Infants
Our infant program provides the foundation for all future learning through responsive, relationship-based care. We recognize that infancy is a time of remarkable growth and development, and our experienced caregivers create a nurturing environment where each baby feels safe, loved, and valued from their very first days with us.
Program Philosophy: Infants learn about the world primarily through their relationships with caring adults and through sensory exploration. Our infant program is built on the understanding that responsive, consistent caregiving is essential for healthy brain development and the formation of secure attachments. We view parents as partners and honor each family’s unique caregiving practices, cultural traditions, and preferences.
Primary Caregiving System: We utilize a primary caregiving approach, where each infant is assigned a primary teacher who develops a special relationship with that child and family. This consistency provides the security infants need to explore, learn, and grow. The primary caregiver becomes deeply familiar with each infant’s unique cues, temperament, routines, and developmental progression.
Our infant program honors the sacred trust families place in us by providing exceptional care that nurtures each baby’s unique development while laying a foundation of security, love, and faith that will support them throughout their early childhood journey.
Developmental Focus Areas:
Building secure attachment relationships with consistent caregivers
Trust development through responsive care
Recognizing and responding to familiar faces
Beginning social interactions (smiling, cooing, responding to voices)
Self-soothing skill development
Expressing emotions and needs through cries, sounds, and body language
Developing comfort and security routines
- Early social referencing (looking to caregivers for cues)
Tummy time and strengthening neck and trunk muscles
Rolling over (front to back, back to front)
Sitting with support progressing to sitting independently
Reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects
Transferring objects from hand to hand
Beginning crawling movements
Pulling to stand and cruising along furniture
Fine motor skill development (pincer grasp, releasing objects)
Hand-eye coordination
Sensory integration through varied textures and experiences
Responding to and recognizing familiar voices
Cooing and babbling
Turn-taking in “conversations” with caregivers
Listening to songs, rhymes, and stories
Beginning to understand simple words and phrases
Responding to own name
Using gestures (waving, reaching, pointing)
Understanding cause and effect in communication
Exposure to rich language throughout daily routines
Book exploration and early literacy experiences
Exploring objects through mouthing, touching, and manipulating
Developing object permanence
Cause and effect learning
Problem-solving (reaching for toys, figuring out how objects work)
Memory development (recognizing familiar people, objects, routines)
Imitation of simple actions and sounds
Early spatial awareness
Curiosity and exploration drive
Even our youngest learners experience God’s love through the gentle care, warm embraces, and consistent nurturing of their teachers. We celebrate each baby as a precious gift from God, sharing simple prayers, singing gentle faith-based songs, and creating an atmosphere of peace and love that reflects Christian values.
We recognize that care routines—feeding, diapering, dressing, and sleeping—are prime opportunities for learning and relationship-building.
Individualized feeding schedules honoring each baby’s rhythm
Bottle feeding with responsive pacing and eye contact
Support for breastfeeding mothers (bottle feeding expressed milk, welcoming mothers for nursing)
Introduction to solid foods in partnership with families (around 6 months, following family and pediatrician guidance)
High chair use for babies ready to sit during meals
Early self-feeding opportunities as developmentally appropriate
Relaxed, social mealtime atmosphere
Individualized sleep schedules respecting each infant’s natural patterns
Safe sleep practices following AAP guidelines (back to sleep, firm surface, no loose bedding)
Consistent, calming naptime routines
Cribs for each infant meeting all safety standards
Darkened, quiet environment conducive to rest
Responsive settling and comfort as needed
Communication with families about sleep patterns and changes
Frequent diaper checks and changes (every 2 hours minimum and as needed)
One-on-one attention during diaper changes
Narration of diapering steps to support language development
Gentle, respectful care practices
Hand washing for caregivers between each diaper change
Beginning awareness of bodily functions as developmental readiness emerges
Our infant classrooms are thoughtfully designed to support exploration while ensuring safety.
Soft, comfortable areas for floor play and tummy time
Safe, age-appropriate toys that stimulate senses (varied textures, colors, sounds)
Low mirrors for self-discovery
Board books and cloth books for exploration
Safe spaces separated from mobile toddlers
Soft lighting and calm atmosphere
Natural light when possible
Home-like touches (comfortable rocking chairs, soft rugs, calming colors)
Family photos at infant eye level
Rattles, teethers, and grasping toys
Soft blocks and stacking toys
Musical instruments (shakers, bells)
Sensory materials (textured balls, crinkly fabric, soft scarves)
Age-appropriate books with simple pictures and textures
Mirrors for self-exploration
Push/pull toys for emerging mobility
Cause-and-effect toys
Natural materials when safe and appropriate
Daily Activities and Experiences:
Rather than a rigid schedule, our infant program follows a responsive rhythm that honors each baby’s individual needs while providing predictable routines.
Warm greetings and gentle transitions upon arrival
Individualized feeding times with one-on-one attention
Tummy time and floor play sessions
Sensory exploration activities
Language-rich interactions throughout all routines
Music and movement (songs, gentle bouncing, dancing with baby)
Story time and book exploration
Outdoor experiences when weather permits and age-appropriate
Rest periods following each baby’s cues
Peaceful departure routines with parent communication
Our infant curriculum is embedded in daily care routines and play experiences:
Serve and Return Interactions: Caregivers respond consistently to babies’ cues, building brain architecture through back-and-forth engagement
Language Immersion: Narrating activities, singing songs, reading books, and conversing with babies throughout the day
Sensory Rich Experiences: Providing varied textures, sounds, sights, and safe tastes to explore
Movement and Physical Play: Supporting motor milestone achievement through tummy time, reaching activities, and opportunities for movement
Relationship Focus: Prioritizing warm, responsive interactions that build security and trust
Weather permitting and developmentally appropriate, infants enjoy carefully supervised outdoor time:
Infant swings for supported sitting
Blankets on grass for sensory exploration
Shade structures for sun protection
Stroller walks to observe nature
Fresh air and natural light exposure
Age-separated play areas for safety
Communication and collaboration with families are especially important in the infant program.
Detailed daily reports including feeding times and amounts, diaper changes, sleep times, activities, and developmental observations
ProCare app updates with photos and real-time information
Face-to-face conversations at drop-off and pick-up
Immediate contact for any concerns or changes
Family photos and personal items from home for comfort
Parent input on care preferences, schedules, and routines
Welcoming parents to visit, feed, or spend time anytime
Sharing developmental milestones and celebrating achievements together
Transition support for returning to work
Resources on infant development and parenting
Our teachers observe and document each infant’s development across all domains using:
Daily observations and anecdotal notes
Developmental milestone checklists
Photo documentation of learning and growth
Regular informal conferences with families
Identification of any concerns for early intervention if needed
Celebration of individual developmental timelines
Infant health and safety are our highest priorities:
Low teacher-to-infant ratios exceeding state requirements
Visual supervision at all times
Safe sleep monitoring
Sanitization protocols for toys and surfaces
Separate areas for mobile and non-mobile infants
Careful attention to choking hazards
Temperature checks and illness monitoring
Medication administration as needed with proper documentation
Emergency preparedness specific to infant needs
Our infant caregivers possess:
Training specific to infant/toddler development
Understanding of attachment theory and responsive caregiving
Certification in infant/child CPR and first aid
Experience with diverse feeding methods
Knowledge of safe sleep practices
Patience, warmth, and genuine love for babies
Strong communication skills with families
Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse family practices
When infants are ready to transition to our toddler program (typically around 12-14 months or when walking well), we provide:
Gradual transition with visits to new classroom
Continued relationship with primary caregiver during adjustment
Communication between infant and toddler teachers
Family conferences to discuss readiness and timing
Support for both child and family during the change
y the time infants transition to our toddler program, they typically demonstrate:
Secure attachment to primary caregivers
Beginning mobility (crawling, pulling to stand, cruising, or walking)
Babbling and early word attempts
Interest in exploration and new experiences
Social awareness and responsiveness to others
Healthy eating and sleeping patterns
Trust in their environment and caregivers
Joy and curiosity about the world around them