At-A-Glance

Each classroom is facilitated by a team of two Co-Lead Teachers. Additionally the toddler and young preschool classroom teaching teams also include a Resident Teacher. Teaching teams are aided by our Classroom Support Teachers who rotate amongst the classrooms on an as needed basis. 

This team teaching approach supports consistency in our classrooms and allows for coverage by familiar teachers during team and individual planning times, lunches, and other necessary teacher absences. 

Our Extended Day Program (EDP) is designed and facilitated by our Special Programs Team which includes two Special Programs Managers, two Classroom Support Teachers, and up to four additional EDP staff members.

The Infant-Toddler program is a full-day, 5 days per week (M-F) program. The school day runs from 8:15 am through 3:00 pm, with the option of adding extended care before the school day (7:30-8:15 am)  and/or after (3:00-5:30 pm) for an additional fee. Students in the infant/waddler room start by following an individualized schedule which evolves towards a shared schedule as children reach their first birthday. Students in the toddler and young preschool classroom follow a group schedule that includes shared meal times and a single group nap/rest time. 

Our goal is the overall health of every UCDS student. We offer two nutritious snacks each day—one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. We aim to offer a diverse snack menu that changes throughout the year, touches on a range of taste profiles and balances new foods with familiar foods we know children enjoy. Snacks are served family-style and feature a wide variety of foods, including organic fruits and vegetables, nitrate-free sandwich meat and organic milk. We work in partnership with parents to address specific dietary needs and sensitivities. 

Lunch is brought from home and should include a dairy product or dairy alternative, a meat product or meat alternative, a grain product, and fruits/vegetables. For toddler and preschool classroom students, families may enroll in a school lunch program provided by an outside vendor. This is a contracted service, not a service run by UCDS.

The Infant-Toddler program offers a Morning EDP option for families who need an earlier drop-off time. Families enrolled in Morning EDP may drop-off in their child’s classroom anytime between 7:30-8:15 am. Morning EDP is available on all regular school days. 

Afternoon EDP is available on all regular school days from 3:0-5:30 pm, with the exception of Studio Staff Meeting days (The first Friday of each month) and the Friday before major school breaks.

Afternoon EDP is designed and facilitated by our Special Programs team. Each day offers a range of structured activities, open-ended play experiences, and extended outside time.