Q. What are the phone numbers to the program?
A: Parents may call SHED and Springboard to Kindergarten at 978-623-8460. The Kid's Club number is 978-623-8462. The fax number for both programs is 978-623-8461. Payment and Schedule questions should be directed to Barbara Blanchette at 978-623-8460. If an urgent problem or concern arises and you need to contact Bette Lynch outside of the program hours, you may reach her at home at 978-470-3330. You could also call Sydney Bialo at 978-689-8640 in an emergency.

Q. Is SHED open during school vacations and holiday?
A: The SHED Program will be closed on all the major holidays and during the December school break. Families are not charged tuition for any of these days. If interest warrants (at least 12 children per day), SHED will remain open during the February and April vacation weeks. These days are not included in the tuition; an additional fee will be charged to those wishing to participate, which is payable in advance. A sign up sheet will be posted for those weeks. Families should be sure to sign up well in advance if they need coverage; if a minimum signs up is not obtained by a specified date; the program will not be open.

Q: Is SHED open during in-service, screening days and snow days?
A: When the Kindergarten teachers have an In-Service day, SHED is open for the entire day. The fee is not included in the tuition. Families must sign up in advance for the day.

One day in the spring, SHED will close for a SHED staff In-Service day. Along with other child care programs in the area; the SHED staff will participate in a variety of training workshops. According to EEC, teachers are required to receive 20 hours of training per year; this will satisfy 8 hours of that requirement. All other hours are fulfilled on teachers' own time.

The Kindergartens close for a few days in the fall for readiness screening. SHED is open on these days on a sign-up basis. This is not included in the tuition.

SHED is also open on SNOW DAYS (1 hour delay - open at 8:00 AM) when the public schools are closed. Snow days are not included in the tuition (the makeup day will be added at the end of the school year for which the family will not be charged). In the event of a snow emergency, if the weather report is for a major snowstorm or blizzard, if transportation is so difficult we cannot staff the program, or if the Town Offices close due to extreme weather, SHED will close also. If SHED closes a message will be recorded on the answering machine of the program. If the public schools close for 1/2 day due to weather, there is charge for the extra slot if a child stays for the time he/she is usually in Kindergarten. SHED reserves the right to close mid-day if the weather becomes treacherous.

Can I switch my schedule after I sign up for the SHED program?
A: You may change your schedule any time during the program if there is space available.

Q: What type of athletic/outdoor activities do you offer?
A: SHED offers children many forms of physical activities. We have a playground, a sports court, and a beautiful field where the children can play freely outside. We go outdoors daily and offer a mix of free play and teacher driven games and activities.

Q: What type of enrichment curriculum is offered at SHED?
A: SHED's enrichment curriculum is based on a theme presentation where the goal is to provide meaningful activities that stimulate thought and further questions. The themes have been configured to make the information meaningful to children so they can assimilate the new ideas into their existing banks of knowledge. SHED believes in following the child's lead with an emergent curriculum. SHED also uses Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences to plan curriculum. Each intelligence promotes overall development and encourages each individual to become more competent and invested in themselves as a whole. Instead of asking how SMART is the child, we ask ourselves HOW is the child smart – and build curriculum opportunities based on this awareness and on individual interests and aptitudes.

Q: What is a typical schedule for my child at SHED?
A: The children's time is broken up into blocks of free play and small group activities, allowing for development of both cognitive and social skills. The teacher's role will be to provide materials and structure so that while playing, the children will be strengthening these skills.

Kindergartners who attend AM Kindergarten and need care before Kindergarten attend Kid's Club Before School Program located at each elementary school.

Children attending SHED in the AM:
7:00 - 9:15
Arrival time and free choice from all the classroom areas with various planned activities to choose from.

9:15
Clean up time

9:20
Group time - children and teachers meet together to discuss the ongoing classroom theme and the morning's activities, play a game or sing songs.

9:50
Wash hands/snack time.

10:05
The groups break up into various areas of the classroom where the activity choices are integrated by theme. Each teacher works with a small group - choices may include art projects, language arts, drama, music and movement, cooking, woodworking, storytelling, science, estimation, measurement, etc.

11:00
Wash hands/lunch in the classrooms.

11:30
Children gather belongings and prepare to go to PM Kindergarten. Go outdoors to play, hear a story or play a game in the Kid's Club Great Room.

12:00
A SHED teacher walks the children to their buses.

Children attending SHED in the PM:
11: 30
Children arrive by bus from the neighborhood schools. Have free playtime in the SHED building.

12:15-12:45
Wash hands/lunch in the classrooms.

12:45 - 1:15
Free plays time: large motor activities, outside playtime, inside playtime, depending on the needs of the individuals and the weather.

1:15
Group time - children meet with their SHED teachers and discuss morning Kindergarten, ongoing classroom theme, and the afternoon's activities, play a game or sing songs.

1:30
The group divides into small groups for activities and projects (see morning schedule).

2:15
Wash hands/snack time/story.

2:30
Outside, reading, music and movement or free play depending on weather and group needs.

2:45
Parents pick up children who are leaving.

Children who stay for late afternoon and children who arrive after Full Day Kindergarten:

3:10 - 3:30
SHED teacher meets children as they return by bus from their neighborhood schools.

3:30 - 5:00
Outside time and other group activities. Children have full choice and use of all classroom materials, supplies and equipment

5:00 - 6:00
As the group size decreases, staff will close areas of the classrooms, taking their cues from the children on how to spend the remaining time (stories, plays, records, games, computer, puzzles etc.)

SHED closes at 6:00 P.M.