Daily Rhythm

One of my favourite things about Rowanwood is the fluidity. Not only do the caregivers talk to the kids in such a gentle, harmonious way that diffuses potential stand-offs back into friendly play, the day itself has a natural flow. I feel my son has the rest of his life to be tied to a schedule, and while he loves a certain predictability, Rowanwood allows for the needs of the individual. Somehow, the group all gets organized to do the next activity, or head out to the park anyway, but schedules aren't strictly enforced. Rather, activities flow from one to the next as the kids are ready to move on.
Here is an example of a typical daily rythm:

8am Arrivals. As the kids arrive they play in the Block Corner, Dress-Up Corner, Kitchen Corner etc. Some snack preparation is going on in the kitchen which children can participate in under supervision.

Tidy up song "Clean up, clean up"

8:30-9:00 Welcome Circle – songs, stories, finger games and conversation.

9:15-9:30 Wash up and snacks. Children are seated at the table.

10:30 Activity of the day followed by outdoor play.

11:30 Wash hands, then lunch.

1-3 Naptime or Rest Time (puzzles, books, drawing)

3 Snack and Drink as kids wake up at their own pace. (Gentle waking is tried if kids are sleeping much longer than usual.)

3:30 Outdoor play

4:30- 4:45 Indoor transition

4:45- 5:30 Free Play

6 Tidy up and close.

(Washroom and potty breaks throughout the day as needed by kids and requested by parents.)

*Rowanwood Staff are encouraged to be flexible in the schedule to meet the needs of the children. Programmed play is woven throughout the activities of the day.

Our lovely backyard

Our backyard is in use year round. Even in the colder weather, the kids play outdoors and get lots of fresh air running, riding trikes and scooters and playing group games. But, of course, in the spring and summer the yard is lovely and pretty too!

Watering the flowers is great fun for all ages- talking about the colors, learning to be gentle, counting, playing and splashing the water... kids find ways to make everything fun, and learn while they do it. They love to water the plants and watch them grow! I'm hoping we can get a decent crop of tomatoes next summer, so they can enjoy eating some of what they grow.

Chalk drawing is a big activity outside. Our caregivers and kids draw all over the cement, and make squiggly snakes to run along, hopscotches for jumping and all kinds of other fun stuff. Along this theme, I made some cut-out blackboard shapes to affix to the fences. I made a car, a tree, a flower and a fish, so the kids can draw details on them or just scribble!

There is a large area covered in interlocking rubber tiles, which make a soft landing for more active play, and we've got lots of trikes, scooters and riding toys and other fun outdoor toys to make the summer fun and active for our growing group. and sunny and shady areas. A little very shallow pool is a safe place to splash and cool off on the hottest days, and a picnic table is the perfect spot for a snack.



Sparking the imagination and encouraging creativity is one of our biggest goals at Rowanwood, so we also have unexpected touches like fairies hiding in amongst the plants in the garden. These same fairies can be seen throughout the center. The kids love to look for the tiny fairies and create stories about what they're up to. Pictures on the fences stimulate the imagination, and offer lots for kids to look at and talk about.

We call it developing gross motor skills, kids call it playing! We have a big space, paved in soft rubber tiles, for kids to crawl, walk, ride or whatever they like. And when they're done, they love to park the toys in their spots.