Welcome to Creative Daycare, the best Richmond daycare where every day is carefully planned, friendly, and nurturing. If you’re curious about how a typical day here goes — from morning drop-off to afternoon nap time — here’s a behind-the-scenes look, particularly for parents considering our “drop in infant care” option.
Morning Arrival & Free Learning Time (7:30 am – 9:30 am)
Our doors open at 7:30 a.m., and parents can drop off their children anytime until 10:30 a.m., depending on their requirements. When children arrive, they are greeted by our loving educators, who help them settle in with soft greetings, familiar faces, and a quiet activity space.
During this time, children engage in open learning / free play, which includes investigating sensory items, puzzles, manipulatives, and painting supplies. This unstructured period helps children to warm up for the day, choose what interests them, and begin in a comfortable manner.
Morning Circle, Theme Activity & Outdoor Play (9:30 am – 11:30 am)
Once the majority of the children have come, we gather for circle time, which includes songs, tales, and a group discussion about our weekly or daily theme. We use our emergent curriculum to link those themes with the interests of the students.
After circle time, the children are divided into small groups for theme-based activities like experiments, art projects, sensory tables, or Montessori exercises.
Then we go outside or to the gym for vigorous play. Physical movement is an important part of our day; rain or shine, we strive for at least an hour of outdoor or gross motor activities (using playgrounds, scarves, balls, obstacle courses, and so on).
The snack break occurs in the middle of the morning, providing youngsters with a peaceful, calm opportunity to rest and replenish.
Midday: Lunch & Nap Time (11:30 am – 1:30 pm)
Children assemble for a communal lunch, which includes nutritious, marked meals brought from home. After lunch, we switch to nap time / rest period. All children are given downtime; those who sleep are encouraged to stick to a relaxing pattern of reading or gentle music.
Children who remain awake are softly monitored so as not to disrupt others.
Afternoon: Learning, Art, & Outdoor Fun (1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
After rest, we begin with bathroom routines, followed by planned learning blocks that include sensorial, linguistic, numeracy, cultural, and practical life activities adapted to the children’s developmental stages.
A snack is followed by art/creative time, which can include painting, nature art, storytelling, felt boards, or themed crafts.
By mid-afternoon, the children return for group storytelling, songs, or circle time, which concludes the day’s learning.
Late Afternoon & Pick-Up (4:30 pm – 6:00 pm)
As the day ends, youngsters return to the outdoors or engage in relaxing inside activities such as puzzles or reading.
Parents often pick up between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Educators provide brief recaps of what your kid did, learned, or liked throughout the day.
A note: If your child is on our drop-in baby care plan, their day will follow a similar pattern, but with more personalized attention, flexible transitions, and mild adjustments to feeding or sleeping needs. When space allows, we accept drop-in care – parents can phone for an empty slot, but a tour and registration are required first.
Safety, Health & Routine
- We follow strict health and safety measures, such as disinfecting surfaces, washing toys, checking temperatures, and washing our hands frequently.
- Because of COVID-19 precautions, parents drop off children at the door and do not wait in the entrance area. Visitor screening is completed.
- Our personnel are trained in early childhood education, and we fully adhere to licensing and inspection regulations.
What You Can Expect as a Parent
- Transparent daily communication and updates on your child’s development, meals, naps, and mood.
- A monthly theme calendar and activity summary.
- Flexibility: While we do offer full-time schedules, our drop-in infant care option allows families greater flexibility on occasion.
- A consistent routine combined with open play, planned learning, and chances for exercise and rest.
We hope this provides you a clear image of a typical day at Creative Daycare. If you are looking for childcare in Richmond or need more information, particularly regarding Richmond daycare choices or drop in infant care, please contact us or schedule a tour. We’re delighted to welcome you and your child to our community.