What Happens During a Morning at Ivybrook Academy?

October 2, 2026 By Amy Cowan

Quick Answer: A morning at Ivybrook moves between a gathering circle, independent work time, small group lessons, project time, and outdoor play. Educators set up the room before children arrive, and children spend most of the morning choosing and working, not sitting and listening.

Key Takeaways:

The room is prepared before children arrive, with materials chosen for that day’s work.
The morning alternates between group time and independent work.
Small group lessons teach early reading, math, and science through hands-on work.
Children leave with something to say about what they did.
Every campus runs a morning program. Some also offer afternoon or dual sessions, so ask yours.

Before the children arrive

The morning starts before the first child walks in. Educators set out materials for the day: a tray of fine motor activities, a sensory bin, a provocation that invites children to investigate something. Nothing is random. Each choice reflects what the class has been curious about this week.

Arrival and circle

Arrival is a small moment with a lot in it. Educators greet each child by name, and children who need extra time get it. For our youngest children, separation is the biggest moment of the morning, and educators plan for it.

Circle time comes next. Children share what they notice, listen to each other, and help set the tone for the morning. It’s practice in waiting a turn, speaking to a group, and belonging to one.

Work time

Work time is the longest stretch of the morning. Children choose from prepared activities, work at their own pace, and return things to the shelf when they’re done. Educators move around the room, watching, asking questions, and offering a new challenge when a child is ready.

You’ll see a child pouring, another tracing shapes, two building something together. That’s the Montessori side of the curriculum at work.

Small groups

Educators pull small groups for lessons in early literacy, math, science, and creative arts. A group might sort natural materials, count what they found, and label a drawing. The lesson is short, hands-on, and matched to what those children are ready for.

Projects and provocations

Some mornings, children work on a project that began with a question. At one Ivybrook campus, transitional kindergarten children spent weeks on animal habitats, built models from loose parts, and displayed them in the lobby. Younger children walking past started asking their own questions.

That’s the Reggio Emilia side of the curriculum. Our post on provocations and projects explains how a question becomes a project.

Outdoors and pickup

Outdoor time is part of the morning, and educators move activities outside when weather allows. By pickup, children usually have something to show or tell. Ask yours what they built or wondered about. Most have a story.

Morning, afternoon, and dual sessions

Every Ivybrook campus offers a morning session. Some campuses also offer an afternoon session, and some offer dual-session enrollment so children can stay for both. Not every campus has opened its afternoon session yet. Ask the campus you’re considering what it offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the daily schedule at Ivybrook?

A morning typically includes arrival, a gathering circle, work time, small group lessons, project time, and outdoor play. The exact order and timing vary by campus and age group. Ask the campus director for the schedule of the classroom your child would join.

Is there structure, or is it free play?

Both. The routine is steady, and children make real choices inside it. Educators plan the materials, run small group lessons, and observe closely. The structure gives children enough security to explore.

How do I know what my child did today?

Ask your child, and ask the educator. Educators keep notes and photos of children’s work and can share what they’ve seen. Many campuses display project documentation where families can see it at drop-off and pickup.

Is a half-day enough?

Learning depends on the quality of the hours more than the number of them. A half-day morning at Ivybrook includes independent work, small group lessons, and time with peers. Families who want more time can ask about dual-session enrollment at their campus.

Visit a morning

Schedule a tour at your nearest campus and ask to watch work time.