Early Childhood

Early Childhood playgroups at The Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau are nurturing and engaging. Groups are designed to support the early developmental needs of toddlers. LYSB playgroups offer a safe space where young children can interact with their peers, explore new experiences, and develop essential social, emotional, and physical skills. Activities during groups focus on play-based learning, allowing children to discover and develop at their own pace. Common activities during groups include: 

  • Arrival and free play
  • Circle time with songs, stories, and simple group activities. 
  • Organized indoor and outdoor play. 
  • Art, sensory, and exploration experiences. 
  • Goodbye routine to help with transitions. 

MONDAYS

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: Holiday Snacks

Monday, December 8, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Ages 2.5 and up, $20

Festive holiday play and cooking will take place in this group. After reading the book, “You’re My Little Cutie Pie” by Nicola Edwards and Natalie Marshal, we will make Holiday and Animal shaped Mini-Fruit Pies to take home.

 

TERRIFIC TWOs

Mondays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Ages 2ish
Three special Mondays for your two-year-olds. Free play, circle time, books, crafts are part of the activities that will take place.  

  • Session I: January 5 to 26, 3 weeks $24 (no group 1/19)
    Jan 5 – Snow
    Jan 12 – Winter Clothes 
    Jan 26 – Winter Animals
    Make up day if needed Feb. 2
  • Sessions II & III: see Wednesday schedule

FUN WITH ONES

Mondays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Ages 1ish
A perfect group for your creepers, crawlers, and cruisers. Baby safe fun for your child to taste, rattle, and roll while exploring their world & meeting other children. 

  • Session I: February 23 – March 30, 6 weeks $48
    Feb. 23 – Snow and ice
    March 2 – Dr.Suess Day! 
    March 9 – Edible painting day
    March 16 – St. Patrick’s Day fun
    March 23 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar
    March 30 – Toddler Olympics
    Make up day if needed, April 6
  • Session II:  April 20 to May 18, 5 weeks $40
    April 20 – Earth Day
    April 27 – Cupcakes 
    May 4 – Mother’s Day 
    May 11 –Bears
    May 18 – Sun Celebration

TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

PRE-PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP

Meets twice a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Ages 2 to 5 
Pre-Preschool meets two times a week with parents guiding their child in a preschool environment. The LYSB “classroom” days on Tuesdays and Thursdays will include 2 hours each morning. Free play, center-based learning, circle time, stories, art, and a snack brought from home (no peanut snacks please) will be taking place on our campus. The group will focus on building independence, social skills, cognitive development, motor skills and creativity based on the Montessori style of learning. Later in the session we hope to offer parents the opportunity to leave briefly, on a rotating basis.

Please Note… This is a two day per week program (Tues & Thurs).  We CANNOT accept registrations for one day only.

• SESSION III: January 13 to February 12, 5 weeks $180
Jan 13 & 15 Welcome Back
Jan 20 & 22 Little Artist
Jan 27 & 29 Snow & Ice
Feb 3 & 5 Exercise & Fitness
Feb 10 & 12 Friendship & Love
Makeup days if needed, Feb 24 & 26

• SESSION IV: March 3 to April 2, 5 weeks $180
March 3 & 5 Dr. Suess
March 10 & 12 Five Sense
March 17 & 19 Lucky Week
March 24 & 26 Spring
March 31 & April 2 Spring Animals
Makeup days if needed April 7 & 9

SESSION V: April 21 to May 28, 6 weeks $216
April 21 & 23 Colors
April 28 & 30 Shapes
May 5 & 7 Bees & Pollinators
May 12 & 14 Space
May 19 & 21 Pond Life
May 26 & 28 Games, Water Play, Picnic
Makeup days if needed, June 2 & 4

WEDNESDAYS

TERRIFIC TWOS

Wednesdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Age: 2ish

Especially for two-year-olds! Sprinkle a little fun, mix gently with giggles, smiles, crafts, books, parachutes, and play. You will get a recipe for toddler adventures enjoyed by all who participate. 

  • SESSION II: January 21 to February 25 (no group 2/18), 5 weeks $48
    Jan 21 –
    Arctic animals
    Jan 28 – Soup
    Feb 4 – Rocks
    Feb 11 – Valentines Day
    Feb 25 – Dr. Suess Day! Everyone is welcome to dress up as your favorite Dr.Suess character.
    Make up day if needed,  March 4
  • SESSION III: March 11 to April 8 (no group 4/15), 5 weeks $48
    March 11-  Weather
    March 18 – Exploring Farms 
    March 25 –Shapes 
    April 1 – ABCs 
    April 8-  Nature   
    Make up day if needed, April 22
  • SESSION IV: April 29 to May 27, (no group 5/25), 5 weeks $48
    April 29 – Flowers and worms
    May 6 – Mothers Day and yoga
    May 13 – Pizza Day
    May 20 – Dandelion Day 
    May 27 – Rainbows
    Make up day if needed, June 3

THURSDAYS

PRE-PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP

Meets twice a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
See Tuesday Schedule above

FRIDAYS

SPIRIT IN TUNE MUSIC with Miss Kaite

Fridays 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

Ages 0-5

Shake eggs, bang on drums, dance with scarves and more! Bring your baby, toddler & preschooler, and we will discover the joy of an interactive playful family music & movement class that supports all learning!   Combining rhythmic sounds, songs, and physical activities engages young children in learning through motion. These activities are essential in fostering early childhood development in a fun and engaging way, helping children develop key aspects of physical literacy, along with creative concepts, from birth. Plus, it is fun for parents too! Children can explore their bodies while building cognitive, emotional, and social abilities. For parents & caregivers, music and movement provide an ideal way to engage young children in meaningful and healthy play.   Join miss Kaite as she leads you in a fun & research based early childhood music & movement environment designed for birth to 5yrs and the grown-ups who love them!
• SESSION III: January 9 to February 6, 5 weeks, $100

• SESSION IV: February 27 to March 27, 5 weeks, $100

• SESSION V: May 1 to May 29, 5 weeks $100

BABIES GROUP

Fridays 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Ages 0-1

For new and expecting parents of children up to 12 months. This group is casual, comfortable, and informative. Meet other parents of babies.  We will cover weekly topics of interest based on your questions and concerns commonly found during the first year of parenting. Meeting in the child friendly atmosphere of Mimi’s Place at LYSB. Siblings welcome. Join anytime

  • SESSION III: January 9 to February 6, 5 weeks $20
  • SESSION IV: February 27 to March 27, 5 weeks $20
  • SESSION V: May 1 to 29, 5 weeks $20