Welcome to Infant II Room

Your baby is now one-year old. So much has happened in the last year that it's hard to comprehend. Routines and consistency are still an important part of their day but they are much more active, sitting up, crawling, and scooting. Not quite toddlers and yet not infants these children need to be encouraged to explore within their limits. Eating is both fun and instructive and children learn watching each other. Music, books and stories are part of their busy day. They are becoming aware that they are independent people and it can be a little disconcerting. Their language is developing both in speech and understanding. They are on their way to becoming little people and it's very exciting for all.

This is a very important year for you and them. We know that at Kare-A-Lot and we have planned the day in the Infant II room to match your child's varied needs.

Nutrition and Feeding Schedules

• Children that arrive before 8:15AM will eat breakfast at the center.
• We provide milk.
• Parents can bring breakfast food.
• 9AM a small stack is served
• We serve lunch at 12:00 PM
• We are happy to honor your feeding instructions, however we must follow what we consider is developmentally appropriate for a young toddler.
• 3:00 PM the Afternoon Snack is served
• Late afternoon snack at 5:00 PM
• Feeding times are Social Times - Much interaction.
• Once per month, we ask parents to bring snacks to share, see the monthly snack calendar given by your teacher
• Meal times are happy times at Kare-A-Lot

Napping Schedules

Sleeping is a very important part of the daily routine in the infant II room. Young children in group care need to rest and relax away from the noise and movement of the room. Most afternoon naps last from 2 to 2 1/2 hours. We do not force any child to sleep. Some children sleep longer at the center, others will sleep less. This depends on the child's internal rhythm. We work with this child slowly every day to put her/him on some kind of napping routine.

Diapers and Cleaning Routines

Teachers change each child's diaper as needed throughout the day. Usually we change diapers twice in the morning, at lunch time and twice in the afternoon. The center provides the diaper change supplies BUT NOT DIAPERS (effective 1/1/14). We bag all soiled diapers. We remove the trash from the room

twice per day. We use a solution of bleach and water to clean all diaper change areas after each use. Teachers are required to wash their hands after each diaper change and before handling food.

We wash toys at least once per day, more often if necessary. We also wash all the equipment in the room at the end of each day. The floor is mopped, the carpet is vacuumed and the shelves are wiped off at the end of the day. The carpets are professionally cleaned every three months.

We suggest that you wash your hands before you pick up your child at the end of the day. We also appreciate it if you cleaned your shoes before you enter the room.

Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of illnesses in a child care center. We ask that parents wash their own hands and their child's hands when they arrive at the center before attending class.

Administration of Medication

Teachers can only administer medication with written permission from the parents and physician. Parents must complete an Administration of Medication Form for over the counter medicine and keep it at the center. We need to have some kind of pain and fever reliever medication in your child's cubby. For prescription medication, parents must complete an additional Administration of Medication Form. Medicine must be brought to KAL in its original container.

Children’s clothing and Other Belongings

• Every child must have at least five diapers in their cubbies each day.
• Every child must have two changes of clothing in their cubbies at all times.
• The center provides crib sheets, parents must provide the blankets.
• Every Friday, parents take all bedding home to wash.
• Children need to dress according to the weather.
• The school is air conditioned in the summer.
• Babies prefer to wear booties in the winter to keep their toes warm.
• We like to have hats for the summer.

Developmental Records. Parent/Teacher Conferences

At least once per year you will receive a record of the developmental progress of your child. In addition, we offer the opportunity for parent and teacher conferences throughout the year. Throughout the year the teachers will keep you informed on how your child is behaving and developing at the center. We keep track of your child's development in the major areas of development: large and small motor skills, language, social and cognitive.

Thirty days after enrollment we ask the parents to complete the Ages & Stages questionnaire. This questionnaire is a screening tool for teachers to assess the child's developmental stage. Please feel free to ask questions or share your concerns in this area with us.

Communications Between Parents and Care Givers

If we want to provide a loving, learning, and safe environment for your child we need to work together and trust each other. We build this trust by keeping the lines of communication open at all times. We complete a daily activity chart for your child every day. Please sign your child in and out. Complete the parent section of the form so all care givers that work with your child know what you want them to do. Also read the chart every day for our comments and requests. Each classroom's Lead Teacher emails a monthly newsletter to inform our parents of what is happening in the classroom for the month. However, we do not send newsletters during the summer months. If you have a concern or suggestion, please talk to your lead teachers. If you do not get a satisfied answer, talk to the director. We take your concerns seriously because we want you to trust us.

Outside Play

• Regular walks around neighborhood
• Playground everyday - if temperature is above 30 degrees
• Play in sandbox
• Please remember to apply sunscreen on your child before coming to school