Site-based plan

[bcholder]

Has anyone used the site-based plan? We are looking at the site-based plan to help the teachers. I would like to know if anyone has used it, and if so, how did you set up your schedule? Our VBS is 2.5 hours. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[TrinityJen]

Has anyone used the site-based plan? We are looking at the site-based plan to help the teachers. I would like to know if anyone has used it, and if so, how did you set up your schedule? Our VBS is 2.5 hours. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

We have used the site-based (rotating) plan the last 6 years. I love it. The directors guide does have some sample schedules. You can also search the forum for schedule, rotating, and site-based for lots of suggested schedules. This year we are trying to grow into a double schedule. But - Basically we have 5 classes and 5 groups. The classes people use change, we don't do a missions class and have snack and games separately. We also don't do a closing in the 3 hours we have, so you might need to decided where the kids need more or less time. Our 5 classes are Bible Story, Craft, Games, Snack, Music. I try to keep the rotation the same, when you leave Bible Story you go to craft then games then to the bathroom to wash hands before snack...If you start the day at snack, then music is next, etc. This is nice because the teacher always knows what they are doing next (day 1 when the guides might be lost).

This is ours:
9:00-9:25 = Opening
9:30 - 9:55 = Class 1
10:00 - 10:25 = Class 2
10:30 - 10:55 = Class 3
11:00 - 11:25 = Class 4
11:30 - 12:00 = Class 5
12:00 - 12:30 = Closing (Friday Only)

[jruckman]

We use almost exactly the same schedule as Jen. Last year we pulled the pre-K and kindergarteners from the rotation and had them mostly self-contained in 2 classrooms. (We had a "safety valve" room available for large motor recreation and they came to the dining room for snacks a few of the days.) This year we're expanding them to three rooms for a little more wiggle rooms, but they still won't have those transitions between sites which were so difficult for some littler kiddos.

The older kids love moving from site to site because they are able to see and do so much more than one classroom. And they see the other kids in the hallways.
Janet

[TrinityJen]

Wow - I posted my reply at almost 7:30 am then the site did it's normal error and I thought the reply was lost.

Our kids going into K will rotate (we are only advertising 5 y - 5th grade) we will have 2 non- rotating pre-school classes (volunteers kids and invited guests only). We usually plan for them to meet up w/ a smaller rotating class for snack and music then they go back to their room. They plan some games in the room, but outside time is mostly free time on the playground. They usually have some one from the crafts room bring down the supplies and help with the crafts.

I have 1 teen that has helped with music the lst 2 year and she really wants to tour guide a rotating group becasue she feels like she is missing out on the big picture.

[jruckman]

We have childcare only for birth to not-yet-3 kids of parents working VBS, and then any 3-5 year olds in the self-contained rooms. We have an abundance of pre-K and K kids (about 30% of all attendees last year!), but also, fortunately, an abundance of early childhood educators. Last year the head teacher and her helpers (2 adult and 3 teen) in there did an awesome job of really connecting with those kids and working the curriculum. Because they were self-contained, there was infinite flexibility in their schedule to move on if something did not hold the kids' interest or linger if it did. A lot of these kiddos represent families who are new to our church (and new to our community), so VBS is a great place to connect them and their families in to the family of our congregation. Relationship is key. And so is having the right staff in the right position. That would be a whole other discussion!
Janet

[brutgers]

I prefer the site based plan...its easier on the teachers. Of course, we keep the babies in the nursery and toddler -3's in the toddler room. Everyone else rotates. Sounds like for 2.5 hours you could do 5 thirty minute rotations.

Opening
bible story
craft
music
snack

good luck!

[youthgumc]

Here is the schedule we used for the last 2 years. It seems to work well:
5:30-5:50 Concessions/meal
5:50-6:15 Tour Group Meeting/age group meeting/Bible story time
6:20-6:40 Rotation 1
6:40-7:00 Rotation 2
7:00-7:20 Rotation 3
7:20-7:40 Rotation 4
7:40-8:00 Park Closing Time/closing assembly

We did Crafts, music, games and the movie/skit as our rotations. movie time was also bathroom/drink break time. We have nursery for under 3 and everyone else rotates. We've used this format with GospelLight material and with other material and it works well for us and our kids.