1. ·      2 regular size cribs sheets & 2 snuggle blankets/Sleeveless sleep sack (if needed)

2. ·      Sippy Cups and/or Bottles/Binkies (labeled)

3. ·      At least 3 sets of seasonally appropriate clothing (labeled)

4. ·      1 pack of wipes and diapers to begin with. Please continue to bring a pack of wipes each Monday unless otherwise told. You may bring a supply of diapers and wipes; we can store them.

5. ·      Diaper ointment/cream if needed.

6. ·      Any Medications (in original container w/child’s name & doctor’s note or prescription)

7. ·      Family Photo Collage

8. ·      Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher (if your child is at least 6 months old)

9.  NO SPRAYS OR DYES (MUST BE LOTION)

10. ·      Getting to Know Me form 

Bottles and sippy cups must be provided by parents. These must be labeled. If your child is moving up from the Infant Room, their belongings will follow them. We wash and sanitize sippy cups being kept here. If your child still drinks from bottles, we will rinse them and send them home daily. We provide whole milk or you may bring in alternatives (breast milk, formula, non-dairy milk). We will work with you if your child is transitioning to whole milk.

Shoes for children are not required in the classroom. Once your child is walking or begins to walk, they will spend most of the time in shoes. please provide shoes for them for when our class goes outside or out of the classroom.

Changing Procedure

• Prepare supplies (wipes, diaper, ointment)

• Clean the child's diaper area with disposable wipes

• Dispose diaper and used wipes in a hands free trash can

• Use a disposable wipe on adult's hands

• Use a disposable wipe on child's hands

• Dispose of used wipes in a hands free trash can

• Apply ointment if necessary

• Put clean diaper on child

• Wash child's hands with soap and running water for 15 seconds

• Clean and sanitize diaper changing surface

• Wash adult's hands with soap and running water for 15 seconds

• Sanitize sink if used for purposes other than diapering

Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided by The Children’s Garden. If your child arrives prior to our breakfast time, you are welcome to bring in breakfast for your child.

If you have a picky eater or your child is still being introduced to new foods, you are welcome to provide food from home. We are a nut-free Center so read the labels carefully. We do not force children to eat; however, we do encourage them to taste foods. We give a little bit of every food item prepared to each child. This is to get them comfortable with eating a variety of foods (except for children with food allergies or religious/cultural preferences).

When transitioning from the Infant Room, many children will still use a sleep sack. You may provide a washable sleeveless sleep sack (one that does not constrain the arms). 

Weighted sleep sacks or weighted blankets are not permitted unless accompanied by a doctor’s note. A standard non-weighted may be used in the pack-n-play or on the nap mat once the child is a year old.

When coming from the Infant Room, children will sleep in pack n’ plays. Once they are ready, or show interest, the child will transition to a nap mat for sleep. This will help with the transition to the next classroom.

Children typically begin transitioning at this time from 2 naps to 1 nap. We try our best to meet your childs needs and work with them wherever they are at. We typically nap our 1 nappers around 11:45am till 2/3pm. 

Routine-Having a routine helps toddlers predict what will happen next. Our visual schedule shows the next activity.

Singing-Toddlers love singing and learning new songs. Singing is a great way to transition from one activity to another.

Prompts—Give a time frame prompt lets the children know one activity is ending and clean up time is coming or to get ready for another activity.

During the summer we spend a lot of time outside, weather permitting. We will go on walks (see our routes in the classroom) and playing on our Infant/Toddler play yard. All children are required to have sunscreen 30 SPF or higher. It must be lotion (non-aerosol, non-dye). It must be labeled with your child’s name. We will apply it prior to going outside. We are not permitted to take a child outside without sunscreen.

Despite our best-efforts toddlers do get bit and hurt. Due to their age and developmental factors toddlers are prone to injuries like bumps, bruises, bites. Bumps and bruises often occur as the children are exploring different ways to move their bodies.

Biting is age-appropriate for toddlers. They are in the “mine” developmental stage and due to their emotional regulation skills, and the lack of verbal communication biting is the alternative skill. Again, the teachers strive to prevent biting (watching closely when children are in proximity of each other with one toy, monitoring a potential biter, and providing additional support when needed). However, with these measures, sometimes a child gets bitten. We work with the children and families involved to help alleviate the biting. As with all incidents (biting/injury), we provide basic first-aid, TLC, and a phone call to the parent of the child that bit and the parent of the child who was bitten. An incident report will be given to the parent at pick-up for a signature. The parent will receive a copy of the incident report.

The Conscious Discipline Curriculum is a trauma informed, evidence-based approach to social emotional learning. The biggest component we will use in our classroom is Baby Doll Circle Time which “strengthens attachment, attunement, and social play” skills in infants and toddlers.

Chrisitan Education is an important aspect learning at The Children’s Garden. It is taught in every classroom from the Infants to the School Agers. We use the Frolic Curriculum for Toddlers in our classroom. Each week focuses on a new Bible Story or concept. See our projects that reflect our Christian Ed.

You are welcome to bring a diaper bag for your child’s daily belongings. We are required by DHS to ensure the bag is free from all hazardous and/or dangerous items. Medications, diaper creams, sunscreens, and food are prohibited from being stored in the diaper bag. Please let the teachers know at drop-off if any of the listed items are in the diaper back so we can remove them and properly store them. We have reusable bags available for you to place your child’s belongings in for the day.

Please remember to label your child’s items. This includes blankets, clothing (including coats, hats, etc.), cups/snack containers, pacifiers, any food, or drink items. Please label packs of diapers and wipes as well. Check out inchbug.com labeling supplies.