Classrooms

Building Blocks Nursery School has two classrooms: 2 to 3 year old children upstairs in the Juniors and 4 to 5 year old children downstairs who attend the Preschool.

The daily schedule allows for teacher directed activities and self-initiated activities, as well as time for free play, quiet and active periods and outdoor playtime. The children experience being in small groups with similar age children, as well as larger age-integrated groups.

Our curriculum focuses on social-emotional readiness to build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge for success in Kindergarten and beyond. We strive to cultivate a love of learning in children, using their natural curiosity to engage in weekly themed units. Skills taught in our classrooms include fine and gross motor, language and literacy, dramatic play, music, gross motor, self-regulation, confidence and independence, pre-math and pre-reading.

UPSTAIRS: JUNIORS (AGES 2-3)

Our Juniors classroom (ages 2-3) hosts 14 children, with two Lead teachers and an Assistant, as well as support staff to ensure the lowest staff to child ratio possible. As children in this age group are experiencing rapid growth and emotional development, we strive to create a comfortable and stable environment, with a mix of structured and individual play based activities with a focus on social skills and independence (including potty training). Children participate in music and dance classes with our specialists on a bi-weekly basis.

Daily Schedule

7:00-9:00am                Arrival/individual activities
9:00-9:30am                Breakfast
9:30-10:30am              Outdoor playtime
10:30-11:30am            Group activities: Welcome circle and learning centers
11:30am-12:00pm       Lunch
12:00-2:30pm              Nap/rest time
2:30-3:15pm                Snack and Stories
3:15-4:15pm                Outdoor playtime
4:15-6:00pm                Individual activities/departure (snack provided at 5pm)

DOWNSTAIRS: PRESCHOOL (AGES 4-5)

The Preschool classroom (ages 4-5) hosts 20 children, with two Leads and an Assistant. Our Preschool curriculum focuses on learning and development activities to ensure children are well prepared to enter full time kindergarten. Monthly education themes as well as weekly concepts are taught to the students through a mix of group lessons and individual activity centers that the children choose to participate in. Children participate in French class twice a week, as well as dance and music classes with our specialists on a bi-weekly basis.

Field Trips provide hands-on learning experiences for our Preschool Children. The students go to the NE Seattle Library for monthly story time, as well as special field trips throughout the year. Past and Future field trips include the Seattle Children’s Theater, Fire Station, Farm, Burke Museum, Carkeek Park, Museum of Flight, Kids Science Labs, Seattle Art Museum, Pumpkin Patch, PNW Ballet, Center for Wooden Boats, Children’s Museum and Metropolitan Market,

Daily Schedule

7:00-9:00am             Arrival/individual activities
9:00-9:30am             Breakfast
9:30-9:45am             Welcoming Circle
9:45-11:00am           Learning Centers
11:00am-12:00pm    Outdoor playtime
12:15-12:45pm         Lunch
1:00-2:30pm            Rest/quiet time
2:30-3:30pm            Snack and Stories
3:30-4:15pm Small groups (math, literacy, art, science), Share Day! (F)
4:15-5:15pm             Outdoor time
4:15-6:00pm             Individual activities/departure (snack provided at 5pm)

OUTSIDE

Children play outside twice daily-rain or shine! We have a large sandbox, climber, bike path, playhouse, and natural play area. We also have a garden that the children enjoy planting in the fall and spring, tending their plants and watching them grow!