Areas

What Does a High-Quality Program for Infants Look Like?

A mat on the floor, an unbreakable wall mirror low enough for babies to look at themselves, squishy blocks within reach on low shelves—everything's so inviting!

 Here are things to look for in our program:

-A soothing environment

-Defined areas 

-Secure open spaces 

Personal touches

-Simple, interesting materials 

-Child-size furniture

-Small physical challenges

-Diverse books

What do children learn through block play?

Playing with blocks provides the opportunity for children to learn elements of science and math, like problem solving, counting, adding and subtracting, and helps them build both gross and fine motor skills. Block play also supports other key aspects of development, including language learning as children talk about the structures they built with the adults and children around them, creativity, imagination, self-esteem, and social and emotional growth.

What is science?
 

For infants and toddlers, it is a process of exploration and discovery. We call it scientific inquiry, best thought of as a “way of thinking and acting” (Worth 2010).

You don’t have to have a background in science to support children’s ability to think deeply about problems, develop and test hypotheses, and share their discoveries. While it can help to understand a few basic science concepts, the best thing you can do is observe the kinds of problems infants and toddlers create for themselves, and then let those problems unfold.

Books, books, and more books: Children pick up critical skills by engaging with books at a young age. Preschool educators encourage children’s book use by placing books near play activities and toys. For example, children are more likely to pick up a book about trains when it is placed near a play train set. Mixing books and toys sends important messages to children: books are fun and reading is a part of everyday life. Children also use books more frequently when they are kept in a defined space with comfortable seating—and when the books are shiny and new.

Creativity Throughout the Day

Fostering creativity is one of the most rewarding (and challenging) goals that teachers of young children can set for themselves. While it may seem simple enough to put out art materials and let young children bubble with their often novel ideas—it takes a lot of thought and skill to establish a learning environment that nurtures creative thinking. Only by intentionally connecting educational goals with open-ended, inspiring approaches can teachers encourage children to express and develop their creativity as part of the learning process. True creativity emerges from the combination of knowledge, skill, inspiration, and persistence.

High-quality programs use developmentally appropriate practice. 

This means that teachers provide challenges that are not too hard or too easy—something toddlers can do with a little help

Physical development. Toddlers love to move: climbing, jumping, dancing! We offer your children many ways to be active, both indoors and outdoors. They also provide materials and activities that interest children their age and help improve their hand-eye coordination, like scribbling with crayons and stacking toys.

What does dressing up mean for young children?
 

When children dress up as part of their pretend play, they represent themselves as someone else--a mother, a monster, a dinosaur. It's an important part of their development of "transforming" one thing into another. In this case, they are transforming themselves into another role.

Our Dramatic Area counts as a child's size kitchen with pretend food and utensils, cleaning supplies, dolls and some costumes size appropriate with tools.. 

The room is divided into separate areas for sleeping, playing, eating, and changing diapers. That way, everything and everyone stays clean and safe, infants are provided with an individual labeled crib and sheet. The resting area as well counts with our infant's bottles station where breastfeeding mother can nurse their babies too if is necessary.

Children 12 months and older are provided with an individual labeled cot, sheet and blanket.

The bathroom is easily accessible to children two years of age and older.  Contain a working toilet and sink, toilet paper, toilet wipes, liquid soap, and paper towels. In addition we have a bathtub in case of necessary over night care.

Our outdoor area has plenty of green areas for everyone to enjoy while practicing physical activities. Equipment is added depending on the season.