If man is to live, he must be all alive, body, mind, heart, spirit – Thomas Merton

Gatherings at Little Green Heron starting in October one Saturday a month will be announced by Thursday this Week.  October ( Wigwam making and Outdoor Cooking) and November ( Nuture Heart Approach with Jamie Gregory),  December (Winter nature crafts and woodworking) with cider and chili.

Coming up:  Mom and daughter ( ages 4 to 10) camping will also start once a month at LGH's outdoor area.  Please contact me if interested for more information.

First week at Little Green Heron:

We introduced ourselves to the space and created our lunches on Wednesday.  We did a lot of water play outside in our water table and in the creek.  It is always fun to bring dramatic play outdoors and being fairies was one of favorite activities.

This week at Little Green Heron we will be exploring the world of hideouts made out of natural materials.  One of the books that we will be using is Henry Builds a Cabin (3-7) starting on Wednesday.  We will start with collecting sticks tomorrow of all shapes and sizes measuring them and then create a plan for our hideouts ... even a place for the little ones is going to be discussed.

Also we will be looking for signs of fall and creating personal nature flags hung over the creek.

Go to the Children and Nature Network's Where Nature Meets Story to get ideas for to connect to nature through literature at your local library.  Also the Conservation Library in Shepherdstown, WV Connecting Children to Nature Through American Literature: 1890 - Today.  New discussions will be starting on this blog about Thorton Burgess again soon.

I am excited to introduce a new teacher to our Little Green heron community 2 days a week, Anne Sabatos - Young ( MA in Education) she has worked in the public schools for over 10 years and has a strong Environmental Education working in the tri state area. I have had the pleasure of knowing Anne for over 12 years and know the children will fall in love with her.

Gena Rockwell will also be joining us for yoga  and music a couple of times a month when available.  She is an instructor at Harmony Healing and Arts and Jala Yoga in Shepherdstown, WV and a musician as well.

Marigold and rain painting - River age -3 yrs

New article about slow parenting for children K - 12 is located in the articles and information section of this blog.  Please check it out if you have time.  Thank you and have a beautiful day !

An organic breakfast, snack, and lunch is provided everyday. 

We encourage families to come and share a meal they like to prepare at home at the beginning of the school year.

Cooking at LGH :)

Here at Little Green Heron I am giving children the opportunity to create their own lunch at least once a week from local fruits and vegetables and organic items from our markets.

Example :  8/14/12

• Breakfast:  Oatmeal with raisins and Almond milk

• Snack:  Grapes

• Lunch:  Heirloom tomato pizza with rice or mozzerella cheese - salad and corn on the side

Now enrolling - NEW ! as of September 2nd 2012

One slot open for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Half day ($50) or Full Days ( $120).  Please send me a message on Facebook or email.  Thanks - Jan


There is a change for the half day program times - Pick up for your child is between 12:30 - 1 pm due to nap schedules.  Sorry for the inconvience we want our little ones to get rest to grow and with lots of confusion going on before can be disrupting.

 

" Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.” – John Muir

ENROLLING NOW !

Starting August 6th at Nedmonton Road Martinsburg, WV, Little Green Heron Dayschool run by Jan Hummer a 12 year resident of the area will be open to the community. Little Green Heron is a contemplative nature - based day school for children 6 weeks to 5 years. There is an option for part time and full day slots. At this time the day school will only have 6 openings this year so places will go quickly.  Look below for rates and specials.  I am looking for families that want to stay in this community for at least 1.5 years so we can grow together. Also accepting a child living with special needs.

Within my home I cultivate a safe and nurturing environment in which children are able to learn how to help each other through daily activities which include cleaning up, caring for the garden, reading, food preparation, and of course play. We will be outdoors most of the time, at Little Green Heron we are lucky have many shady spots on the property during the summer and will be exploring all the seasons through play.

Little Green Heron creek for exploration

The outdoor space at Little Green Heron Day school is a place where children can create a lifelong relationship with the natural world through their heart, mind, and spirit. 

 “Nature experiences presented to young children are not intended to be stepping stones to scientific concepts.  They are meant to be enjoyed for their own sake.  What children learn and later apply to their science courses has only a remote connection with what they are experiencing at the moment.  To insist on anticipating the disciplines of tomorrow may spoil the joy of today’s experience.” – Janet Nickelsburg    

We have an organic gardening area, creek exploration, sand pit, digging area, and much more to be created over the year, please come and join the journey!

How I am being eco – friendly at my home

v  Tile for flooring

v  Corn carpets versus traditional carpeting to eliminate off-gassing

v  Non-toxic, natural cleaners,  and soaps

v  The use of compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) and natural light

v   Energy efficient windows

v  Composting to re-use garden and lunch/ snack waste  

v  Organic gardens

v  Working on introducing a rain garden  

v   In September 2012 a rain barrel will be introduced to conserve water  for water play and gardening

v  Edible children's garden

v  And of course RECYCLING !

In the next month I am applying to become a National Certified Backyard Habitat through NWF.

 After Labor Day ! - Some of activities that will be provided throughout the year will be music, library time, yoga, and art classes with teachers from the Shepherdstown and Martinsburg community.



Organic snacks, drinks, and meals will provided by myself.  We will be eating lots of fruits and veggies throughout the day.  Gluten and dairy free items are available upon request :)  Also children will cook at least once a week with assistance and will set the table daily.

Prices/Hours - Every family gets one free week of care within a twelve month period. 

I will also be offering throughout the year Parent's Night Out in my home if you are a regular family.  Weekend evenings are available if given enough advanced notice for a resonable rate.

 

Full Time Prices

Infant/Young Toddler (0 - 2 years)

·       Monthly - $720.00

·         Weekly - $180.00

 

Older Toddler/Preschooler (2 years +)

·         Monthly - $680.00

·         Weekly - $170.00

 

Full Day (7:30am - 5:30pm)

·         1 Day per Week - $40

·         2 Day per Week - $80

·         3 Day per Week - $120

·         4 Day per Week - $160

 

Half Day (7:30am - PICK UP Between 12:30 - 1 pm :)

·         1 Day per Week - $30

·         2 Day per Week - $50

·         3 Day per Week - $70

·         4 Day per Week - $ 90

·         5 Day per Week - $ 110

Contact: Jan Hummer at janhummer@hotmail.com or 3048395128 for more information

(Little Green Heron is a licensed daycare)