Early Childhood Program

Ages 2 yrs – 2 yrs 11 months

• Group size: 11 
• Ratio: 1:3

Sample Schedule: 

8:30 to 9:00 – Arrival

9:00 to 11:30 – Play and exploration, inside & outside

11:30 to 12:00 – Lunch

12:00 to 12:30 – Clean up and transition to nap

12:30 to 2:30 – Nap

2:30 to 3:00 – Transition to dismissal

3:00 to 3:10 – Dismissal

2 yrs 7 months – 5 yrs

• Group size: 20 to 24 
• Ratio: 1:7, 1:8

Sample Schedule:

8:30 to 9:00 – Arrival

9:00 to 12:00 – Guided activities and play, inside & outside

12:00 to 12:30 – Lunch

12:30 to 1:00 – Clean up and transition to nap

1:00 to 2:30 – Nap & afternoon enrichment

2:30 to 2:55 – Transition to dismissal

2:55 to 3:05 – Dismissal

Children turning 5 in the first months of the school year.

• Group size: up to 20
• Ratio: 1:10

Schedule:

8:30 to 9:00 – Arrival

9:00 to 11:30 – Guided activities and play, inside & outside

11:30 to 12:00 – Lunch

12:00 to 2:30 – Quiet time and afternoon enrichment

2:30 to 2:45 – Transition to dismissal

2:45 to 2:55 – Dismissal

Available Monday-Friday to children 2 years 7 months or older.

Runs from 3:00 – 5:30 pm.

This program can be an add on to our standard day contract or utilized on a drop-in basis

• Group size: about 40-50 
• Ratio: 1:10
• Schedule: 

Sample Schedule

3:00 to 3:15 – Community Gathering

3:15 to 5:00 – Free choice, exploration, and play outside, snack offering 

5:00 – 5:30 – Transition to end of day with read aloud 

5:30 – Last Pick Up

Offers full-day enrichment, play and learning for ages 2.7 years to 5.

Each session is themed, and teachers provide fun activities that follow the children’s interests such as cooking, art, music, movement, and plenty of outdoor play. Extended Day add-on available from 3:00p to 5:00p

• Group size: about 40-50 
• Ratio: 1:10
• Schedule: 

Sample Schedule

8:30 Drop Off

9:00a Morning Circle

9:15a Choice Time

snack, art project, sandbox,

movement, free play

11:30a Lunch

12:00p Quiet Rest/Nap

1:30 Outside Activities

2:30p Closing circle

Children at this developmental stage are playful, curious, and rapidly gaining independence. The “Caterpillar Class” at the Berkeley School is tailored to the unique developmental needs of two-year-old children, offering a gentle onramp to preschool.

The TBS Caterpillar program provides an intentionally designed, sensory rich first school experience with ample opportunities to explore, experiment, and play in our beautiful indoor and outdoor classroom space. Time and support to solidify toileting and practice other emerging self-care skills. A small group size and low child-to-teacher ratio that meets the unique caregiving and social emotional needs of two-year-olds. A developmentally attuned environment centered on respect for the child with a blended curriculum based on play and exploration, inspired by the Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches.

Known as Magnolia, Cedar, and Live Oak

Children at this developmental stage are increasingly social, gaining skills, and coming into their individual identities as they grow through the preschool years.

Our 3’s and 4’s program is based on the premise that young children flourish with gentle guidance and the freedom to work at their own pace. Our mixed age classrooms are designed to support this broad range of growth, and children may spend either 1 or 2 years in the mixed age classroom.

Through a blend of Montessori, play-based, process-focused, and Reggio Emilia pedagogies, our indoor/outdoor classroom environment invites children to learn through sensorial experiences, practical life works, art-making, language exploration, inquiry, wonder, and play. Our early childhood faculty have a deep understanding of early childhood development and create inspiring, intentionally designed learning spaces that meet the needs of a range of ages and styles.

Children at this developmental stage are social, curious, and eager for new challenges. The Mariposa Class at the Berkeley School is tailored to the unique developmental needs of four- and five- year-old children through the culmination of their preschool experience.

Through a blend of Montessori, play-based, process-focused, and Reggio Emilia pedagogies, our indoor/outdoor classroom environment invites children to learn through sensorial experiences, practical life works, art-making, language exploration, inquiry, wonder, and play. Activities are specifically geared toward the needs and abilities of older preschoolers as they grow in confidence, independence and self-regulation.

Our outdoor environment, a certified wildlife habitat, is intentionally designed to offer a range of opportunities to learn and explore. Each classroom uses the outdoor space throughout the day. Children dig in the sandbox, mix in the mud kitchen, race around on the bike path, climb trees, and chase butterflies around the garden.