Enrollment and Fees
We offer 2/3/5 full or half day options. Full days are from 8:30am - 3:00pm and half days are from 8:30am - 12:00pm. Extended care is available at an extra rate as early as 7:15am and as late as 6:00pm. 2 Full days: $420/month 2 Half days: $345/month Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday 3 Full days: $595/month 3 Half days: $510/month Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 5 Full days: $930/month 5 Half days: $810/month Children in our Mixed Kindergarten program are eligible for tuition assistance. Sample Daily Rhythm: 8:30am - 9:00am: Welcome/Outdoor Play 9:00am - 9:30am: Morning Circle 9:30am - 10:30am: Creative Play/Artistic Activity or Snack Prep 10:30am - 11:00am: Snack 11:00am - 12:30pm: Outdoor Play 12:30pm - 1:00pm: Story Time 1:00pm - 1:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm - 2:45pm: Rest Time 2:45pm - 3:00pm: Dismissal and Outdoor Play |
Mixed Kindergarten Program RequirementsOur Mixed Kindergarten classes are designed for children 3 years old by the beginning of the school year to 6 years old. This age group includes children who would be eligible for Kindergarten in a traditional school setting. Children on the lower end of this age range may also be eligible for our Preschool program depending on space, class dynamic and development. Children in our Mixed Kindergarten are expected to be potty trained.
Benefits of mixed aged Classes
Our mixed aged classes limit the amount of transitions children have of teachers and environment during this important part in their development. Because children learn through imitation, it also gives our younger children a chance to learn from our older children, while giving the older children a sense of pride in their growth and ability to nurture the younger students in their class. Each year of growth, children are able to take their turn to handle more responsibilities in the classroom.
Rhythm of the day, Week, and SeasonsEvery day there is a clear rhythm for children to follow. As the day progresses, activities alternate between open-ended, child-directed activities and more inward activities, like circle-time, story time and eating snack together. Children learn organization skills by following this rhythm and feel secure because they know what to expect.
Our literacy curriculum follows what is developmentally appropriate for children. In Mixed Kindergarten aged children, the foundation for literacy is laid by focusing on developing a love of language through magical story telling, song, poetry, and verse. Our daily rhythm includes 2-4 hours of outdoor play in our natural playscape and plenty of opportunity for play and socialization throughout the day. While at many other schools children are not allowed out on rainy days, at Bayou Village School, safe rainy days provide children a chance to suit up in their rain gear and enjoy making mudpies and engage in meaningful sensory activities in a natural environment. Children work out many of life's lessons by learning through play and imitation, and giving them the opportunity to creatively imitate what they see adults doing is vital to their growth and development. The day also includes "home arts", including snack preparation and assisting in daily chores such as setting the table, folding laundry, and cleaning their space. These activities give children a chance to develop a sense of responsibility for their space and their ability to take care of themselves. Each class has their own weekly rhythm which is followed throughout the year.
Below is an example of a weekly rhythm: Monday: Painting Tuesday: Bread Baking Wednesday: Beeswax Molding Thursday: Soup Making Friday: Eurythmy Finally, there is the seasonal rhythm. We celebrate seasonal festivals and incorporate certain seasonal activities into the children's daily rhythms. Classes have beautiful nature tables set up by the teachers, which change to reflect the seasons. Children are encouraged to bring nature items they find to add to their class' nature table. |
