A day at Toddle
From the gate to pickup
The same shape every day, with the weather deciding the details.
- 01Early morning
Step 1: Arrival at the gate
A teacher meets each child and family at the gate. Coats go on hooks, boots go on feet, and the group heads out together.
- 02Mid-morning
Step 2: Time outside
The first long stretch: the yard, the garden beds, the mud kitchen or the path along the trees.
- 03Late morning
Step 3: Snack
A snack at the picnic table, or on a blanket in the shade, or in the warm room when it's cold.
- 04Midday
Step 4: Lunch and rest
Lunch from home, then rest indoors, each child on their own cot, with a teacher in the room.
- 05Afternoon
Step 5: Outside again
A second stretch outdoors, quieter after the rest: stories under the oaks, planting, a walk.
- 06Late afternoon
Step 6: Pickup at the gate
Children are handed back at the gate to the people on your list.
The lot
A yard, a garden and a path along the trees
Toddle sits on a rural lot with room to move.
When it's too cold, icy or smoky to stay out, the day moves indoors to a warm room with low shelves and a rug, and the group goes out again when it can. Weather decisions are made each morning by the director.
A fenced yard with a sandbox and a low climbing frame
Raised garden beds and a mud kitchen
A path along the tree line for walks
A warm indoor room for rest and bad-weather hours
What goes on the hooks
What to wear and bring
Every child keeps a full spare set of clothes on their hook, in every season.
Spring and fall
Rain boots, rain pants, a rain jacket and a fleece.
Boots that go on without help
A hat for wind
Extra socks
Summer
Light layers, a sun hat and closed-toe shoes.
A water bottle with a lid
A change of clothes for the water table
Sunscreen put on at home
Winter
Snow pants, a warm coat, boots, mittens and a hat.
Two pairs of mittens
A neck warmer instead of a scarf
Wool socks
See it for yourself
Come in the morning, in your boots.