Late Afternoon Program (LAP)

The LAP day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m., with options for 8:00 a.m. drop-off (Twos and Multi-Age Program) and 6:00 p.m. pick-up (Multi-Age Program).

Children in the LAP program are enrolled in classrooms with mixed-dismissal times, meaning that there are children who are picked up at 12:30, 3:00, and 5:30/6:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., the LAP Program begins. Prior to COVID, children would travel together with a teacher to their LAP classroom, where they would meet LAP children from other classrooms as well as additional LAP teachers. Currently, LAP children remain in their classroom and with the same children for the entire day to maintain health and safety protocols.

Our LAP teachers uphold the same level of expertise and experience as any other member of our faculty. Head teachers are Montessori- and NYS-certified and have or are in the process of completing a Master’s degree. Student teachers are members of our accredited Montessori teacher education program, WSMS-TEP.

The LAP program curriculum is aligned with our ongoing philosophy and goals for children. It is child-led and aims to meet children wherever they may be in their afternoon. Gross motor time on the rooftop or in the gym is available daily, as well as art projects, cooking, time in the cozy area, and all of the Montessori shelf works that are available during the day. An afternoon protein-rich snack is included for all children in LAP.

11-Month LAP

11-month LAP is designed as a full-time, nearly year-round program for children. The program begins in mid-September and runs through the first week of August. 11-month LAP tuition includes enrollment in our Winter Break and Spring Break vacation schools as well as our summer camp.

9-Month LAP

9-month LAP runs from mid-September through mid-June and does not include vacation schools or summer camp in its tuition. Priority for registration in vacation schools and camp is given to our 11-month LAP program but is opened to all other currently enrolled children when space is available.