Where The Love of Learning Begins

Children learn about the world around them through active exploration and play. Our programs are designed to meet the unique developmental needs of the age group they serve. With twelve teachers, a music specialist, and three administrators on the premises throughout the morning program, our average teacher-to-child ratio of 1 to 4.5 ensures that your child’s interests are stimulated, their needs are met and their questions are quickly addressed.

At Spruce, we believe that children proceed along a predictable path at a somewhat unpredictable rate. While there are broad developmental goals for each age grouping, in general, development during early childhood is fluid and children fall along the developmental continuum in different places at different times.

Teachers design a curriculum that addresses social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language goals and is creative, engaging, and fun. Each morning our day starts with all-school free play, where children learn from, and with, children both older and younger than themselves. With an awareness of individual strengths and interests, teachers develop a curriculum to honor and explore each child's potential. Classrooms are designed to offer many opportunities for a child to learn at his or her own pace. Art, music, and children's literature are essential elements of our program. Concepts and skills presented are developmentally appropriate and expanded upon through both structured activities and imaginative play.

Sample Schedule

8:30-9:00: Arrival
8:30-9:30: Mixed Age Free Play
9:30-9:45: Morning Meeting
9:45-10:00: Snack
10:00-10:15: Books and Puzzles
10:15-10:30: Project Meeting
10:30-11:00: Project
11:00-12:00: Play Outside
12:00-12:30: Lunch
12:30-12:50: Journals
12:50-1:00: Goodbye Meeting

At Spruce, we have a music specialist who comes to sing, dance, and engage with the children twice weekly. Each class has music for a half hour on Mondays and Thursdays.

For additional information about each class, please see the descriptions below.

Our school.

A Small School

We accommodate a maximum of 49 children at any given time. In addition to the classroom teachers listed below, we have a Float Teacher and a Music Specialist.

Hours

Each day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 1:00 pm, with the possibility of Early Arrival from 7:30 am, Stay & Play Day or Afternoon Enrichment until 3:30 pm, and Late Day until 4:30 or 5:30 pm.

The Acorns

The Acorn room is a warm and welcoming place, where teachers encourage first friendships with gentle guidance. Language development is enhanced through stories, songs and conversation with teachers and peers. Colors, letters, and numbers are introduced gradually through play. Books are read throughout the day, and each child keeps a journal of their early drawings. A climbing structure is ever-present in the classroom, and the Acorns play outside on the Spruce playground daily.

2.0 - 2.9 years

MWF or TTh

9 students, 3 teachers

The Willows

In the Willow room, lessons are planned along thematic units developed from the interests of the children. Children's knowledge is increased through hands-on projects, while fundamental pre-reading and pre-math concepts are integrated. Each child keeps a journal with drawings and the child's words carefully transcribed. Through play, active inquiry and teacher-initiated activities, children develop self-esteem while gaining important social, cognitive and physical skills.

2.10 - Young 3s

3, 4, or 5 days

16 students, 3 teachers

The Maples

The Maple curriculum introduces a broad range of topics with an emphasis on integrating pre-academic skills. Thematic units are developed from the children's ideas as well as from the teacher's goals. The Maples work both cooperatively and independently in their process of discovery; meeting becomes a time for listening, sharing and discovering more. Through guided inquiry, planned activities, and dramatic play, each child's sense of themselves as a good friend and competent learner develops.

Mid 3s - Early 4s

3, 4, or 5 days

12 students, 2 teachers

The Oaks

The Oak class introduces key concepts while prioritizing active learning. Journals are integral to each day, encouraging emerging literacy through transcribing the children's increasingly complex stories. Letter sound associations are reinforced through letter of the week, and simple equations are solved with hands on counters. In the Oak classroom, children have the opportunity to explore topics and themes in increasing depth as well as pursue their own areas of interest.

Pre-Kindergarten

5 days only