Before & After School Program/Kdg. - Grade 6
Our school-age program provides an enriching environment for children 5 years through 12 years. The program foundation is based on a low teacher-child ratio of 1;10. We believe that this low ratio is necessary in order to provide the proper care and attention for this group.

For our school-age children, we have large spaces which are divided into well defined interest areas. Most importantly, our staff is dedicated to meeting the specific needs of school-age children. Many choices are built into a structured environment. Children decide what activity they wish to pursue.

Below is a snapshot of what our center looks like during a typical free-play period. Free play, our free choice time, is the core of our curriculum. Free choice works for the children because the planned interest areas, although changing often, provide structure.

Free choice time.. It is 4:30 pm. The children already have had an outdoor time, eaten snacks and have done their homework...

• Quiet Area: Reading books, listening to tapes, working on the computer
• Art Area: Cutting, pasting, painting, creating
• Game Area: Puzzles, game playing
• Home Area: Dress up, set up, office play area, home setting, school playing
• Block Area: Building and manipulating structures with large and small blocks
• Woodworking Area: Building, cutting, hammering, drilling
• Science Area: Animal watching, conducting experiements, planting
• Music & Dance Area: Dancing, singing

The Apple Tree school-age program includes children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Children are treated according to their developmental and individual needs. Nevertheless, mixed age grouping does prove enjoyable for the children. The older children can serve as helpers, friends and role models for the younger ones.

There are also times when children are age grouped for specific activities such as certain games, special art activities, science and other learning and problem solving projects.

Return to Our Programs.