Infant and Toddler Program...(6 wks to 36 months)

The Infant/Toddler curriculum utilizes a relationship-based, responsive care giving approach with learning and development taking place through daily routines and specially individualized activities for the children and the group. The responsive approach is based on principles outlined in the Creative Curriculum® for Infants and Toddlers. The information is used to create classroom activities as well as address individual strengths and weaknesses of each child. This information is always available to parents.

Playtime, rest, music and movement, stories, art activities, water play, exploration, outdoor fun and lots of love make up the infant/toddler day with an aim towards the support of personal and social growth, language development and independence skills. Teachers provide a setting which allows children to be creative and to explore their environment through their senses, by physically moving about and through social interaction with others. Toilet training is an important focus of the two year old group, beginning when each child is ready with the staff and parent working together as a team. Lesson plans are posted weekly outside of each classroom and are developed using the Creative Curriculum® for Infants/Toddlers.

The American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have written guidelines for child care centers called Caring for Our Children – National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs. Our infant/toddler programs have adopted the following rules regarding infant sleep position and surroundings:

• Infants under 12 months of age shall be placed on their backs on a firm tight-fitting mattress for sleep in a crib.
• All pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products shall be removed from the crib.
• If a blanket is used, the infant shall be placed at the foot of the crib with a thin blanket tucked around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the infant’s chest.
• The infant’s head shall remain uncovered during sleep.
• Unless the child has a note from a physician specifying otherwise, infants shall be placed in a supine (back) position for sleeping to lower the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

When infants can easily turn over from the supine to the prone position, they shall be put down to sleep on their back, but allowed to adopt whatever position they prefer for sleep. Unless a doctor specifies the need for a positioning device that restricts movement within the child's crib, such devices shall not be used.

Pooh Corner participates in the Care 4 Kids program