School-Age Program

A Day at Ivey School-Age Program

Exploration & Discovery Through Play

Welcome to a glimpse of daily life at Ivey Ranch Park’s School-Age Program. Unlike traditional after-school programs with set curricula, our approach centers on free play and free choice, giving children the freedom to explore their interests and creativity. Through arts and crafts, science and sensory activities, outdoor and indoor play, food preparation, and visits with animals, participants enjoy a dynamic environment where imagination leads the way and every day brings new opportunities for discovery and fun.

No Set
Curriculum

Ivey Ranch Park’s School-Age Program intentionally avoids a rigid curriculum, giving children the freedom to choose their own activities.

After-School
Focus

Since our participants are already enrolled in school and follow structured learning all day, our program provides a refreshing change of pace.

Free Play
Philosophy

We emphasize free play and free choice, allowing children to unwind, explore their interests, and develop independence in a safe, supportive environment.

Arts & Crafts

From painting and drawing to collage and sculpture, children express their creativity through diverse artistic mediums. Our art station is always stocked with supplies that inspire imagination and help develop fine motor skills while creating masterpieces to take home.

Arts and crafts table setup with muffin tins filled with colorful beads, glitter jars, and completed sea creature crafts at Ivey Ranch School-Age Program

School-age child applying glue to craft project with colorful beads and glitter at table during free play arts and crafts time

Young participant gluing colorful beads in for creative craft activity at special needs school-age program

School-age child concentrating on sponge painting on paper plate

Colorful abstract splatter paint artwork displayed on red easel outdoors at Ivey Ranch after-school program

Student creating sensory glitter art by pouring sparkles onto blue paper during arts and crafts activity

Child gluing fish cutouts onto painted ocean paper plates during sea life themed craft activity

School-age participant adding final touches to underwater scene with colorful fish on paper plate craft

Young student proudly displaying handmade animal craft made from popsicle sticks and construction paper

Child engaging in sensory art experience painting on paper plate covered with plastic wrap

School-age child assembling spider craft using green pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and paint jar at Ivey Ranch program

Beautiful nature-inspired craft using real flowers and leaves at after-school program, encouraging environmental awareness and artistic creativity.

Science & Sensory

Curiosity comes alive through hands-on experiments, nature exploration, and sensory activities. Whether mixing colors, observing insects, or exploring different textures, children engage their senses while discovering how the world works.

Two children sitting at a table creating colorful sensory jars with glitter, food coloring, and small bottles during hands-on science activity

Glass jar showing layered density experiment with dark soil or sand settled at bottom, clear water in middle, and oil separation demonstrating science concepts

Young boy using funnel to add green glitter into small jar decorated with googly eyes during sensory play activity

Excited child pouring liquid into jar creating dramatic pink foaming overflow reaction during hands-on chemistry experiment

Child displaying five colorful sensory bottles with googly eyes and drawn faces, containing glitter water in blue, pink, red, and green

Two glittery sensory bottles in turquoise and pink with googly eyes and smiling faces, showing sparkly liquid contents on table

Child filling up a jar with sensory ingredients

Close-up of glitter sensory bottles with googly eyes and drawn smile, showing sparkly liquid contents

Happy child at outdoor table playing with red translucent sensory slime in yellow bowl during hands-on activity

Smiling child with hands covered in white fluffy shaving cream exploring texture during sensory play activity indoors

Four children gathered around outdoor table conducting shaving cream eruption experiment with cans and bottles

Child using purple tool to explore clear sensory bin containing colorful objects and ice during tactile learning activity

Outdoor Play

Fresh air and active play are essential parts of every day at Ivey. Children run, climb, play games, and explore the outdoors, building physical skills, social connections, and a love for nature in our spacious play areas.

Happy child in red shirt blowing bubbles on shaded outdoor deck with colorful blocks visible in background

Smiling child in bright orange shirt relaxing in rainbow colored inflatable pool filled with water on grass

Young child in dark shirt playing and splashing in red inflatable pool on sunny day at outdoor play area

Three children constructing colorful fort structure with large foam building blocks under shade sail on artificial turf playground

Children riding tricycles and balance bikes on paved pathway with colorful scarves and blocks on grass nearby

Smiling boy in blue shirt sitting on blanket playing with clear sensory bin containing colorful pompoms outdoors

Excited young child in turquoise shirt holding yellow swing chains and laughing on playground equipment

Boy sitting on lawn playing with bright blue and green sensory scarves during outdoor sensory play activity

Child standing in outdoor sprinkler spray with water droplets filling the air on sunny day

Happy child in white long sleeve shirt swinging on chain swing set with green trees in background

Child standing in sprinkler spray getting soaked during outdoor water play time

Indoor Play

When it’s time to come inside, the fun continues with board games, building blocks, dramatic play, and group activities. Our indoor spaces offer comfortable areas for both energetic play and quieter moments of focused engagement.

Group of children collaborating on colorful animal themed peg puzzles including birds and jungle animals during indoor activity time

Two children enjoying board game with play money at sunny window table during school age program indoor play

Children on floor assembling large cardboard puzzle pieces near storage shelves with fall decorations on classroom wall

Two boys sitting on floor working together to complete bright colorful floor puzzle with various shaped pieces

Three children seated on carpet playing collaborative floor game with game boards and yellow tape markers in comfortable classroom setting

Close up of happy child in red and black striped shirt with big smile during school age program indoor playtime

Staff member helping children with activities at table while others play independently in bright classroom with fall decorations and organized storage

Boy in turquoise shirt sitting cross legged on floor reading colorful picture book near game storage shelves during quiet time

Program staff reading colorful storybook with boy in purple shirt during one on one reading time in cozy corner area

Child in Queen shirt working on large space and planet themed floor puzzle with yellow and dark pieces near organized game storage

Child participating in spider web floor game using orange and purple tape strips with black paper spiders

Child working on individual craft project at table with mesh bag and supplies near window during indoor activity time

Food Prep & Baking

Children learn valuable life skills in the kitchen, preparing snacks and baking treats together. These activities teach measurement, following instructions, and teamwork while creating delicious results everyone can enjoy.

Student carefully mixing cereal and ingredients in yellow bowl during hands-on baking lesson at school age program kitchen

Boy pushing brown trashbin on pathway demonstrating environmental responsibility and waste management skills at after school program

Student making nutritious lunch with blue divided tray and clear container showing independent mealtime skills in bright classroom

Young boy carefully spooning batter from green mixing bowl into muffin tin liners during baking project

Children practicing food preparation cutting chicken on cutting board with plates of pretzels and fruit nearby

Young child preparing snacks at after-school program

Boy wearing food safe gloves mixing cookie dough by hand in metal bowl during baking activity

Student in light blue shirt using metal spatula to transfer food onto white plate showing plating and serving skills

Close up of hands pouring brown sugar from bag into glass measuring cup during precise baking measurement activity

Hands wearing food safe gloves squeezing fresh lemon half over yellow bowl during cooking and food prep lesson

Smiling boy in black Queen shirt using whisk to mix batter in metal bowl in program kitchen with recipe card nearby

Boy concentrating while whisking baking ingredients in bright green bowl learning mixing techniques during after school cooking class

Visiting Our Furry Friends

Special visits with animals provide unique opportunities for connection and learning. Children develop empathy, responsibility, and respect for living creatures while enjoying the joy that comes from interacting with our furry companions.