Toddler

Our Toddler Program is specifically designed for children who are 12- 24 months in age, assigned to three (3) separate classrooms by age.   The group size remains small allowing children and teachers to create strong bonds and to trust their caregivers. At this age, children learn to feel safe and comfortable by following a schedule.  They cannot tell time, so they begin to understand and make sense of their day by knowing what happens next. Another important aspect of toddler development is the school/ home communication. The teachers communicate daily in many different ways. We require parents/caregivers to drop-off and pick-up in the classroom daily, which facilitates a higher degree of communication with classroom teachers. Daily sheets keep the parent informed of all activities from the day.

A Typical Day in our Toddler Program      

  • Self selected activities - Teachers guide children in selecting what they want to play with and how. The teachers observe and interact to extend play and learning. Also, the teachers read, play, and sing with the children individually or as a small group.

  • Outdoor time - The playground is an extension to the classroom. Teachers supervise and interact with children as they explore the playground environment and equipment. Some examples of activities you will see on during outdoor time include, rolling a ball, riding a trike, blowing bubbles, painting with water, swinging, etc

  • A.M. Snack - Teachers help children wash their hands and eat a light morning snack together. The toddlers are beginning to learn how to drink from an open cup and serve themselves.

  • Diaper/ toileting - Each child’s diaper is checked and change as necessary. Teachers use this valuable time to talk with each child individually. 

  • Optional Group Time/Creative art/Free Play - This is an opportunity for children to join in a morning group time as the teacher leads the class in read aloud, songs, finger plays, and other developmentally appropriate activities. 

  • Multi-Purpose Room/Free Play - The primary focus of this time is to help develop gross motor development. Children can participate in games, riding toys, dancing, or free play on the gross motor equipment.

  • Nature Walk Around the School - The children either ride in the bye-bye buggy or  walk around the school. This is an opportunity for the children to interact with the real world around them as teachers stop and discuss some of the outdoor elements.

  • Get Ready for Lunch/ Diaper Change - Teachers check each child’s diaper and change as necessary, and use this valuable time to talk with each child individually. 

  • Lunch - The teachers help children wash their hands and eat lunch, and then sit with the children and encourage conversation about the day’s events, the meal itself, and other things of  interest to the children. 

  • Rest Time - Children rest and refresh for the afternoon activities.

  • Diaper/ toileting - Teachers check each child’s diaper and change as necessary, and use this valuable time to talk with each child individually. 

  • P.M. Snack - Teachers help children wash their hands and eat a light morning snack together. The toddlers are beginning to learn how to drink from an open cup and serve themselves.

  • Self selected activities - Teachers guide children in selecting what they want to play with and how. This is an ideal time for teachers to observe and interact to extend play and learning. Teachers read, play, and sing with the children individually or as a small group.

  • Outside play/Outdoor time - The playground is an extension to the classroom.  Teachers supervise and interact with children as they explore the playground environment and equipment. Some examples of activities you will see on during outdoor time include:  rolling a ball, riding a trike, blowing bubbles, painting with water, swinging, etc.