternoon.
Two-Year-Old Classes (known as the Panda classes)
We have two 2-year-old classes. One meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and the other meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Both classes follow the same curriculum. We believe that the first year of school should be an introduction to this new "school-time" routine. Children are helped and encouraged toward the first stage of independence by learning to spend time away from their parents or caregivers. Children also learn to play and share alongside other children. These important steps are taken in a secure and nurturing environment.
In the 'two's classes', children are introduced to basic themes during the year, such as holidays and seasons. They will usually do an art project related to the theme as well as create and imagine with playdough, paint at the easel, and play with the many different toys, puzzles, and books in the room.
- Monday/ Wednesday two's - 9:30 am to 12:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Tuesday/ Thursday two's - 9:30am to 12:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Schedule | |
| 9:30 - 10:15 | Greeting the children/ free play |
| 10:15 - 10:30 | Circle time |
| 10:30 - 10:55 | Active outdoor play |
| 11:00 - 11:15 | Snack |
| 11:15 - 11:40 | Story time and active song time |
| 11:40 - 12:00 | Play in the riding room |
| 12:00 | Dismissal |
Three-Year-Old Classes (known as the Monkey classes)
Even if they have had previous school or group experience, the three year old is different! Most children have language to express themselves, and are becoming keen to interact with their classmates. Although no child is required to be toilet trained at AHCNS, toilet training has either been complete or is a very real part of their routine. Three year olds see themselves as "big". For these reasons, we believe that the role of the pre-school in this class is to help teach social skills, to help children understand the give and take of relationships, to recognize the importance of cooperation, and most importantly, to feel they are in a safe place to try these new skills.
The three-year-old curriculum is based on units of study. Some examples are: animals, getting ready for winter, pets, and transportation. The daily art project has two objectives. Firstly, to introduce a process to the children, and secondly, to learn how to follow several steps or directions. In the three year old class, we are much more interested in having the children participate in the process, whether it is painting, mixing or gluing, rather that the result or product that they complete. This is a hands-on, exploratory learning experience. Circle and story time are an important part of the morning. Children at this age love repetition of songs and fingerplays. The school morning is a balance of free play, structured activities and outdoor play.
We have two 3-year-old classes; the same teacher teaches both and there is no age breakdown for either class.
- Two day Threes - Meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Three day Threes - Meets Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
| Schedule | |
| 9:30 | Arrival |
| 9:30 - 10:35 | Art projects and playtime |
| 10:35 -10:40 | Clean up |
| 10:40 - 11:00 | Circle time |
| 11:00 - 11:20 | Snack |
| 11:20 - 11:50 | Outdoor play |
| 11:50 - 12:00 | Story |
Four-Year-Old Classes (known as the Tigers (3 days) or Lions (4 days))
We have two different four-year-old classes, each run by its own teacher. Both classes emphasize cooperation, learning appropriate social and behavioral skills, and kindergarten readiness. The four-year-olds begin to see the world around them now. They recognize that there are things going on outside of their own world. Our units of study try and capitalize on that. Some examples of units of study would be: going to the doctor, Pilgrims and Native Americans, and plants and seeds.
Both classes look at time as am important part of the learning process. What is yesterday, today and tomorrow? What is the current month and day? Every week, the children will follow a recipe and make their own snack. Cooking is a great way for children to learn cooperation and math readiness skills!
A typical day in the four-year-old class is structured aound an art activity, reading a story, free play, and going outside. There are several stations throughout the room that enable children to work and explore independently or with one or two friends.
| Schedule | |
| 9:30 - 9:50 | Circle time with Calendar introduction to topic Plan for the day. |
| 9:50 - 10:45 | Art projects, station work, and free play, |
| 10:45 - 10:50 | Clean up |
| 10:50 - 11:05 | Circle time/ story |
| 11:05 - 11:25 | Snack |
| 11:25 - 11:50 | Outdoor play |
| 11: 50 - 12:00 | Story |