Yellow Room
Young Toddler
Student to Teacher Ratio = 5:1
DAILY SCHEDULE
Diapers checked/changed regularly throughout the day. Individual reading throughout the day. Music class on Fridays during school year.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Constructive free play at centers (blocks, dramatic play, music, manipulatives, library)
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Morning snack (provided) and clean-up
9:30 AM - 11:15 AM Group circle time with stories and songs
Small group activities; all centers are open
Outdoor play (weather permitting)
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM Lunch; clean-up; story time
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Nap
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Snack (provided)
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Outdoor play (weather permitting) or gross motor play indoor; free play indoors; all centers open
AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT
Approaches to Learning through Play
Approaches to Learning through Play Standards (ALPS) describe the essential life skills that enable a child to grow, learn, develop, and become a successful member of his/her community. The use and development of these skills begin at birth and continue across the human life span.
Language and Literacy Development
Communication occurs in different ways. It is a way to share one’s ideas and understand the ideas of others. Reading involves the use of pictures, symbols, and text to gain information and derive meaning, and writing is used for a variety of purposes.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression
Small toys or objects may be one of the most important teaching tools for early childhood classrooms. Counters, pegs, and/or small blocks support children’s learning in math and science as a means of learning complex concepts.
Scientific Thinking
Children are born with natural curiosity and the innate science and math skills to interpret and respond to the world. Children, who are given opportunities to conduct experiments, gather data and make conclusions, are developing skills that support discovery about the natural world and scientific inquiry.
Health, Wellness, and Physical Development
Teachers should model healthy and safe practices and promote healthy lifestyles for children. In addition, opportunities to experience active indoor and outdoor play in which children use their bodies provide a foundation for lifelong healthy habits.
Social Studies Thinking
The foundation of social studies, economics, history, and the workings of government begin with children’s personal experiences and their initial understanding of themselves in relation to their families, homes, and schools.
Social and Emotional Development
All children need early child- hood experiences that nurture emotional security, positive self-concept, and respect for others. Children’s social and emotional development are strengthened when they have experiences that promote a sense of identity and belonging within an accepting and responsive environment.
Creative Thinking and Expression
Creative thinking and expression is an important component of children’s early learning experiences. Children who are given opportunities to develop their imagination and creativity through a variety of media are learning to express their individuality in interests, abilities, and knowledge.
CHILD ASSESSMENTS
The teachers do ongoing observations of your child throughout the year. These observations are documented and used to assess your child’s development. We will be using the Learning Beyond Paper Portfolio Assessment program this year. The Learning Beyond Paper Portfolio will measure each child's development based on the Pennsylvania Learning Standard for Early Childhood. We monitor each child's achievement in development milestones, share observations with parents/guardians and provide resource information as needed for further screenings, and early intervention and treatment. The developmental screening process is a collaborative one, involving parents/guardians and done in conjunction with the child's primary care provider and health, education, and early intervention consultants. Developmental screening is conducted with the written permission from the child's parent/guardian.
We have 2 conferences a year, November and May. We schedule these during school time. At these conferences we discuss the results of your child’s assessments and make recommendations when necessary.
If your child is having any particular difficulties, we will not wait until the conference to let you know. We will contact you as soon as we deem it necessary.
New standards dictate that a child is to be given an assessment within three months of their admission into the center. This assessment will be done on students that are admitted after October 1 as our first assessment is done in November. Any child admitted between October 1 and February 1 will be assessed before our mandatory May assessment and any child admitted between May 1 and August 1 will be assessed before our mandatory October assessment. The teachers will set up a separate conference with parents to review these results.
REQUIRED ITEMS
Mat for sleeping (we provide) You will take the mat home to wash once a week. Your child can bring in a favorite sleeping pal or blanket.
2 or 3 changes of clothing labeled (pants, shirts, socks, etc.) weather appropriate
Lunch: We are a peanut free center so we ask that you do not bring in anything with peanuts or tree nuts. We are unable to heat children’s lunches, should be brought in a thermos container. Please use a Bento Box or other type of reusable container to pack lunch.
Tube of rash ointment (sign the medication book)
Sunscreen (sign the medication book) Parents are responsible for applying sunscreen in the morning and we will re-apply in the afternoon.
Diapers-one package (refill when teachers notify supply is running low)
3 packages of wipes every month. If your child needs special needs a special type of wipe, please label with child's name and supply enough for a month.
Bring in one individual picture of your child and a minimum of 3 family members that we will use in the classroom.
1 sippy cup
CLASSROOM NOTES
The children remain with the same primary teachers throughout the day. Teachers are assigned to a specific classroom. WMCC does not change teachers on a daily basis.
Please label all of your child’s things with his/her name or first initial and last name. This includes all food, bowls, lids, clothes (outdoor and indoor), diaper packs, special wipes, pacifiers, etc. Please use a black permanent marker.
If someone other than the usual person (mother, father, grandparent, babysitter) is picking up your child we need to be notified in writing, or by phone and that person, if not known to us, will be need have ID which we will check.
Parents are free to visit the center at any time during the day; however, we would ask that you not come during nap time which is 12:30 to 2:30.
Children in the Yellow Room will stay with their primary teachers throughout the day. WMCC does not mix ages groups. The Yellow and Blue Classrooms (both Young Toddler age) combine on the playground.
A doctor's note is required if your child is sent home or does not come in because of a rash or diarrhea since these can be symptoms of various contagious conditions. The note must state that it is safe for your child to return to a child care setting.
If your child needs to take medicine during the school day, you must fill out a medicine log form. You must put in the name of the medication, when it should be given and the amount to be given. The medicine must have child’s name on it, clearly marked.
Daily reports will be completed and put in your child's bin informing you of meals, diapering and naps. Check the white board outside your child's classroom for reminders and information about what your child did during the day.
A monthly newsletter about happenings in the center as well as reminders will be sent by e-mail.
Please wash your child’s hands as soon as they enter the classroom.
The Procare app is used by our teachers to communicate with parents about their child's daily activities using pictures and text. With Procare parents get a real-time feel of their child’s day.