Childcare

We believe that infants thrive with consistent caregivers and stimulating environments. In the Little Owls room, teachers will provide language development and other childcare experiences for babies during normal routines, such as eating and diapering. The curriculum for infants also includes teaching baby sign language, movement, and large/ small motor skills. Infants will be provided with a variety of safe toys and play will be emphasized as a childcare and growth experience. All infants will receive physical contact and attention including being held, rocked, talked to, and sung to. 

Infant teachers will always make sure of the following: 

1. Care by the same caregiver on a regular basis, when possible  
2. Individual attention given to each child including playing, talking, cuddling and holding 
3. Holding and comforting a child who is upset  
4. Prompt attention given to physical needs, such as feeding and diapering  
5. Talking to children as they are fed, changed and held such as naming objects, singing or saying rhymes  
6. Ensuring the environment is free of objects that may cause choking in children younger than 18 months  
7. Never leaving an infant unsupervised
8. Provide a fun, caring classroom environment 

The Little Owls classroom will be sure to follow each infant's at-home schedule to the best of their ability and they will be sure to encourage each child’s individual growth and development. We can’t wait to provide a happy home away from home for your new family addition!

Little Hedgehogs is a transition room that aims to give mobile infants a place to explore their surroundings and slowly transition into the toddler stage. This room will still follow individual schedules of the older infants while also implementing the start of a schedule and routine. Children will have more freedom to move about and see their environment while also continuing to work on the basics of walking, feeding themselves, etc. They will continue to develop their language skills, social-emotional skills, and fine/gross motor skills. Teachers will stress the importance of process, not product and that each child is valued for their individual achievements. 

Toddler teachers will always provide the following:

1. Routines such as diapering, feeding, sleeping and indoor and outdoor activity times will be consistent, as much as possible.  
2. Consistency from teachers, as often as possible.  
3. Individual attention given to each child including playing, talking and cuddling. 
4. Holding and comforting a child who is upset while explaining emotions  
5. Ensuring the environment is free of objects that may cause choking or be of danger to younger children. 
6. Fun learning experiences of all different forms

The Little Hedgehog classroom will encourage the individual growth of each child and meet them where they are at academically, socially, and physically. Toddlers will be able to explore their environment at their own pace. 

We believe that toddlers are learning their world through play and curiosity. In the Little Cubs room, teachers will begin introducing life skills and learning experiences. Younger toddlers will follow a consistent routine and they will continue to develop their language skills, social-emotional skills, and fine/gross motor skills. Teachers will stress the importance of process, not product and that each child is valued for their individual achievements. 

Toddler teachers will always provide the following:

1. Routines such as diapering, feeding, sleeping and indoor and outdoor activity times will be consistent, as much as possible.  
2. Consistency from teachers, as often as possible.  
3. Individual attention given to each child including playing, talking and cuddling. 
4. Holding and comforting a child who is upset while explaining emotions  
5. Ensuring the environment is free of objects that may cause choking or be of danger to younger children. 
6. Fun learning experiences of all different forms

The Little Cubs classroom will encourage the individual growth of each child and meet them where they are at academically, socially, and physically. Toddlers will be able to explore their environment at their own pace. 

Children in this age group are beginning to communicate with others and they learn quickly from the people they are surrounded with. In the Little Bears room, teachers will follow a routine that is filled with enriched learning opportunities all throughout the day. The most important goal of this classroom is to introduce foundational skills that will transition into the other classrooms and eventually into traditional education 4K and up. The older toddlers will begin to explore their independence and learn how to function in a more specific schedule. 

These teachers will always provide the following:

1. A daily routine with opportunities for independent choices/tasks
2. Consistency from teachers, as often as possible 
3. Social interaction and individual attention to each child 
4. Opportunities to improve large and fine motor skills (i.e. running climbing, jumping)
5. Educational aspects incorporated to play-based situations
6. Potty training introduction per parent’s preference

The Little Bears classroom will prepare children for the next step in their childcare development and experience. 

Children in this age group are establishing their language, personalities, boundaries, and interest for learning. In the Little Foxes room, teachers will expose children to more challenging opportunities and help develop their social-emotional skills to help them be able to communicate their wants and needs. The goal of this age group is to prepare children for the more academic-focused and independent classroom. The children in this age group are two years old up to three years old. 

These teachers will always provide the following:

1. A daily routine with opportunities for independent choices/tasks
2. Consistency from teachers, as often as possible 
3. Social interaction and individual attention to each child 
4. Opportunities to improve large and fine motor skills (i.e. running climbing, jumping)
5. Educational aspects incorporated to play-based situations
6. Begin use of technology for learning opportunities
7. Encourage communication and social-emotional development
8. Assist in potty training 

The Little Foxes classroom continues to support child development, encourages creative expression, works on emotional control, and sets the children up for success in the next classroom.

In the Little Wolves room, teachers must provide children with individual attention and encourage children to express feelings in appropriate ways. Children will improve their listening skills, cooperative childcare skills, independence skills, and grow in their respect for others, as well as responsibility for their actions. Children in this class range from 3 years old to 4 years old; depending on the time of year, some children at the age of 2 1/2 might move up into this room. 

These teachers will always provide: 

1. A predictable routine and schedule 
2. Consistency from teachers, as much as possible
3. Individual attention and relationships with each child 
4. Comfort and caring affection towards children 
5. Ensure the environment is stimulating, challenging, and fun 
6. Age-appropriate seating, tables, and nap or rest equipment
7. Enough items available so that children do not need to constantly compete for items
8. Containers or low shelving so children can safely use items without direct hands-on supervision
9. Opportunities to make choices and complete independent tasks without an adult’s constant assistance 

The Little Wolves classroom will be the first real introduction into a more academic-led learning environment while still keeping the importance of play. They will continue their child development and personality growth.

This classroom is the final step in the early childhood experience before the children begin elementary education. The Forest Friends curriculum used will introduce activities taught in 4K (when age appropriate) such as counting, alphabet and number recognition, spelling (name), and following directions for a project. Children will continue to improve their listening skills, cooperative childcare skills, independence skills, and grow in their respect for others, as well as responsibility for their actions. 

This classroom is split into two groups:

1. A pre-k readiness group of students (ages 3.5 to 4.5) that attend Little Raiders full-time because they are not yet old enough for 4K
2. A group of students that are currently enrolled in 4K and attend Little Raiders after school and all day on Fridays

The combination of these two groups allows each age group to observe and model behavior after each other. The full-time pre-k readiness group consists of 10-13 children; the 4K group consists of a maximum of 13 children. 

These teachers will always provide: 

1. A predictable routine and schedule 
2. Consistency from teachers, as much as possible
3. Individual attention and relationships with each child 
4. Comfort and caring affection towards children 
5. Ensure the environment is stimulating, challenging, and fun 
6. Age-appropriate seating, tables, and nap or rest equipment
7. Enough items available so that children do not need to constantly compete for items
8. Containers or low shelving so children can safely use items without direct hands-on supervision
9. Opportunities to make choices and complete independent tasks without an adult’s constant assistance 

The Forest Friends  classroom will be the first real introduction into a more academic-led learning environment for the kids not yet ready to go to 4K and a place to play/relax after a long school day for our 4K students. While learning through play is always number one, this classroom will give the children an introduction into what school could be like. They will continue their child development and personality growth.