The SHED program has 108 Kindergarten slots but actual numbers served are a function of the distribution throughout the week. Group sizes vary depending on the activity. When at full capacity, group size for most activities is 16 children with two teachers. The staff reflects a diversity of training and experience in early childhood education and childcare.

The program follows the Andover Public School calendar. SHED is closed during the summer, however summer camp is available, most holidays and Christmas vacation week. The program may be opened during February and April school vacation weeks, based on the needs of the current user group. It will remain open on snow days and in-service days.

SHED is located at 65 Phillips St. on Phillips Academy campus. The three classrooms are developmental in design and allow children to make decisions within defined limits. The classroom design includes the following areas: reading and group time, computer and listening, art, sensory, sand and water, science and writing, manipulatives, games, blocks or construction and a dramatic play area. Activities outside of these areas are also offered, such as cooking, sports, music, movement, and carpentry. Programming allows for free play and activity time, quiet time, snack and outdoor play.

A staff member is available to greet parents and chat informally at the beginning and end of each day. Parents are welcome to visit during program hours. Though it is not timely during drop-in visits to discuss the program, policy and program suggestions are encouraged. These can be called in to the Program Administrator or a message left in her office at SHED. The teaching staff offers conference time (at parent's request) for a more thorough discussion of a child's progress. This communication between parents and teachers is essential in creating a program that not only meets parents' needs but also provides an enriching and comfortable environment for the children.

For more information on the SHED program, please see SHED FAQ's. If you would like to receive further information, please call SHED at 978-623-8460

Philosophy
SHED is a warm and nurturing enrichment program, which will meet the social, emotional, cognitive and physical, needs of your Kindergarten-aged child. While respecting the individuality of your child's development, the program will foster a sense of community within the group, encourage learning among the children and enhance your child's emerging social skills.

The overall theme for this year is "Social Responsibility": learning to respect one another's similarities and differences, learning to respect each other's personal space and property, and learning manners and consideration for others. One of the main goals of the Kindergarten year is to foster your child's emerging self-help skills. SHED places great emphasis on problem solving, brainstorming possibilities and offering choice within limits to help children learn to make logical, acceptable choices and accept responsibility and consequences for those choices.

By keeping the teacher/child ratio as low as possible (1:8) and the grouping fairly consistent, we are able to meet the developmental needs of each child while encouraging a feeling of companionship among the children. We provide a comfortable, protected and familiar setting for the child - and at the same time are able to meet your needs for safe, accessible, affordable childcare.

SHED is the place where Learning and Curiosity meet Fun and Adventure!

1. To become increasingly autonomous
2. To have confidence in one's ability to solve problems
3. To feel secure in relationships with adults
4. To enjoy playing alone and/or with other children
5. To begin to coordinate different points of view by cooperating and resolving conflicts
6. To cope with fears, anxieties and frustrations constructively
7. To demonstrate persistence in completing a task

1. To express ideas through language and symbolic representations in effective and varied ways
2. To use initiative in pursuing curiosities
3. To put ideas or objects into relationships, noting similarities and differences
4. To come up with interesting and creative ideas, problems and questions

1. To build awareness of one's body in space
2. To coordinate fine and gross motor skills