Our Daily Routine
9:00 - 9:30 am Arrival and Transition
Children are warmly welcomed at the front door. Please help your child remove their shoes and place them on the shoe rack. Upon entering the environment, please help your child open their bag. They can then put their lunch box in the fridge and their water bottle on the trolley; this helps them settle in and supports their strong sense of order and independence. A warm, predictable goodbye and your toddler will choose what they want to engage with. I am always here to collaborate as well.
9:30 - 11 am Montessori Work Cycle
An uninterrupted time for self-chosen activity, known as ‘The Montessori Work Cycle’, begins with each child choosing what to engage with. I will guide, collaborate and provide personalised presentations of the materials by observing your child and their interests, skills and challenges.
Morning Tea/Snack Time
This is flexible depending on each child’s individual needs and hunger cues. I encourage a child’s introspection. It’s available on a self-serve basis. Please pack your child healthy snacks without plastic packaging (as much as possible). I am passionate about sustainable behaviours, and like any behaviour role-modelled to them, they are absorbed and embodied by the child only if they see adults doing and participating in them. I have a compost bin inside and a worm farm outside for the children to use.
Food preparation is also offered as a Practical Life activity for your child to choose from throughout the day. This can be anything from cutting a banana to making orange or mandarin juice, making guacamole or baking. We are purposeful and seasonal!
11:00 – 12:00 pm Outside
I wind down the indoor session by singing songs on the ukulele or djembe. Children have the choice of whether to participate or not. This, too, signals to the children that the outdoor environment is now open! Climbing, riding bikes, wheelbarrowing, exploring outdoors, playing, walking, gardening, caring for plants, water play, reading, relaxing, chit chat - whatever they feel like doing. The timing of this will vary with the season and UV ratings as well.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Lunch Preparation and Lunch
Children help set the table, serve themselves, tidy and wash up. Shared meal encourages independence and social grace. I eat with the children too. It’s a lively and lovely time of conversation, laughter and sharing.
1:00 pm - 2/2:15 pm Sleep and Rest Time
I collaborate with each child to help them make their beds. Each child rests according to their individual needs. Some sleep; others engage in quiet, restful activities, such as reading, doing puzzles, or drawing.
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm Afternoon Exploration and Play
Children gently reorient themselves, transitioning from rest to wake in an unhurried manner. Once they have reconnected with their environment, they enter a peaceful and receptive state, ready to choose any one of the grounding, sensory-rich materials available to them.
2:45 pm - 3 pm Singing, Reflection, Conversation and Home Time
We tidy up the environment as a team, pack bags with daily items such as a water bottle and a lunch box, and prepare to go home. I will sit on the floor and either sing, read poetry and rhythmic language, or read high-quality literature or engage in oral storytelling. ( Or all of the above! ) Children have the choice whether to participate or not.
3 pm - Home Time
Warm, consistent goodbyes and connection with parents.
Key Principles Behind our Routine
Consistency builds trust and a sense of order.
Long work cycles protect concentration ( which develops the intellect), self-directed activity, agency and independence.
Individual rhythms respected, flexibility for toileting, rest, and food.
Calm transitions rather than abrupt or rushed changes.
Community participation, children contribute to meal prep, cleaning, and caring for the environment.
Respect for individual needs (sleep, eating, toileting, activities and activity level).
Predictability provides emotional security. ( Very important )
Freedom within structure, children choose within a prepared environment. specifically curated to meet their developmental needs.
Practical life routines (handwashing, dressing, toileting) are integrated naturally.
As a side note, despite the importance of routine and predictability, flexibility is equally important with children. I understand, too, the importance of working alongside parents, respecting the individual needs and interests of the children, and accommodating these as best I can.