Free Play and Special Projects

Every day in Toddler and Pre-Nursery begins with Free Play. This is a time for the children to have the opportunity to either participate in special sensory/tactile projects or to participate in free play activities. These activities include play in our block and truck area, doll corner and loft area, imaginary play/dress up/kitchen area. In addition, the children can paint at our easels or play with puzzles, play dough, table games, crayons and small block manipulatives at the tables. Book reading is also encouraged during free play and a quiet reading area is available with soft pillows and stuffed animals. At the end of free play the children and teachers clean up the classroom together.

Circle Time

Once the children have cleaned up their classroom, they join their teachers at the circle rug for Circle Time. This is a time for songs, finger plays and group discussions. It is also the time when we learn about the days of the week, the weather, holidays and one another. This is a structured time, directed by the teachers.

Snack Time and Gym Time

After Circle Time is over one half of the children transition one-by-one to snack time and the other half spend "outdoor" play time in our therapeutic gym. For Snack the children are given a choice of water or apple juice and something healthy to eat. In the gym the children climb in the loft, go down the slide, ride scooters or engage in ball play. There is also a swing and sensory panels for the children to use with teacher assistance. Half way through this period the children in the gym have snack and the children having snack go to the gym.

Story Time

After Gym and Snack Time is over the children come back together in the classroom to get dressed for dismissal. This is a quiet time during which they hear a story read aloud by one of their teachers and are brought outside to a parent or caregiver one by one.

Toddler Programs (two half-days per week)

Mandell School for Toddlers offers a two half-day per week program for two year olds with both morning and afternoon session available. The morning session meets from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and the afternoon from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Both sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Pre-Nursery Programs (three half-days per week)

Mandell School for Toddlers offers a three half-day per week program for older 2 and 3 year olds. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available. The morning session meets from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and the afternoon session meets from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Both Sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Mandell School for Toddlers' Calendar

The school year runs from mid September through mid May and follows ISAAGNY framework of holidays. The Mandell School and the School for Toddlers follow the same calendar.

Conferences

Formal conferences for families in the Toddler and Pre-Nursery programs are held in early September, prior to the start of school and in early May. Individual conferences throughout the year are held regularly and are encouraged as communication between parents and teachers is a fundamental component of our philosophy.