Infant Program
Introduction
A stimulating environment and numerous experiences and interactions with people and materials provide for optimal intellectual development. There are opportunities daily to explore and become familiar with the surroundings. Appropriate sensory-motor stimulation is offered in context with the infant's needs. Interesting toys and other objects, sufficiently varied for all developmental levels of infants in the room, are provided to encourage exploration, stimulation and interactions.
Rooms
The infant rooms at Kidskeller Child Care Centers provide a safe, stimulating, and secure environment for the developing infant. Individualized care, which is intended to complement parents' styles and wishes, is one way of attempting to accommodate each infant's needs and personality. Age appropriate toys and activities encourage the development of the infants' basic skills.
Caregivers
A warm, supportive relationship is established between the caregivers and the infant to promote sound emotional development. Staff demonstrates many expressions of nurturing to build the relationship: holding, rocking, singing and talking to help the child develop a sense that the world is a safe, caring place.
We promote a partnership between parents and caregivers. There is a mutual respect and understanding so the two parties may work together to provide the best possible program for the infant. Communication is essential. A daily information form to be filled out by parents and teachers, as well as regular conferences to discuss the child's development is utilized to facilitate the communication process between parents and teachers.
The infant caregivers have a keen understanding of infant development, the environment that supports that development and family dynamics. They are able to work closely with parents and other staff members. They possess the skills to evaluate each child developmentally and facilitate further development.
The staff promotes and follows rigorous health and safety standards: regular hand washing throughout the day; disinfecting toys and equipment in the room; and maintaining a "child proof" environment.
Language
Talking to the babies by the caregivers is an ongoing process. The infants are constantly exposed to language: labeling, verbal expressions of feelings and reflections of actions and conversation during daily routines.
Discipline
Discipline for older children in the infant room is positive and loving within a child oriented environment. Gentle firmness, redirection and occasional separation from other children shall be the limits of discipline in the infant program.
