Infants This stage is marked with the infants’ need to develop as unique individuals with behaviors and growth changes constantly changing. Each infant has different schedules reflective of their own personalities. It is the staff’s role to accept each infant’s uniqueness and provide a safe and stimulating environment from which to grow. As they do grow and change, the environment will be rearranged to allow opportunities for the children to roll, crawl, explore and move about safely. Your child will be taught the “signs” for basic concepts so they can communicate to you, the staff and to each other. Individual cribs are provided with sheets.
We provide flexibility in the schedule of eating and napping for each infant. Please let the staff know what your child’s schedule will be. Parents need to provide sufficient formula or breast milk for at least 3 days. All foods and bottles must be labeled with the child’s full name. Refrigeration is provided for storing breast milk for longer periods of time.
Please provide at least 2 weeks supply of diapers or pull-ups and we can also store larger packages, labeled with the child’s name. Please bring 1-2 extra changes of clothing each day. Be sure that the articles of clothing and the bag they are in are labeled clearly.
My Friend’s House exists to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate, inclusive environment for infants and preschool age children. Our focus is to provide a stimulating early learning and child care experience which promotes each child’s social/emotional, physical and cognitive development. Our goal is to support and nurture the children’s and our own natural desire to be life-long learners. We are committed to the families we serve, providing support and encouragement.
Revised: June 2018
My Friends House: Introduction 4
Everyone benefits from fresh air including the infants. The children as well as the adults enjoy going on walks and spending time outdoors.
Toddlers This age group requires a different environment; the children are much more mobile, some are transitioning from crawling to standing and even more are walking. By physically moving around and through social interactions they are experiencing their environment even more through their senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling). As they grow they become more independent and begin to interact more and more with each other. We will encourage their independence & exploration, while recognizing their needs for reassurance.
Materials available encourage gross and fine motor development, as well as sensory stimulation. The children listen to music, as well as simple stories. They are encouraged to interact with each other and the caregiver in a variety of activities that stimulate their early language skills. The children are introduced to the concept of communicating/getting their needs met by using American Sign Language, combined with verbal cues. Once they learn these skills they will be able to convey their meaning, minimizing frustration, even before they can talk.
Our schedule includes a variety of fun activities, including “Circle Time” (reading stories, singing songs, learning letters/numbers….), simple arts and craft projects, and play times. During these “playtime’s” the children learn how to use safe, challenging, and meaningful materials such as puzzles, blocks, toys, books, cars, etc.…. While they play with these items they will learn to share and interact with each other.
Learning experiences are provided inside the classroom, as well as on the playground, where the toddlers are encouraged and supervised while using age appropriate outdoor toys.
My Friend’s House provides food for those Toddler's that are starting to eat “table food”. Please look at our meal and nutrition policy and let us know if your child has any strong food preferences we should be aware of, otherwise you are to bring formula/breast milk and any food they are eating; please bring a week’s supply. Also, please make sure it items are labeled with your child's name. At this age we will start to introduce and encourage drinking from a “sippy cup” and sitting at a table.
Toddlers will begin to transition from sleeping in a crib to sleeping on mats. You will have to bring your child a blanket and a sheet to cover their mat and these sleep items will be stored and laundered onsite. If your child sleeps with a toy and/or a pacifier, please make sure they are here each day.
In addition, as they get older, and are ready to transition they will be taught how to drink from a “regular cup”, throw away their dishes and put their cups & utensils in a bucket for washing. They will also continue to use American Sign language, along with verbal cues, so they can continue to communicate with each other and the staff. This warm, safe, and loving environment will give your child the confidence to explore and grow.
As children develop and change, we will offer an environment where the children may learn and explore more independently. This stage is typically seen as one of the most challenging, but we believe it is one of the most rewarding. 30 to 36-month olds are very fun, mobile and active and they respond well to a regular daily routine with clear meal times, rest times, and play times.
Revised: June 2018
My Friends House: Introduction 5
Toilet training is a big part of this group’s life, too. We encourage the children at this stage to be independent while recognizing their need for frequent assistance and reassurance. This is especially noticeable when dressing and undressing. One of their most used phrase is, “I can do it by myself!” They love to sweep, sponge up a spill and are learning to pick up their “work” (toys and materials). They are beginning to learn important social skills and are introduced to the concepts of respect and caring for each other and themselves. These early manners, putting training and self- help skills prepare them for an easy transition to the Preschool Classroom.
Activities are designed to stimulate sensory development, as well as encourage small muscle skills development, hand-eye coordination, and large muscle development. We encourage them to explore all the classroom materials, helping them to make choices of activities on their own. They are also introduced to a variety of monthly learning themes and projects.
We will continue to provide nutritious snacks and lunches. We encourage children to drink from regular cups and eat with spoons and forks. If your child brings food or milk from home, please label the food or drink containers with your child’s name.
Preschool Our Preschool Program here at My Friend’s House applies a modified Montessori approach to the teaching of basic skills and concepts. Within an environment that is structured to provide for the specific developmental needs of each child in the classroom, the children may make independent choices from a wide variety of activities. Each activity contains different materials, provided to develop specific skills, or to provide for creative exploration. The learning objectives include: Writing, Library, Math , Music, and Building, and Painting/Art. There are also specific shelves that contain puzzles, sensory materials, and Practical Life exploration materials, as well as an outdoor Sensory stations.
