A day in the life

For all those who have ever wondered what a morning in the life of a pre-school teacher might be like, here’s your chance for a first-hand glimpse into the glamour, drama and joy of an early childhood educator.



8:15 Arrive at the school.

Prepare craft supplies and materials for the day. Remember that you forgot to buy more pipe cleaners. Change the craft. Use toilet paper rolls instead. Plenty of those.



8:30 Earlybirds arrive.

Start recording time of each arrival (Department of Community Services requirement).

Greet parents and children. Help with shoes and coats. Find extra slippers for those who forgot footwear.



8:45-9 Students arrive, one by one.

Some race in happily and begin to play. Another clings to her parent’s neck and has to be pried off. Crying stops the minute the parent leaves and child runs to play and laugh with the others. Poor parents feel guilty all morning.



9-10:30 Free play time and crafts.

Wipe noses and remind children to cover their mouths when they cough.

Guide, teach, play, facilitate, wipe more noses, role model, direct, answer phones, wipe a bottom, remind about the rules, educate, kiss, hug, change a diaper, joke, share, remind children that hands are for helping, glue, paint, cut, write names, teach some more.

Ring bell for monthly fire drill. (Fire Inspection requirement). Count heads, time how many minutes it took to evacuate and assure children there is no fire.



10:30-11 Clean-up, rest and snack time.

Help children put away toys (put away most myself), distribute rest mats, prepare snack.

Child complains he’s too tired to clean up. He is told he can rest after everything is cleaned up.

Classical music and rest time. Fidgeting, chatting and giggling during rest.

Wash hands. Monitor soap and paper towel quantities. It’s fun pumping the soap and sometimes those paper towels just won’t break off one at a time.

Distribute apple juice and Arrowroot cookies. Mop up spilled juice. Retrieve cookie from floor and discard. More juice. Another cookie.

Check the calendar. What’s the weather? “Sunny!� What day is it? “Fall!� What’s the season? “Monday!�



11 Circle Time

Play games, do activities, be a good listener, visit the bathroom, take turns, learn to cooperate, separate a few, put a few together.



11:15 Storytime

Read one or two stories. Encourage participation. Be good listeners. Wipe a nose. Mend a book. Tell me after the story.



11:30 Music

Singing, rhythm band, finger plays. The best part is the kids don’t even notice that teacher can’t sing!



11:45 Gross Motor Play

Slides, trucks, balls, tunnels, bowling, riding, rocking and more. Noise level escalates.



12 Pick-up

Stuff crafts into cubbies. Search for lost dinky car. Have a hug. Tears for those who aren’t ready to leave.

“Teacher?�

“Yes, honey?�

“I love you!�

The morning has been worthwhile, for children and teacher alike.



Now ... wash hands, sweep floor, wipe spills, disinfect toilet, plan curriculum and prepare for the next day, finish paperwork, wash dishes in three sinks (Department of Health requirement), sanitize toys, wash hands again, then have that long-awaited cup of green tea with mint.

Tomorrow’s another day.



Lila Hope-Simpson is the Director of the Home and Heart Nursery School in Wolfville