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Infant/Toddler Level

Our Infant/Toddler Level is a full-time, full-day, early childhood learning center that embraces the Reggio Emilia philosophy.  How are we different than a traditional “daycare”? We provide care that meets the basic needs of a child. At our Infant/Toddler Learning Center we offer all of that and more. Our children engage in music, art, cooking, and dance, outside play, reading, and imaginative play every day. Twice a week our music teacher comes into the classroom to sing with the children and play guitar. Every day children have an opportunity to experience art through different age-appropriate materials using their fingers, brushes, sponges, items from nature, and more. We encourage children to get messy and explore all forms of materials at their own pace. We are a family environment where the infants and toddlers have the chance to learn from each other. It is our responsibility as caregivers to facilitate this learning and create opportunities for growth and development, not just physically, but also socially and emotionally.

Best Time To Enroll

Our Infant-Toddler class is limited to a combined total of 16, never exceeding 9 infants. We have five teachers, and our caregiver-to-child ratio is 1:3.2.

Currently we have a wait list, but please do not let that deter you from signing up. We have open enrollment year round. The best time to contact us would be when you are aware that you are expecting. This will help start the conversation about when the best time to enroll would be or when the best time would be to put your child on the waitlist.

Hours of Operation

7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday excluding major Jewish and federal holidays.

A DAY AT THE INNOVATIVE SCHOOL

Curriculum

The Infant/Toddler Learning Center at Temple Beth Sholom Innovative School welcomes children as young as 8 weeks. These children stay with this program until they are ready for our preschool program, usually around 2 years old.

We are a full-time, full-day program. We are open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday except for major Jewish and federal holidays.

We are a family environment where the infants and toddlers learn with and from one another. We have discovered that our children learn best from each other and we, their teachers, are there to support this development.

Experience Our Environment

Play Room

The Infant/Toddler Learning has a playroom with a see-through divider that creates age-appropriate areas for both infants and toddlers to interact safely and developmentally. All of our children come together for circle time, reading, and music.

As the children grow, the older children, with the help of a caregiver, begin to “help” look after the younger children. They practice sharing and nurturing skills, provide comfort, and “read” books to them!

In the play room, all of the children are exposed to creative and expressive experiences. Children as young as four months are given paints while on tummy time, giving them the chance to get messy and truly feel the paint and see, up close, what they create. As they grow and develop their strength and skills, the experiences change. They will go from painting while on tummy time to having access to different creative materials like brushes, sponges, and paint wells. This allows the children to experience a familiar material in a new way.

Kitchen

Children are competent and capable individuals with likes and dislikes of their very own. Through getting to know them, we are able to create individualized experiences that allow children to slowly break through their comfort zones and experience something new. This is most evident in our “kitchen.”

Depending on each child’s individual development, they have lunch sitting in our highchairs, at a tiny table, or at a small table. They sit together in community, eat off of real plates, use utensils, and occasionally help to serve or feed each other. We give spoons to children as young as six months and encourage them to participate in eating

Children are offered cooking experiences once a week. Whether they make applesauce or challah dough, children participate as much as they want to or can. During kitchen time, children are encouraged to join in every aspect of the process: with safe cooking utensils, our little “chefs” cut apples, mix ingredients, knead dough, and use a mixer.

Sleep Space

Our napping space is aesthetically designed for cozy comfort. Each child has their own crib or cot. We keep the room as quiet and dark as possible while still being mindful that the children need to be able to differentiate between day-time and night-time sleeping. If children are not ready to sleep, we support them and help them to relax and rest so their bodies and spirits can recharge.

Studio Space

The hallway connecting both areas is specifically set as a sensory and creative expression area. Along the wall is an easel where children can paint, draw, and color. When the easel is not in use, we offer sensory bins designed for children to be exposed to wet, dry, and textured materials.

Outdoor Play

The children spend part of their day on our front playground. This area is specially designed for young children to safely run, jump, climb, and slide. We bring out additional materials to encourage structure building, ball play, and imaginative play. We have a large shaded area and cold drinking water.

Weather permitting, children over one year in age spend 30 minutes in the morning and most of the afternoon playing and exploring outside. Children under one year of age are brought outside for shorter time periods. Depending upon their development, these children will use the swing, our moveable climbing structure, or sit in chairs so that they can experience the sun and wind on their faces. In good weather, we often have snack time on our community picnic table. Children also experience water play on the playground, where they get to splash, jump, dump, and enjoy getting wet!

We Love Our Teachers!