Infant Room Information

Age 6 wks - 15 months:  Ratio 1:4

Welcome to the Infant Room! In addition to all the love and attention your child receives, our classroom focuses on enhancing various skills through out the day. Primarily, our teaching staff offers the highest level of care for your infant. Secondary, our teaching staff develops skills such as gross and fine motor skills, language, social skills, science and sensory, math, art, music, and more through our curriculum lesson plans. Below is an overview of what to expect when your infant is in care. Thank you for inquiring about our classroom and the opportunity to care for your child. We look forward to getting to know your family.

Caring for your Infant:

Our classroom prides itself on offering high quality childcare for your infant.  Our staff is attentive and dedicated to your child's needs through out the day.  Teacher-child interaction is very important to us as a childcare Center.

One of the most important qualities our staff offers in the infant room is LOVE for our children. We rock a child that is having a bad day in the rocking chair and we pick up and cuddle with a baby that is crying. We are constantly sitting on the floor talking and playing with the babies. They get a ton of attention from the teachers all day long.

Building Relationships:

We believe an infant needs a consistent and loving caregiver. Someone who is always there when they cry, need to eat, need to sleep, or when they just need a hug and some love. We are always there to give love and affection to the babies!  We insist on building a solid relationship of trust between the parent, caregiver, and child.

Learning Through Play:

We look for ‘teachable moments' where teachers can guide children to learn through play.  While your child interacts with staff, we also encourage your child to interact with other children.  Teaching children, at a young age, to share with each other and take turns is an important skill to learn at an early age.

Lesson Plans & Activities:  

Our team of teachers consistently plan and implement activities through out the day.  We encourage growth and development by planning age appropriate, fun, activities for infants to participate in.  Our lesson plans are posted on our parent boards for parents to review.

Parent Boards:

Our classroom has two parent board located inside and outside the classroom for parents to review.  Please check for information such as lesson plans, child sickness, lunch menu, upcoming events, newsletters, and other important information.  Our parent boards are updated weekly to keep parents informed.

Tummy Time:

Through out the day, our staff encourages children to work on their muscles by offering a tummy time.   This is usually a brief period of time a couple of times per day.  Tummy time encourages children to develop their gross motor skills by pushing up on with their arms.  Eventually, the child will learn to crawl from this position.  Having infants getting used to being on their bellies is an important step for the development process.   We love playing with infants on their bellies!

Simple Sign Language:   

Our staff enhances the communication process through simple sign language.  We teach children certain key words like more, please, all done, thank you, love, help, etc.  Various signs are taught through out the day while in care.  We continue teaching the children simple sign language when your child transitions into the toddler room.  There is a poster in the room of all the sign language words our staff teaches the children. Should your child perform a hand motion all the time at home and you do not know what it means, don't be afraid to ask us!

Star of the Week:    

Our children participate in a program called "Star of the Week".  Each week a child is picked (every child will get a turn) and he/she will be the "Star of the Week". This project is for parents to make a poster about themselves so we can hang it in our classroom and everyone can look at it for the whole week! The parents love doing this and the children love looking at the pictures.

Child Schedule Forms:  

Each child has their own schedule and we follow what every child needs.  Parents can update their child's schedule as the child grows in age and needs to have their schedule adjusted.  Please complete a new child schedule form should your child's schedule need to be updated. Child schedule forms are located in the classroom.

Child Transitions: 

The transition process begins at about 13-14 months of age, depending on your child's development.  During this time, when infants begin showing signs of leaving the infant stage and entering the toddler stage, we introduce a new schedule, consistent with the toddler room.  Your toddler will begin learning new skills such as sleeping on a cot, drink from a sippy cups, and using utensils.  We practice these skills until they are ready to transition, which is about the 15 month mark.  Within this time, your child will begin visiting the toddler room for a couple of hours during the day in a two-week period.  Once the child is comfortable in their new surroundings and the child is emotionally, socially, and cognitively ready, the transition will be finalized.  Please ask should you have any questions about the transition process.

Diaper Changes:  

Diapers are changed every two hours, unless needed.  All diaper changes are recorded on the daily sheets and marked with the teacher's initials upon changing.  All little hands are washed after diaper changes to prevent germs from spreading.

Cribs & Personal Belongings:   

Every crib in the classroom is labeled with a child's name and schedule on it.  Each child is assigned their own crib, unless they have to share depending on the child's schedule. In rare cases, a child may have two cribs in the classroom, again depending on the classroom schedules.  If that is the case, each day the crib sheet will be changes and the crib will be bleached down. Under the crib there is a storage bin for your child's belongings.  Please store your extra diapers, wipes, clothes and whatever else they want to bring. Please take home your child's blanket on Fridays to be washed. 

Daily Sheets & File Folders:   

Each child will have a completed daily sheet form outlining how your child did for the day upon pick up.  Information on your child's needs, such as supplies, eating, sleeping, diapering, etc. is updated on this form. Please read carefully.  Also, your child will have a folder which is filled with information being sent home for parents.  Folders need to be checked daily!

Daily Sign-In & Sign - Out Procedures & Washing Child's Hands:

Upon drop-off and pick-up, please sign your child in and out.  This attendance record is very important in the security process for our classroom.  We also ask that you please wash your child's hands upon drop-off before being cared for.  Thank you.

Classroom Cleaning: 

All classroom materials, high chairs, counters, fridge, diaper changers, toys, cribs, infant seats, etc. are consistently sanitized and cleaned through out the day.  From mopping, vacuuming, to washing crib rails, we ensure that we maintain a high level of cleanliness for your infant.