Other Opportunities
Food Program
Our food program is focused on quality and consistency. We want to provide healthy foods for our kids consistently, to help build healthy eating habits. Teachers role model healthy eating habits, by eating along with the children. We talk about what good for you’s are, and what is good for your body and why. We also participate in the American Kidney Foundations Reggie Rainbow Program, where kids try different colored fruits and veggies each week
Children on our meal plan, Breakfast, Lunch and/or Snack, will receive a kid friendly, healthy and delicious meal that meet the USDA Child Care Guidelines.
Children who bring their own lunch from home, can pack breakfast, or a small breakfast snack if they eat at home in the morning, lunch, and a snack. Please pack an ice pack in the lunch box. We do not microwave meals (prohibited by licensing regulations). If your child wants a hot meal packed, we suggest heating it up in the morning and storing it in a thermos.
When in preschool, the children begin to pour their own milk and water. Yes, there are spills, but kids learn through their mistakes. At Play and Learn, we encourage these natural learning settings, where kids can learn to do everyday tasks, in a safe encouraging environment.
At Play and Learn we have many programs designed to help our children learn and grow.
Library Program
We host a local librarian two times a year, to come in and read us stories. There is a theme for the day, and children listen, sing, and participate in four stories. Preschool age children participate in the Library Program, but all ages are able to participate. They love the stories and enjoy being interactive learners during the program.
Reading Program
We take several preschool students to Brecon Village, a local senior home, to read with the “grandmas and grandpas”. We work with the Enrichment Coordinator to develop a mutually beneficial intergenerational program. Kids choose their favorite books, and find a cozy couch or chair. Seniors read the books and share stories. The kids love the books, and build relationships with the seniors. The seniors are always so happy and joyous to see the children
Field Trips
Our school has a bus that the children love to ride to and from field trips. We go to many local places, zoos, parks, museums and nature centers. Field trips are not only fun and educational, but they help the children mature and grow into young learners. Most of our field trips happen in the summertime, but we do have occasional seasonal field trips throughout the school year. All Field Trips are planned, and communicated to the families.
We also have many events at our school. We host magicians, artists, Saline Fire Departments, and a petting zoo. These events are fun for all our children.
Outside Play
Our playgrounds are an extension of our classrooms and are very important for learning. This is Michigan, and we do experience all the seasons, but that doesn’t stop us from having fun. Going out in the winter and rain helps build resilience. Unless it’s very rainy, or too cold, we go outside 2 times a day!
Being in Nature is also very important for emotion regulation. We enjoy having many nature learning opportunities from building caterpillar and tadpole habitats, to nature walks and gardening.