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 three mixed-age classrooms: Toddlers (18-36 months), Preschool (3-5 years), and School Age (5-10 years).
SCHOOL YEAR
Children attend 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
School Age hours: 2:35-5:00pm
School Age students are dropped off by the Sandwich Central School bus at the Sandwich Children's Center at 2:35.
SUMMER
Children attend 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-4:00pm
Children of all ages are invited to participate in the summer program.
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Enrollment for the upcoming summer & school year begins in March. If there are spaces available outside of the enrollment period, 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.
SAMPLE TODDLER DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00- 8:45: Families arrive, check in with teachers, self-directed play for children
8:45- 9:20: Morning snack
9:20-9:30: Music & movement circle time
9:30-11:30: Self-directed play with emergent curriculum (indoors and outdoors)
11:30-12:00: Lunch
12:00-2:30: Rest then self-directed play
2:30-3:00: Afternoon snack then transition
3:30-5:00: Outside play
SAMPLE PRESCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00am: Arrival
9:00am: Morning meeting & snack
10:00am: Explorations 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.
11:45pm: Lunch time
12:00-2:30pm: Quiet/Rest time
2:30-3:00pm: Snack and pack up for end of the day
3:00-4:30pm: Outdoor play time
4:15-5:00pm: Pick up
*Outdoor times may change due to weather conditions. Children will be outside every day.
SAMPLE SCHOOL AGE SCHEDULE
2:35pm: Arrival
2:50-3:15pm: Snack and self-directed play, center activities offered
3:30-5:00pm: Outdoor time and pick up
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 three mixed-age classrooms: Toddlers (18-36 months), Preschool (3-5 years), and School Age (5-10 years).
SCHOOL YEAR
Children attend 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
School Age hours: 2:35-5:00pm
School Age students are dropped off by the Sandwich Central School bus at the Sandwich Children's Center at 2:35.
SUMMER
Children attend 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week
Full-day program hours: 8:00am-4:00pm
Children of all ages are invited to participate in the summer program.
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
- Interested families visit SCC for a tour and meeting with the Director
- Upon acceptance, families complete enrollment forms, provide documentation of a physical, sign a contract, and pay a deposit
Enrollment for the upcoming summer & school year begins in March. If there are spaces available outside of the enrollment period, 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.
SAMPLE TODDLER DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00- 8:45: Families arrive, check in with teachers, self-directed play for children
8:45- 9:20: Morning snack
9:20-9:30: Music & movement circle time
9:30-11:30: Self-directed play with emergent curriculum (indoors and outdoors)
11:30-12:00: Lunch
12:00-2:30: Rest then self-directed play
2:30-3:00: Afternoon snack then transition
3:30-5:00: Outside play
SAMPLE PRESCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00am: Arrival
9:00am: Morning meeting & snack
10:00am: Explorations 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.
11:45pm: Lunch time
12:00-2:30pm: Quiet/Rest time
2:30-3:00pm: Snack and pack up for end of the day
3:00-4:30pm: Outdoor play time
4:15-5:00pm: Pick up
*Outdoor times may change due to weather conditions. Children will be outside every day.
SAMPLE SCHOOL AGE SCHEDULE
2:35pm: Arrival
2:50-3:15pm: Snack and self-directed play, center activities offered
3:30-5:00pm: Outdoor time and pick up
