WELCOME TO THE LADYBUG CLASS!
Infants, 6 weeks to 1 year old 

Hello Ladybug Class Parents, 

We do not have a set curriculum or daily schedule for the Infant room because each baby is developing at their own pace and has a different sleeping and eating schedule. 

We expose your child to a variety of sights, colors, sounds, smells, textures to help your little one grow. We change the toys and stimulus daily and offer a variety of listening music. We encourage language development by using Baby Signs, a simple form of American Sign Language. Your child will experience the indoors as well as outdoor environment. We often go for buggy rides in and out around the school grounds looking at the wonderful world God made for us. 

Transitions can be difficult at any age. We do our best to make sure your child is comfortable and content as they gradually adjust to being in a childcare setting. Please feel free to come and stay with your child for a while to get them adjusted to the class environment with new sights and sounds. Developing a routine drop off and pick up time also assists in the transition. 

We look forward to seeing you in the Ladybug Class! 

CLASSROOM: Ladybug 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 925-449-5683
                               EXT. 128 

AGE GROUP: birth – 1 year (approx.) 

RATIO: 1:4 (2:6) 

PHILOSOPHY: CHILD CENTERED - Each child is encouraged to learn from the materials on hand at their individual pace. Learning occurs through manipulating the materials, discovering their purpose and how they function in their world. 

WHAT WE DO: 

1. Children have individual schedules for play, sleep and feeding times (children are always held when given a bottle), according to their needs. 
2. Daily charts are kept. They record the time and amount/type your child has eaten, slept or had a diaper change. 
3. Age appropriate activities are offered to each child during their desired playtime. Activities will assist your child in natural, developmental growth (i.e.lots of cuddling, singing, sensory activities and buggy rides for outside experience). 
4. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate in their child’s day at TDLC. 
5. The first level of self-help skills are starting like using a cup, finger foods, spoon, etc. 

DISCIPLINE: Staff uses discipline as a teaching tool. Love, redirection, instruction, and example are primarily used (teaching the child that his actions were not acceptable, but he is loved). 

DEVELOPMENTAL EMPHASIS: Social/emotional, physical, language, cognitive, self-help. 

GOALS: 

1. Physical - crawling, walking, mastery of most toys 
2. Self-help - using a spoon, eating finger foods, drinking from a cup. 
3. Meal Time - prefers 1-2 bottles maximum, breakfast/lunch should be finger foods or foods that can be handled easily with a spoon 
4. Social/Emotional - well adjusted to daycare, having bonded with teachers, displays self-confidence (comfortable when playing with older children), interest and confidence to explore new environment. 
5. Language - understands several words when used in context, understands simple instructions, beginning vocabulary of 3-5 words.

Bottles:

• All bottles should be labeled every morning with the current date.
• All bottles should have your child’s name on them. This can be done with a permanent marker or masking tape. We have both permanent markers and tape available if you forget to label at home. 
• Bottle caps should also be labeled with an identifying mark such as initials, a smiley face or a star, if possible. This helps us return identical caps to their rightful owner. 
• Extra powdered formula that is brought in an open formula can or plastic container should be labeled with your child’s name and the date that the formula was originally opened. It will be returned to you every month to be replaced with fresh powdered formula. Please remember to include the scoop with the formula.

Food: 

• All baby food jars need to be labeled with your child’s name. 
• Dates are not needed on unopened jars. We will date the jars as we open them if we are going to save them for the next meal. 
• All food brought from home, in either baggies or small plastic containers, should be labeled with your child’s name and the current date. 
• Finger food should be ready to heat and serve. Please be sure to cut all finger foods into small pieces (For example: grapes should be quartered, hotdogs and carrots cut into half-moons or smaller). 
• When your child is old enough, TDLC will provide crackers (Saltines, Ritz, Goldfish) and Cheerios.

What to bring for your Ladybug… 

Your child’s needs will change as he/she grows. These are just some guidelines to get you started. 

• Diaper bag each day labeled with your child’s name 
• Bottles for each day-labeled and ready to heat and serve 
• Food (finger foods or jars) for each day (if applicable) 
• 2-3 full changes of clothes 
• Diapers 
• Wipes 
• Ointments 
• Sun hat 
• Sweater or jacket for cooler weather 
• Shoes (if applicable) 
• Blanket