Belonging: How We Shape Our Day

Every moment of the school day matters. Time must take up space. It must be as expansive as we can make it.

We hope that this informs our daily and collective practice. Children learn through their relationships with the world around them, with each other, and with themselves. Time for play, time to meet in large and small groups, with so much careful attention for arrival and departure. All moments are opportunities to feel grounded, noticed, and connected. These aren’t just transitions, stops on the schedule, or routines; these moments collect to form the heart of our day, where children build trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

The warm tea warms our hands and slows us down.

We know this work doesn’t happen automatically. Through shared training, observation, and reflective conversations, co-op parents and staff practice intentionally noticing, responding, and being fully present. How we show up shapes our collective experience, whether we’re supporting a child or another adult, guiding a group, or simply holding space. When we fall short, we miss opportunities for children to feel secure and seen. Our commitment is to learn together, knowing that connection will be carefully tended in every part of the day. This is the foundation for our hopes.

Title: "I Love The Way That Is”