Afternoon Program at Sunbeam, ages 3-9

Afternoon Nature Play Program and Extended Care meets weekday afternoons Monday through Thursday, 12:45 - 4:45pm* (okay to come for 2 hours; price is halved for a two-hour day)

Here is an example of a typical daily flow:

12:45 - 1:00pm Getting settled/quiet play and self-care (toileting, hand cleaning etc)

1:30pm - Circle: Singing good afternoon, breathing exercises, story books, transitioning younger children to quiet time on mats and in pop-up tents

2:00 - (for non-resters) Open Play, Tinkering, Mud Kitchen

3:00 - Toileting, Handwashing, Snack

3:40 - Hike to Oak Tree: invitation to try "Sit Spot", quiet or active play depending on what kids need.

4:30 - Head down to gathering area, collect things and be ready for pick-up

4:45 - Pickup time

We prioritize child-directed play and imagination! We invite children to learn about plants and care for the animals we have on site. We do this via modeling and exposure; directed teaching at Sunbeam is consensual. We offer children a safe space to be themselves, relax, play with friends, and move their bodies. Children can climb the oak tree, play in the mud kitchen, cook from the garden, tend animals, and create with tinkering and visual art materials. Children are invited to rest quietly via a "sit spot" meditative activity in which they just listen to the nature around them. Typically, our afternoon kids choose to run and climb and engage in imaginative play and storytelling, which we fully support!