Infant and toddler program

Continuity of Care Program

The Program enrolls Infants around 6 months of age where they begin with a group of peers, teacher and environment that grows with the child as they hit developmental stages. Our program is designed to establish healthy bonds with caregivers and familiarity which support social emotional development this stage is critical for a young human to establish other developmental milestones and skills. Typically the child stays with their classroom for the duration of their infancy and beginning of toddlerhood up to two and half years old. So once a group begins all enrollment for this age ceases unless an unexpected opening occurs. This serves the students and families best and with this framework infants are typically only enrolled every other year due to quality and capacity ethics. Even years such as 2024, 2026 infant programing begins.

1. Each child shall be allowed to form and follow his or her own pattern of sleeping and waking periods.
2. Emphasis in activities shall be given to play as a learning and growth experience.

A. Throughout the day, each child shall receive physical contact and attention such as being held, read to, talked to, sung to, and taken on walks inside and outside the center.

B. Routines relating to activities such as bedtime, feeding, diapering, and toileting shall be used as opportunities for language development and other learning experiences.

C. While a non-walking child is awake, the childcare worker shall change the child’s position and location periodically.

D. Children shall be given plenty of opportunities to play with a variety of safe toys and materials.

E. Children shall be taken outdoors for part of each day except during inclement weather or when health reasons indicate otherwise. In that case one hour of gross motor activity will be offered.

3. An adult-sized rocking chair or other adult-sized chair shall be provided for each childcare worker working with non-mobile infants.

4. Transportation of children shall be in accordance with state requirements.

  1. Prior to admission, an interview shall be conducted with the child’s parent or guardian to obtain written information that will aid child-caring staff in individualizing the program of care for each child. Information shall include:

A. Schedule of meals and feeding

B. Types of food introduced and timetable for new foods

C. Toilet and diapering procedures

D. Sleep and nap schedule

E. Child’s way of communicating and being comforted

F. Developmental and health history and sleep position.

2. Admission information for Infants and Toddlers shall be on file in the room or

area to which the child is assigned and shall be known to the childcare worker.

3. At least every three months after admission, childcare staff and parents shall discuss the child’s development and routines with revisions noted in writing and dated.

4. Each group of Infants and Toddlers shall have at least one regularly assigned childcare worker to care for them in order to assure consistency and stability of relationship.

A Continuity of care philosophy to maintain consistency with staff and peers in addition to the classroom for the first years of life is imperative to forming strong bonds and supporting development of infant and toddlers. Children’s classroom transforms to meet their development throughout the first years instead of moving a child from classroom to classroom our 6 Month to 2-year program is adapted as they age and grow with their same teacher and peers. Typically, the program only accepts new students every other year so we can offer a consistent group that can stay in their rom until they are a toddler 2 or 2 ½ depending on the needs and milestones met. Staffing is consistent and hours are only from 7:30-5:00 so these children only have the same familiar faces in the beginning and end of day.

5. The regularly assigned childcare teacher and assistant childcare teacher for each group of Infants and Toddlers shall have a minimum of ten hours of training in Infant and Toddler care approved by the department within six months after assuming the position. This training may be part of the required entry-level training or may be obtained through in service or continuing education.