School Experience

Typical Day

6:30-9:00Arrival , Free Play
9:00-9:30Circle Time
9:30-9:45Snack
9:45-10:15Art
10:15-10:45Directed Play
10:45-11:15Playground
11:15-11:35Dance/Music/Rhythm
11:35-11:45Preparation for Lunch
11:45-12:30Lunch
1:00-3:00Nap
3:00-3:30Puzzles/Stories
3:30-3:45Snack
3:45-4:30Playground
4:30-6:00Free Play/Pick-up

Calendar of Events

HCDC-special-days

Special Summer Days

  • Dots & Spots day
  • Wet & Wild Wednesdays
  • S’mores day
  • July 4th picnic day, at school
  • August picnic day, whole family, at Bay Pines Park
  • Very Berry Day
  • Watermelon Day
  • Ice Cream Day
  • Jammin’ Jello Day
  • Wild West Day
  • Wiggly Wormy Day
  • Mad Hatter Tea Party Day

Special Days

  • Valentines
  • St.Patricks Day
  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • School birthday (9/30/91)
  • Visit from firemen/trucks
  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving Family Feast
  • Grandparent Luncheon
  • Holiday Program in Dec.
  • “Take a Saturday Off” for parents—kids can come on a Sat. while parents do Christmas shopping
  • Pajama Party and Christmas Magic Show (includes Santa)

Birthdays

Birthdays are special times for children and we would like to share in the celebration if you wish to have your child’s party with the class. Some parents go all out with food and drinks, favors and decorations; others send treats because their child will be having other parties at home ,etc. Whatever you want to do will be fine; we ask that you coordinate it with the Teacher ahead of time.

Some parents like to instead buy a gift for the classroom because it lasts longer. This idea is always appreciated; check with the Director or Teacher for items needed.

Meals & Snacks

Children’s lunchboxes must have names on them. We do not have space for refrigeration of lunchboxes, so parents usually put some kind of ‘freezy’ inside. We do not allow any candy at lunch, so please refrain from sending it to school. If there is candy in a lunchable, etc., it will be put back into the box to be taken home.

We serve snacks twice a day and always with either 100% fruit juice or 2% milk. Snacks will be low in sugar, salt, and fat. The snack schedule is always posted on the refrigerator for you to review. Snack substitutions will only be made due to allergies, religious reasons, or for vegetarians. Please make sure the Center is aware of these exceptions, if applicable.

Personal Belongings

Each child will bring to school a full change of clothing in case of accidents, spills, etc. Soiled clothes will be put into plastic bags to be taken home at day’s end. All clothes should be labeled with the child’s name.

For children who are not toilet-trained yet, parents must supply diaperspullups, etc. When a new supply is needed, parents will be notified.

All children must bring a light-weight blanket for naptime. The school will provide the cot sheet and will launder them; the blanket is the responsibility of the parent to take home each Friday to be washed and returned Monday.

Small stuffed animals or dolls are permitted for naptime also; no other toys, action figures, toy weapons of any kind, etc. are allowed as they cause trouble between classmates who want to borrow them, etc. Other items not permitted at school are gum, balloons, money and anything of value.

Dress

Because children take an active role in center activities, we recommend they wear comfortable clothing suitable for the day’s weather and for play. We also recommend tennis shoes or other shoes with rubber soles and enclosed toes since they are better for active running and climbing. Sandals, thongs, and jelly-type shoes are often the cause of mishaps.

In cooler weather, please send your child to school with a sweater or jacket as we do not have enough extras for each child. Again, these should have the child’s name inside.

Toilet Training

Hortin Center will assist in the process of toilet training our 2 year old children. Parents are responsible for providing disposable diapers/pull-ups and the center will provide wipes(unless your child requires special wipes.) The child will be considered toilet trained after a month of using the bathroom facilities and of no “accidents”. No child may move to the 3’s room until and unless he/she is 100% trained.