PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
SCC’s philosophy is nature-based and child-centered, with a commitment to providing an inclusive environment in which all children can learn and grow through play. We believe that humans have a deep and inherent need for connection to the natural world and this connection is essential to healthy human growth and development. Our curriculum is emergent and experiential, providing child-led play based experiences in our natural environment that lead to individualized learning.
Our toddler program is strongly influenced by RIE (founded by Magda Gerber) which promotes immense respect for the child as an autonomous human being. This foundation of respect is carried across classrooms and ages. In preschool and school-age classrooms, teachers draw from resources in Positive Discipline, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Responsive Classroom to support each child’s social-emotional development.
ENROLLMENT
SCC has two mixed-age classrooms: The Spruce Class - toddlers (18-36 months) and The Maple Class - preschool (3-5 years). There are two enrollment periods, one for school-year programs (September-June) and one for summer camp (July-August)
SCHOOL YEAR
Children attend 2, 3, or 5 days a week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-3:15pm
Kindergarten school age hours: 12:00-3:15pm
Kindergarten students are picked up by an SCC teacher at 12:05 from Sandwich Central School and walked back to SCC for afternoon programming. Children first grade and older take the bus from SCS to SCC at regular dismissal time (2:35).
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Enrollment for the school-year begins in March and enrollment for summer camp programs begins in February. If there are spaces available outside of these enrollment periods, admission will be considered on a rolling basis. SCC maintains a wait list for interested families when classrooms are fully enrolled.
SCHEDULE
As a nature-based, child-centered program, we encourage exploration and a pace that is developmentally appropriate for each age group. Our days and weeks are flexibly scheduled and determined by the weather, phenomena in the natural world, and the interests of the children. The sample schedule below is a snapshot and not a rigid routine.
SAMPLE PRESCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00am: Arrival at outdoor play area.
9:00am: Morning meeting & snack
10:00am: Explorations indoors and outdoors. Children move freely in the space, choosing activities that interest them. This time may also include hikes, walking field trips, special visitors, games, music, yoga, and small group time.
12:00pm: Lunch time
1:00pm: Story time
1:15pm-2:45pm: Quiet time
3:00pm: Snack and pack up for end of the day
3:15pm: Pick up for full day program
SCC’s philosophy is nature-based and child-centered, with a commitment to providing an inclusive environment in which all children can learn and grow through play. We believe that humans have a deep and inherent need for connection to the natural world and this connection is essential to healthy human growth and development. Our curriculum is emergent and experiential, providing child-led play based experiences in our natural environment that lead to individualized learning.
Our toddler program is strongly influenced by RIE (founded by Magda Gerber) which promotes immense respect for the child as an autonomous human being. This foundation of respect is carried across classrooms and ages. In preschool and school-age classrooms, teachers draw from resources in Positive Discipline, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Responsive Classroom to support each child’s social-emotional development.
ENROLLMENT
SCC has two mixed-age classrooms: The Spruce Class - toddlers (18-36 months) and The Maple Class - preschool (3-5 years). There are two enrollment periods, one for school-year programs (September-June) and one for summer camp (July-August)
SCHOOL YEAR
Children attend 2, 3, or 5 days a week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-3:15pm
Kindergarten school age hours: 12:00-3:15pm
Kindergarten students are picked up by an SCC teacher at 12:05 from Sandwich Central School and walked back to SCC for afternoon programming. Children first grade and older take the bus from SCS to SCC at regular dismissal time (2:35).
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
- Interested families visit SCC for a tour and meeting with the Director
- Families complete a registration form
- Upon acceptance, families complete enrollment forms, provide documentation of a physical, sign a contract, and pay a deposit
Enrollment for the school-year begins in March and enrollment for summer camp programs begins in February. If there are spaces available outside of these enrollment periods, admission will be considered on a rolling basis. SCC maintains a wait list for interested families when classrooms are fully enrolled.
SCHEDULE
As a nature-based, child-centered program, we encourage exploration and a pace that is developmentally appropriate for each age group. Our days and weeks are flexibly scheduled and determined by the weather, phenomena in the natural world, and the interests of the children. The sample schedule below is a snapshot and not a rigid routine.
SAMPLE PRESCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00am: Arrival at outdoor play area.
9:00am: Morning meeting & snack
10:00am: Explorations indoors and outdoors. Children move freely in the space, choosing activities that interest them. This time may also include hikes, walking field trips, special visitors, games, music, yoga, and small group time.
12:00pm: Lunch time
1:00pm: Story time
1:15pm-2:45pm: Quiet time
3:00pm: Snack and pack up for end of the day
3:15pm: Pick up for full day program
