Typical Day Typical Day
Activities change as the children change, but we tend to get into routines that provide a safe framework for the children, adapting them as necessary. We usually take a trip to San Pablo park once per week and also have a weekly music class with Melita Doosten. We play outside every day, rain or shine.
8:30—9:30 Children arrive and are greeted. Parents give a general report on mood, sleep, toileting, and any other important information. The children have free play and get comfortable before their family leaves. The children choose: ride-on toys, cuddling, stories, singing, sorting, or any number of toys, regularly rotated and generally made of natural materials.
9:30—10:00 Morning meeting: we have fruit as we gather together at the table and talk about our plans for day.
10:00—10:30 Indoor play: the children choose their activities: yoga, blocks, house play, dolls, etc.
10:30—12:15 Outdoor play: we spend time looking at the plants and the bugs, working in the yard, or digging in the large sandbox. The children interact with the plants, watch the birds, play & explore with water, paint, read, eat figs from the tree, hunt for strawberries in the patch, taste herbs in the garden, hide in the playhouse or just lay in the mulch and feel the sun on their skin.
11:45—12:15 Lunch: We often eat outside, if the weather permits. Lunch is typically vegetarian with lots of beans, pasta, rice, or tortillas. We have at least two veggies from our Full Belly Box with lunch.
12:15—1:00 Indoor and outdoor play. The children choose where they want to be and what they do. Children who need earlier naps should be picked up in time to accomodate their needs.We give a detailed verbal report of our day, the ups and downs, health & eating reports, moments of triumph, or challenges. Children need to be picked up by 1:00.
"My daughter Charlotte is thriving at Happy Baby, she gets really dirty, which means(to me anyway) that she allowed to explore at her own pace, to her interests.”
—Shauna Fithian