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Programs
CHDS offers 4 programs: Preschool One (P1), Preschool Two (P2), Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) and Pre-K/Kindergarten (Pre-K/K). Within each program there are 3 scheduling options ranging from 3 to 5 days per week:
- Option 1: Morning 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Option 2: Half Day 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Option 3: Full Day 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
CHDS offers both school year (10 months) and full year (school year + summer camp) options.
Daily Routine
A day in all of our classrooms at CHDS begins with a warm greeting and leads into a balance of free play and structured activities followed by a morning circle, healthy snack and project (based on the monthly curriculum). The children continue their morning with outside play and prepare for a nutritious lunch brought from home. After lunch, the children have a closing circle and the morning children say goodbye to their friends while half and full day children prepare for a quiet rest time. Following quiet / rest time, half day children are picked up while full day children engage in indoor/outdoor activities as a mixed-age group and prepare for their parents' arrival.
Preschool (ages 2.9-4 years)
Our preschool programs prepare children both socially/emotionally and cognitively for Pre-K and Pre-K/K by emphasizing listening, choice time and assessment while having fun! Our preschool teachers foster independence in small and whole group activities when introducing concepts such as letter and sound recognition using an integrated curriculum. All activities are designed to develop the children's skills and self confidence while still being engaging.
Pre-K & Pre-K/K (ages4-6)
The Pre-K and Pre-K/K curriculum is based on Piaget’s theory that a child’s curiosity drives his/her learning. Providing challenging, open-ended activities promotes cognitive learning and encourages children to think. Using an integrated curriculum, teachers concentrate on the following content areas:
- Reading and Literature - focusing on big books, guided/shared reading, and phonics/whole language;
- Writing - emphasizing drawing with text, inventive/conventional spelling and journal time;
- Math - exploring manipulatives, whole numbers, shapes, patterns, graphs and logical thinking/reasoning;
- Science - developing curiosith about things around us by observing, comparing, classifying, measuring and experimenting;
- Social Studies - understanding the importance of similarties and differences in areas of community, culture and history.
Our teachers supplement their rich curriculum using the Harcourt Trophies Language Arts Program, helping children develop a love of literature and prepare for the reading and writing challenges that they will face when they leave Happy Day.
Playground
To supplement our Preschool, Pre-K and Pre-K/K programs, CHDS is equipped with a large playground that allows the teachers to engage students in gross motor activities, including baseball, basketball, and parachute games. By using our structure, sandbox and three-car train, children are able to increase body awareness, balance and coordination, and spatial awareness while interacting with their peers. In addition to these activities, children work in our school garden, planting flowers, fruits and vegetables. Connecting with and understanding nature gives children a good sense for our environment and is one of the cornerstones of CHDS.
Summer Camp
The CHDS Summer Camp is a fun and educational seven week program during the months of July and August. Traditionally, the children are divided into two or three mixed age groups allowing children of different ages to interact. The Summer Program includes 3 of our most popular field trips of the year – a ride on the Swan Boats with a visit to the Boston Public Garden, Kite Day at the Millennium Park and exploring the Trailside Museum.
