Kay School offers full-day programs for children ages two-and-a-half through kindergarten (8:30 am to 3:00 pm), a half-day option (8:45 – 11:45 am) for the younger children, and an extended before and after school program for children through middle school (6:30 – 8:30 am and 3:00 – 6:30 pm). Parent-Child classes and a range of enrichment programs are also provided. The School is open year-round, except for certain federal and school holidays.
School Facilities include a 7,600 square foot barn which was rehabilitated specifically as a child development center. It has six large, well-equipped classrooms that provide comfortable, well lit, and abundant space for child-centered activities. A large, well-equipped playground and nearby treed and park areas provide ample opportunities for outdoor study and play.
Our project-based, integrated curriculum offers science exploration, block building, visual arts, story dramatization, music and movement, manipulatives, dramatic play, and small group work in language arts and math. It encourages a relationship between teacher and student that embraces the innate curiosity and rich potential of each child. Classes are small to enable small group activities, individualized attention, and supervised play. For older children in the after school program, homework and tutoring support are provided as well as a variety of enrichment activities.
Play and exploration are powerful learning tools and are actively promoted. Children are encouraged to ask questions, express their ideas, and explore ways to act on them. Attention is given to interactions with peers and developing collaboration skills: listening, taking turns, and respecting peers who are sharing ideas or expressing feelings.
Outdoor play is an integral part of the overall program on a well-equipped playground with climbing equipment, swings, ball play, tricycles and a large sandbox. Additionally, each week the classes go on nature walks where the children use all their senses to explore nature. This time is used to experience the world around them, observing, recording, sketching and drawing, and learning about plants and insects.
Healthy practices. The school offers healthy, sugar-free snacks, with an emphasis on organic produce. Lunches are brought from home, and the school requests that sugary and heavily processed foods be excluded. Organic milk is provided by the school.
Our before and after school program incorporates a variety of enrichment activities appropriate for each of the age groups that attend, as well as ample opportunities for outdoor play or quiet reading and homework preparation time.
A two-month summer program (July and August) also incorporates enrichment activities together with field trips and a range of sports and arts options.