How to Create a Daily Preschool Schedule

A daily preschool schedule is a must-have for setting the stage and getting those little learners feeling secure in their predictable routine. Preschoolers LOVE that they can share what activity comes next and it makes a big difference in their willingness to interact and participate.

Once created, a daily preschool schedule will help your classroom run like clock-work! Keep reading for tips and tricks to set up a daily preschool schedule and how to adjust if something needs a change.

Tips for Making a Daily Preschool Schedule

two scenes from a preschool classroom with the text preschool schedule how to create a daily schedule
There are so many things to include in a preschool day!

Creating the best preschool schedule can feel like a big to-do. There are lots of things to consider and ‘plug’ into our schedule and it may feel overwhelming. How much time do I plan for nap or free choice time? Is circle time 30 minutes? How do I fit in all of my brilliant lesson plans?

Rest assured, even with a preschool schedule, your day will frequently feel like there is never enough time! With a little bit of planning, this daily schedule will become your classroom foundation.

It’s important to note that my preschool schedule will often change even as the year goes on. What works at the beginning of the school year for my preschool classroom may not work as well as the year progresses. So instead of getting frustrated or irritated that things are not working as well as they used to, I’ll tweak the schedule.

If you are having any hiccups in your daily schedule for preschool, another option is getting input from the children to help create a flow that feels smoother and might eliminate some of the troublesome spots.

a colorful clock that will aid in following a daily preschool schedule
Almost time to start the day!

FAQ About Teaching Preschool

What activities should be included in a daily preschool schedule?

There are lots of important components to a daily preschool schedule but common activities include outside time, free center time, circle time(s) and other group activities, storytime, music, nap time, time in small groups, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and/or snack). It’s also helpful to have an arrival and dismissal schedule and have activities or ideas planned for that busy time of the day too. And don’t forget outdoor time!

How much direct instruction versus play-based instruction?

This will depend on the length of a preschool day (half-day or full-day) but we recommend utilizing short lessons of 20 mins or less. Not only do preschoolers have short attention spans, but this is a great way to offer direct and engaging instruction while still allowing preschoolers to make play choices and have time to explore their own interests. Play is a valuable learning tool so appropriate time throughout the day should be allotted for it.

What is a visual schedule for preschool?

A visual schedule allows children to ‘read’ the daily schedule using pictures. Including pictures in your daily preschool schedule is a great way for students to feel a sense of accomplishment because they can predict their day. Research shows that little learners benefit greatly from a visual schedule!

Making a Daily Preschool Schedule Work For You

Every preschool teacher in every classroom has a slightly (or very) different schedule than the next one. That’s because creating a preschool schedule is a personal and important step in constructing your day of learning. Whether you already have a schedule provided for you by your organization or you are building one from scratch, these tips are sure to make it a breeze to set up.

What is a Daily Preschool Schedule and How Does it Work

A daily preschool schedule is a list of activities that remains (relatively) the same each day. This allows children to predict and master the schedule quickly. It’s simply a posted schedule that students can come back to you and reflect on throughout the day.

After each activity, it’s important to go back to the posted schedule and mark that the activity is completed. Some teachers like to use an arrow that moves down, others like to pull the velcroed activity off the wall and place it in a basket to show it’s completed, and others like for each student to have their own individual schedule that they can check off together.

No matter how you put it together, a daily preschool schedule works and it does wonder to manage the classroom both behaviorally and academically.

Why You Need a Preschool Schedule

A daily preschool schedule is a lifesaver for both you and the children. It keeps the day running like a well-oiled machine, allows a natural transition into the next part of the day, and helps children feel a sense of ownership in their day.

When your littles know which part of the schedule comes next and the guidelines around this time of the day, you’ll have more interest, more participation, and better behavior in your classroom.

And, when children are behaving, they are learning and soaking it all in!

a preschool teacher sitting on the floor with her students while following  the best preschool schedule
Kids appreciate it when they know what’s coming next.

How to Create Your Own Preschool Schedule

The first step is to determine the hours you have during your preschool day. Some preschools may dictate a schedule so finding a way to make it fit best for you and your students is ideal.

Once you have a solid idea of the time frame you have to work within, then you need to determine the things you cannot easily schedule around. Here are some things to consider:

  • times for arrival and dismissal
  • snack time
  • outdoor play
  • nap times (if homeschooling or in a full-day program)
  • other meals times (if homeschooling or in a full-day program)

Examples of Simple But Effective Preschool Schedules

Examples of simple but effective daily schedules for kids in pre-school years (offer a realistic order of things that might happen during a preschool day. Give a half day and a full day example.)

Half Day Example:

  • Welcome Baskets /Arrival (10 mins)
  • Morning Circle (10 mins)
  • Free Choice Centers (40 mins)
  • Snack (10 mins)
  • Literacy/Writing Time (20 mins)
  • Outdoor play (30 mins)
  • Math (20 mins)
  • Thematic activities, sensory play, or process art (20 mins)
  • Pack up (5 mins)
  • Closing Circle and Dismissal (15 mins)

Full Day Example:

  • Welcome Baskets /Arrival (10 mins)
  • Morning Circle (10 mins)
  • Free Choice Centers (40 mins)
  • Snack (10 mins)
  • Literacy/Writing Time (20 mins)
  • Outdoor play (30 mins)
  • Math (20 mins)
  • Lunch (30 mins)
  • Nap/Rest Time (60 mins)
  • Quiet Activities (30 mins)
  • Music and Movement (10 mins)
  • Story Time (15 mins)
  • Thematic activities, sensory play, or process art (15 mins)
  • Outdoor Play (30 mins)
  • Pack up (5 mins)
  • Closing Circle and Dismissal (15 mins)
preschool children eating lunch
Lunch and snacks are an important part of the schedule!

Tips For Getting the Most Out of Your Preschool Schedule

Plan your day to include transitions within the chunk of time. For example, if you plan for free choice centers to be 40 mins, include a 5-10 min clean up time as part of your schedule. This will allow your schedule to run smoothly and children will get to everything on the schedule.

Save time cleaning up by doing activities using like materials back to back. If you know that after free choice centers, there is math time, invite students to bring the math buckets they were playing with to the table or carpet.

Also, consider having something independent your preschoolers can do while you clean up messy projects. Or better yet, find simple ways for them to help you!

Lastly, if something isn’t working in the schedule, change it! Give students a heads-up that there will be a switch or include them in the conversation about what isn’t working and how to modify it. Preschoolers love to help and this another example of how to give students a little bit of good ‘power’ in their day.

Preschool Schedules Guidebook

Snag our Preschool Schedules Guidebook to have a full roadmap to create an amazing preschool schedule! By the end of this short, 18-page e-book, you’ll know everything you need in order to create a preschool schedule that will maximize student learning while keeping it age appropriate.

Related