Gathering Moments: Homeschool Kids Connection
A homeschool study group/homework group aimed at children aged 4 years and older in the Ukiah community. This initiative aims to provide a supportive environment where children can engage in educational and playful activities, snack and relax, and foster social interaction in a guided and supportive setting.

Program Details:
Parents will drop off children at 10:00 AM with lunch, water bottle, change of clothes, and weather appropriate gear and pick them up at 3:00 PM at an agreed-upon location in Ukiah. Drop-off locations will vary and may include Todd Grove Park, Vinewood Park, or the Ukiah library. The specific location will be communicated in advance, considering the season, weather, and other conditions.

We will plan to be primarily outdoors on most days, with library or other indoor activities scheduled for rough weather. Additionally, we will organize occasional field trips to enrich the experience.

Activities:

• Rest and Relax: Offer a time for children to rest, read, and recharge during our day together.

• Enrichment Activities: Engage children in educational activities such as reading, arts, and crafts.

• Outdoor Play: Utilize the park setting for supervised outdoor play and physical activities to promote holistic development.

• Nourishment: Our time together will include a shared snack while we read stories or participate in group discussions.

• Field Trips: Occasionally, we will organize outings to explore and learn in different environments.

Daily Rhythm Schedule:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• 10:00 AM – Drop-off & Welcome: Children arrive and settle in.

• 10:15 AM – Morning Snack: A light, nutritious snack will be shared while we engage in casual conversation or storytelling.

• 10:40 AM – Movement Games: We begin with physical activity to energize and engage children, such as games, stretching, or nature walks.

• 11:00 AM – Craft or Creative Activity: Children will engage in hands-on creative activities aligned with our weekly theme.

• 12:00 PM – Lunch: A relaxed time for lunch, with social interaction encouraged.

• 1:00–2:00 PM (or 2:30 PM) – Creative Play (Child-Led): Children are encouraged to explore their creativity and interests through play, either outdoors or in a designated play area. This is a child-led period, where they can take the lead in activities like role-play, art creation, or games.

• 2:30 PM – Relax/Finish Up Craft & Reading Time: The group will wind down the day with a quiet period, finishing crafts, reading books, or listening to stories, before preparing for pick-up.

• 3:00 PM – Pick-up: Parents arrive for pick-up.

  Parent Involvement:
  We welcome and encourage parents to participate in the program by leading workshops, classes, or lessons related to their unique skills or interests. If you have a passion or expertise you’d like to share with the children, this is a great opportunity for you to get involved in a meaningful way.

  However, we are not open to having parents spend the entire day with the children, as we believe it is important for the kids to develop their peer-to-peer skills and experience genuine involvement without the influence of their parents. This structure fosters greater independence and social development among the children.

  We also want to ensure that parents have the opportunity to enjoy and prioritize their kid-free time in the ways that best serve their own needs and interests, without being tied to the daily activities of the group.

Staffing:
We will have caregivers with experience in childcare and education to ensure the safety and educational enrichment of participating children.

Cost Sharing:
Parents will share the cost of hiring caregivers, ensuring affordability and sustainability of the program. The more children that participate, the lower the rate will be for parents. We would like to pay our caregivers $25-30/hr, which could cost anywhere from $7-10 per hour per child to the parent. Cash, check, and Venmo payments are accepted.

Communication:
We will initially communicate via email: tendingreciprocity@gmail.com. Once children have been signed up, parents and care providers can communicate via WhatsApp group messaging or text messaging.