School Age Program Plan

A.	School age children attending Sandcastle will be supervised at all times by a staff member.
B.	Our program is licensed for 26 children, with a ratio of 1:13.
C.	Our program will operate Monday through Friday, from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm on school release days, and from 2:30-6:00 pm when school is in session.
D.	The school age program provides for developmental practices by:
	1.	Resourceful caring staff who understand the changing role adults play in school-agers' lives.
	2.	Recognizing the increasing importance of peers to school age children and youth.
	3.	Self-selection rather than staff selection of activities and experiences. Schedules allow greater flexibility for the children and youth. Required participation in activities and experiences is limited.
	4.	Staff use positive guidance and discipline techniques to help children and youth achieve self-control and develop their consciences.
	5.	Arranging the program to accommodate children and youth individually in small groups and in large groups to facilitate a wide variety of activities and experiences.
E.	Activities and experiences contribute to all aspects of the school age development:
	1.	Activities and experiences foster positive self-concept and a sense of independence.
	2.	Activities and experiences encourage children and youth to think, reason, question, and experiment, and be creative.
	3.	Activities and experiences enhance physical development and cooperation and promote a healthy view of competition.
	4.	Activities and experiences encourage sound health, safety, and nutritional practices and the wise use of leisure time.
	5.	Activities and experiences encourage awareness of and involvement in the community at large.
F.	This program will be reviewed and evaluated in writing annually by the staff.
G.	Parent conferences are optional, at parent, teacher, or director's request.

Sample list of equipment / activities:
Quiet puzzles, coloring, looking at books, singing songs, storytelling, art activities, computers	Active Outside play - ball games, field trips, jumping rope, bike riding, walking, hiking, etc.
Teacher Directed group games, drama (plays), art activities, large and small motor activities	Child Initiated looking at books, art activities, board games, manipulatives, and dramatic play

Rev. 10/04

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