Children's Program
..The 2026 BFM First Day School offers K-5 Children a structured Quaker program on 2nd and 4th Sundays, and informal supervised gatherings on 1st and 3rd and 5th Sundays. All are welcome to experience the inclusive, respectful fun we have Sunday mornings at Boulder Friends Meeting. Contact Carolyn @ Kubanks@me.com for more info. Also see Announcements on BFM webpages for information.
First Day School (Sunday School) Program
Mission Statement
The Mission of First Day School (FDS) at Boulder Meeting, is to create a memorable learning experience for Kindergarten through 5th graders as a supplement to the parents teaching their child(ren)’s faith practice at home. In FDS we practice the value of recognizing “that of God in every person” so as to help children develop an empathetic understanding of others that will deepen their early spiritual awakenings.
General Information
First Day School is open to the children of all members, attenders and visitors. Regular attendance is encouraged, but one-time or occasional attenders are also welcome. We look forward to getting to know you and your children.
The following is what you may most want to know about our First Day School program: First Day School begins at 10:15 a.m. and usually ends at rise of Meeting (approximately 11:20-11:35 a.m.). At rise of Meeting, parents will pick up their child(ren) in the backyard or back classroom area and proceed to weekly BFM fellowship time or stay with the child(ren) on the playground supervised by their parent.
Also, before First Day School begins, children are encouraged to attend the first 15 minutes of Meeting for worship with their parents, starting at 10:00 am. For those children, at 10:15 a.m. the Meetingroom doors open and they then leave the Meetingroom together for FDS.
| First Day School Group | Meeting Times & Locations |
| Childcare/Nursery: Provided for infants up to 5 years of age | Offered Sundays, 10:00 to 11:15 a.m., located in Nursery/New Horizons school area. New parents should contact childcare@boulderfriendsmeeting.org. |
| *10:00-10:15 a.m. Children may attend Meeting for Worship* | |
| School-aged classes, clustered by grade levels into smaller groups | Meet Sundays, 10:15 to 11:20-11:35 a.m., in classrooms or on the playground |
FDS Program
We endeavor to lead the children in a manner consistent with Quaker values and testimonies such as the testimonies of peace, simplicity, integrity, equality, and community.
The specific activities can vary greatly per session depending on the teacher, who rotates with four or five others. Parents may receive a brief overview of what’s coming the following Sunday via an email listserv or ask your child’s teacher if you have questions about that day’s activities. You’ll need to give your teacher an e-mail address to receive notice of future activities.
New bi-monthly Intergenerational Worship opportunity for K-HS students held during Meeting for Worship in the Meetingroom. Young children will have manipulative materials provided for busy hands/minds to slow down.
FDS Teachers
Our First Day School is taught by volunteers from the members and attenders of our Meeting. All are vetted, including an interview and background check. If you have been regularly participating in the life of our meeting for at least six months and would like to become a teacher or assistant, please talk to the teacher.
Childcare
Infants through Kindergarten gather in a fully operational on-site preschool setting with experienced care givers. Parents can arrive and help children to settle as early as 9:45 a.m. Parents pick up their children upon rise of meeting, or at times the children will be brought to their parents in the meeting room at 11:15 a.m. New parents should contact childcare@boulderfriendsmeeting.org.
Families are encouraged to attend, and even help with, several annual intergenerational social events from time to time, such as: the Harvest Celebration, the Christmas Program, the Easter social and egg hunt, and the End-of-year ice cream social. If you have ideas and want to participate, please let one of the teachers know of your interest.
Extra-curricular
Every Fall there is an opportunity for Colorado Quaker families to connect at the Colorado Regional Meeting retreat held in October. This weekend gathering features planned children’s activities plus evening family activities such as sing-alongs, Creativity Night, and board games. Look for PR in the Announcement page and the Miscellany newsletter
Many of our young people attend Mountain Friends Camp, which is offered once a year and has both a family camp and individual camper sessions. See http://mountainfriendscamp.org
Children in the life of the Meeting
See FAQ on Children and Worship, or speak with one of our teachers.
Requirements for teachers and FDS volunteers
FDS Parents Handbook (PDF download)
