Somerset Preschool Schedule

Children are often having their first educational experience outside their home and are developing a positive feeling about school. As children engage with Somerset’s unique preschool learning environment, they are introduced to foundational academic experiences and information which underlie pre-reading and pre-math learning while they further develop their social and communication skills, enhance their curiosity, creatively explore, problem-solve, and learn to function effectively and independently in our stimulating and interesting classrooms.

  • Ages 2.5 – 4 Years 
  • Teacher/Child Ratio 1:8
  • Toilet training not required
  • Minimum 2 half days/week

Extended Morning Care – Optional

Hours: 7:00 – 9:00am

  • Somerset offers a Morning Care option for a flat rate of $8 per session. This service is separate from the regular preschool day and requires an additional fee. During Morning Care, children are supervised by our Morning Care teacher and engage in various activities, although there is no formal curriculum planned. Children who attend both Morning and Afternoon Care on the same day receive a discounted rate of $12 per day.

Welcome Time/Open Centers Exploration

AM Session – 9:00am

PM Session – 1:00pm

  • Teachers welcome children as they arrive while parents help them wash their hands and explore different interest areas. Teachers facilitate learning by guiding and encouraging children in choosing and participating in center activities.

Open Snack Time

AM Session – 9:45am

PM Session – 1:45pm

  • Children are encouraged to make their own choices and learn/follow appropriate snack time routine. This format enables children to practice skills of making choices, self-help, time-management, and socialization with peers and teachers in a small group learning environment.

Clean-Up Time

AM Session – 10:20am

PM Session – 2:20pm

  • Teachers guide children in picking up toys developing their skills of sorting, matching, following directions, building cooperation and teamwork.

Story Group Time

AM Session – 10:30am

PM Session – 2:30pm

  • The teachers support emergent reading and literacy skills, such as, phonological and alphabet awareness, knowledge of print and its uses, comprehension, and retelling/predicting stories through story time experiences.

Small Group Time

AM Session – 10:45am

PM Session – 2:45pm

  • Teachers work with small groups of children to build positive approaches to learning, developing skills of focusing, persisting, problem solving, flexibility in thinking and communication.

Music & Movement Time

AM Session – 11:30am

PM Session – 3:30pm

  • Children develop large motor coordination, language and listening skills along with the ability to follow directions and build focus through music and movement.
  • Building a class community.

Gross Motor Time

AM Session – 11:25am

PM Session – 3:25pm

  • Children practice their developing gross motor skills, such as, balancing, traveling, running, climbing, catching, throwing, skipping, and playing together under supervision of their classroom teachers.
  • The playground and our indoor gym are considered an extension of the classroom.

Dismissal

AM Session – 12:00pm

PM Session – 4pm

  • Teachers release children directly to their parents at the playground gate.

Lunch/Rest Time

12:00 – 1:00pm

Children enrolled in the full-day program will have a lunch and rest period from 12pm – 1pm, with lunch provided from home. Lunch & rest are provided to children who stay a full day at Somerset, but children who attend either the morning or afternoon half-day session can add an occasional drop-in lunch/rest period for an additional fee, based on availability. Please contact us a minimum of 24 hours in advance to schedule a drop-in lunch or lunch & rest session. 

    • Lunch Only: 12:00 – 12:30pm, $8
    • Lunch & Rest: 12:00 – 1:00pm, $10

Extended Afternoon Care – Optional

Hours: 4:00 – 6:00pm

  • Somerset offers an Afternoon Care option for a flat rate of $8 per session. This service is separate from the regular preschool day and requires an additional fee. During Afternoon Care, children are supervised by our Afternoon Care teacher and engage in various activities, although there is no formal curriculum planned. Children who attend both Morning and Afternoon Care on the same day receive a discounted rate of $12 per day.

Note – Toileting needs are met throughout the session as needed.  However, extra attention is given after snack time.  Also, the schedule times may be affected during the winter season when more time is needed for dressing into winter clothing.