Our Curriculum and Programs

Our child-centered curriculum is rooted in children’s interests, ideas, and abilities. We create meaningful learning experiences by weaving together observations and documentation of children’s play, the rhythms and occurrences in the natural world, and the skills and benchmarks outlined in the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards. The curriculum emerges and evolves as our children‘s interests and curiosities unfold. Through play, children explore and develop cognitive, social, emotional, creative, and physical skills. Language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts are integrated into our learning environments and experiences.

Full Day Preschool Program, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Please note that children applying for preschool must be at least 3 years old by December 31 of the year they are applying for.

Tuition for Full Day Preschool is based on a sliding scale fee determined by family income. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided.

South Group – 3 year olds
The South Group is the smallest group at Leila Day, with twelve children, three teachers, and an afternoon assistant. The children are in South for the school year and then move as a group into the East Class, where they stay for the following year as four year olds.

East Group – 4 year olds
New four year olds join the children coming from the South Class and spend a year together before moving on to Kindergarten. The group numbers sixteen children with three teachers and an afternoon assistant.

North Group – Mixed-Age Group: 3 and 4 year olds
Children can enter the North Group at age three or four. The three year olds in this group stay for two years. If there are openings, children can also join the group as four year olds and stay for a year before moving on to Kindergarten. There are sixteen children in this mixed-age group with three teachers and an afternoon assistant.

Part Day Preschool Program, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Please note that children applying for preschool must be at least 3 years old by December 31 of the year they are applying for.

Tuition for our Part Day Preschool program is based on the number of mornings per week. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Overview

The Part Day Program is a mixed-age group. Children enter at age three or four with the options of three to five mornings a week. There are no more than sixteen children on any day in the program with up to three teachers.

Full Day Kindergarten Program, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Our Kindergarten program is open to all children turning 5 years old after August 30th of the year they are applying for.

Tuition for Full Day Kindergarten is based on a sliding scale fee determined by family income. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. There are up to eighteen children in the class with three teachers and one part-time assistant.

Overview

Balance is the common thread running through each aspect of kindergarten at Leila Day. Leila Day’s tradition of exploratory learning is naturally integrated into the academic rigor which helps prepare the children for their future educational experiences. Kindergarten at Leila Day promotes growth and development by motivating children to take control of their own learning. Children are encouraged to take risks and step outside of their comfort zone which helps foster independence and confidence inside and outside of the classroom.

Our indoor and outdoor learning environments are hives of activity where curiosity and discovery are consistently present. Hands on learning and one on one time with children are achieved because of the low teacher to child ratio. We offer a broad range of joyful experiences to enhance personal growth, self-expression, social awareness and cognitive exploration. These include an art, building, dramatic play, music and movement, science explorations, mathematical thinking, cooking, reading, creative writing, and a thematic study of communities that includes many local walking field trips. Our kindergarten teachers use Wilson Fundations, a research-based program for literacy instruction. Fundations makes reading fun, while helping children develop critical foundational literacy skills.

Exploratory learning is encouraged on a daily basis. Children are always uncovering new interests, which provide opportunities for whole group observations and investigations. We believe in supporting the whole child, and teach balance through rest time, that includes individual reflection and guided meditation. Children learn to identify feelings and become aware of their responses to their thoughts and emotions. We value rich relationships between all members of our community and encourage children to view their teachers as partners. Children are encouraged to independently problem solve and resolve conflicts; yet they know to ask for help from a teacher if they need support. Our goal is create a kindergarten experience where children can wonder, explore, and grow as members of a thoughtful and kind community.

Full Day Kindergarten Program, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Our Kindergarten program is open to all children turning 5 years old after August 30th of the year they are applying for.

Tuition for Full Day Kindergarten is based on a sliding scale fee determined by family income. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided. There are up to eighteen children in the class with three teachers and one part-time assistant.

Leila Day Kindergarten: Where Adventure Meets Learning

At Leila Day, kindergarten is more than a classroom—it’s an adventure! Our program, designed for children aged 4 to 6, offers the perfect blend of fun, exploration, and learning. With a small teacher-to-child ratio, your child receives the individualized attention they need to thrive while enjoying the freedom to explore, create, and discover in exciting ways. Every day is a new journey in our nature-based, play-driven, and project-centered environment.

Nature as the Ultimate Playground
Imagine a kindergarten where the outdoors is an extension of the classroom. At Leila Day, your child will spend their days climbing rocks, building forts, searching for wildlife, and exploring the wonders of nature. Whether it’s a hike through East Rock Park or a hands-on project inspired by their surroundings, our program turns curiosity into action. Through these daily outdoor adventures, children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Learning Through Play and Projects
Play is at the heart of everything we do. Our classrooms—both indoors and out—are designed to inspire creativity and collaboration. Each child receives personalized guidance while leading their own learning. Children engage in imaginative play, build with natural materials, and dive into long-term, project-based investigations. Whether they’re creating maps, crafting stories, or conducting science experiments, every project helps develop essential skills in math, literacy, critical and creative thinking.

Preparing for Their Next Steps
While we focus on play and exploration, our program is carefully structured to ensure children develop the skills they need for future success. With individualized attention, collaborative work, and thoughtful projects, children gain a strong foundation in reading, writing, math, and social skills. By the time they graduate from Leila Day, our kindergarteners are confident, curious learners ready for their next steps—whether that’s another year of kindergarten or first grade your child will be ready to seize every opportunity and face every challenge as a spur to learning and growth.

Mindfulness and Community
We also know that balance is key. Alongside active play and project time, we incorporate moments of calm through mindfulness practices, reflection, brain breaks, sit spots, and quiet time. Children learn to manage their emotions and become more in tune with themselves and others. Our small, close-knit community fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork, where every child feels supported and valued.

A Unique and Unforgettable Kindergarten Experience
What makes Leila Day truly special is our commitment to meeting each child where they are. Our small teacher-to-child ratio allows for the perfect blend of outdoor exploration, hands-on projects, and the academic and social foundations needed to thrive. Your child will not only gain essential skills but will build lifelong memories in a setting that nurtures their curiosity, independence, and love for learning.

After School Program, 2:50 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

The Leila Day After School Program begins at the end of the public school day. Leila Day teachers meet enrolled children at Little or Big Hooker School and they walk back to Leila Day. Children from other schools can be dropped off after 3:10pm at Leila Day by their families or by bus through arrangement with the New Haven Public Schools transportation office.

After School is divided into two groups with 12-20 children each, and two or three teachers per group. The groups are typically divided by age with the groupings determined by that year's enrollment. 

A daily snack is provided by Leila Day, followed by a group meeting in which stories are read, ideas are discussed and explored, and group expectations and norms are established. After this group portion of the afternoon, children select their play, having many choices between indoor and outdoor activities, some teacher-led, others free-play.

Indoors, children can engage in many different types of art activities including drawing, painting, clay, map making, mandalas, and self-portraits. Journaling, reading, dramatic play, and board games and puzzles are indoor options, as well. Outdoors the children play in the Cottage yard in the sandbox or mud kitchen, climbing or swinging on the play  structures, building forts or crafting fairy/gnome houses. On designated afternoons, the groups spend afternoons in East Rock Park where they play games, hike, track animals, observe the animal life of the Mill River, and generally explore the natural world. At 5:00 pm the afternoon begins winding down usually inside. Children journal, draw, read, or do homework before the program closes at 5:30 pm.

Children in Afterschool enroll for a five day week. The program tuition is based on a sliding scale fee determined by family income.