Program activities

Each program starts with free play. A host of age-appropriate activities and materials are there for the children to choose: climbers, blocks, puzzles, art, playhouses, play dough, a miniature kitchen, dollhouse and castle, dress-up clothes, books and CDs plus a daily structured art project. The children are free to play in one or all of these areas.

Each week there is a programming theme (such as the seasons) which guides the selection of art projects and the choice of toys, books and puzzles available in the schoolroom. Free play is followed by a supervised snack, then a more structured period of group discussion (circle time). A variety of additional programming, including music and dance, are offered as a regular part of the program together with field trips, library outings and special visitors. All programs run from September through June, following the elementary school calendar.

Preschool Mornings

Preschool mornings are designed for children aged 2 to 5 years and run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. five days a week. Kindergarten aged children also enjoy a period of guided complementary kindergarten activities in a small group. Once a month parents are asked to spend a morning at the school to assist the teachers and to provide the daily snack.

Kindergarten enrichment program

The afternoon program runs from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Students are older (3.5 to 5 years of age) and the activities expand and complement those taught in the school curriculum. The low child-to-adult ratio allows the teachers to provide high levels of support, enabling each child to learn at his or her own pace. Parents provide a monthly snack but are not otherwise asked to assist.

Additional programs

Lunch program. A supervised lunch program is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for those children attending Bettye Hyde school in the afternoon after a morning at kindergarten. A chaperoned school bus pick up is offered for morning children attending kindergarten in the afternoon.

Early drop-off and late pick up

Children in the morning program can be dropped off as early as 8:30 a.m. and children in the afternoon program can be picked up as late as 5:00 p.m. No advance notice is required. Details of optional fees are available on the web-site.

Our staff

The Bettye Hyde programs are carefully planned by a team of qualified teachers with many years of training and experience. Children and parents benefit every day from their personal attention, enthusiasm and professional excellence.

How parents are involved

Bettye Hyde school is committed to providing parents with a hands-on experience.

Parents of children in the morning program spend one morning each month in the classroom, assisting the teachers and providing the snack.

All of the school’s families contribute to the fundraising efforts. The parent body organizes several fundraising activities each year including a spring yard sale. Parents are expected to attend and help with this important event. Funds raised are put into equipment purchases and school improvements.

Bettye Hyde is a non-profit organization, owned and operated by the students’ parents. Their regular contribution keeps costs and fees down and quality and spirit up. Parents with extra interest tackle the bigger jobs of executive positions and committee work, but there is a volunteer job for everyone.