Playschool is the theme of our toddler classrooms, "The juniors and seniors" of our nurseries.  Child development takes on a whole new meaning as we watch infants turn to toddlers before our eyes.  Social development  literally begins to explode as we split our toddlers into two classes running approximately 12 to 16 months and 17 to 22 months old.  As in all of our classrooms, we are the only child care center in our area that puts so much emphasis on age-appropriate environments.  In our toddler rooms we are working towards one goal, to create an environment that gets our toddlers accustomed to the daily schedule and elements that they will see in our two year old pre-k programs.   

                        

                

          Circle time, center play, arts and crafts, fine motor skills development, socialization and even introduction to potty training.  We even take naps on mats just like big kids.  Lesson plans are started in our toddler class as they follow the same curriculum syllabus as our pre-k classes.  These lesson plans as well as menus and special notes go home to parents in advance of the next weeks so we can all follow and monitor developmental goals.  With two little classrooms, it gives us the ability to separate young toddlers form older toddlers over half of the day for the obvious reasons.  But it works best due to the fact that both classrooms represent different elements needed for both classes, that they can rotate and share throughout the day.  One class is for arts, crafts and fine motor skills development, the other times for group times and center play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

         

We also go outside a lot at this stage, and we start going to P.E. class in Sweet 150/200, along with seeing Mr. Music  once a week.

Two classrooms, two Lead Teachers.  Although not required, it is very important.  We position each class with ten children although state minimum allows 13.  Where the state allows a 13:2 ratio child staff ratio, we maintain a 10:2 ratio for each class.  All staff, no matter which class they are scheduled for , know all their children from both classes and focus on how well each and everyone of them are doing.  But we still  have two Lead Teachers so parents have a key staff member to focus with that handles a smaller than required number of children.  It works Great!

Graduation goals involve all the elements we've talked about as we look at how our toddler classes are positioned.  Normally we will move with a small group of our friends (very important) between 21 and 24 months old.  Different from all centers, we don't have to wait on a birthday to graduate as all of our classrooms are at a ratio that can accept a child from the next youngest class.  That way, we can ensure we are moving to the next class based on our development rather than a birthday.

Lead Teachers in all of our nurseries are scheduled in at except in 150/200.  We take advantage of two leads and have one opening and one closing.  All of our meals and snacks are served in our room, as we are still young to come to the kafe.  We do not group with other classrooms for any reason, all day.  Your staff, your child's classmates, familiar faces everyday.