INSIDE OUR
OUR CLASSROOMS
infant
program information
CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Infants are on individual schedules as dictated by each child’s parent. Staff members will follow the individual schedule for feeding, diapering, and napping. When the infant’s schedule changes parents need to notify the child’s classroom teacher. Each infant will have several opportunities daily for individual attention and interaction with staff members. As infants progress and their individual schedules change they will be introduced to the infant daily schedule activities that are age appropriate for their participation. Infants will typically be introduced to the daily schedule once they become more mobile.
FEEDING
Parents of infants need to provide their child’s formula/breastmilk and baby food. Bottles must be fully prepared at home and brought in ready to serve. A daily supply of bottles is allowed. Each infant will typically need four bottles per day and they should be brought in a small, cooler-type insulated bag. Any leftovers will be refrigerated if necessary and are returned at the end of the day. Once infants transition to table food the Center will provide the food.
DIAPERING
Parents need to supply their own diapers, diaper wipes and diaper ointment. Diapers are changed every two hours or when needed.
REST tIME
Each child will be given his/her own crib. The Center provides crib sheets and they are laundered weekly unless they are soiled.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
Each child should have a pacifier (if necessary), and an extra set of clothes. Sunscreen should also be provided for infants that are 6 months and older. You will not need to provide a blanket as we have plenty of blankets and sleep sacks available that meet licensing requirements.
PARENT/CENTER COMMUNICATION
Communication between parents and staff at the Center is essential; therefore, we use a communication app that is called "Procare Connect." Our staff will communicate all activities such as feeding, diapering, naps, and curriculum throughout the day. Our staff will send pictures and videos of your child having fun in the classroom as well as messages for supplies that are running low for the child. Parents will have the ability to send direct messages to their child's teacher as well as management staff.
ACTIVITIES
The older, mobile infants have a wide variety of age-appropriate educational materials and toys. Older infants will participate in songs and movement, art projects, climbers, stacking blocks, push/pull toys, activity walkers, and many others. Weather permitting, infants will have outside stroller rides or playtime.
7:00 a.m. Center Opens
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Child Arrival / Free Play
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Served
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Language Development / Music, Song, Dance
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Morning Nap
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Creative Arts and Crafts / Sensory Hands-on Activity
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lunch Served
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Outside Play / Stroller Ride or Inside Large Muscle Development
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Story Time
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Children Rest / Nap Time
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Snack Time
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dramatic Play
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Manipulatives (Blocks, Puzzles, etc.)
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free Play (Children Choose to Participate in Interested Areas)
6:00 p.m. Center Closes
DAILY SCHEDULE*
* Daily Schedule may be subject to change
An example of the daily schedule is as follows:
TODDLER
program information
DIAPERING
Parents need to supply their own diapers or pull-ups, diaper wipes and diaper ointment. Diapers are changed every two hours or when needed. Potty training will be discussed at time of enrollment or the classroom teacher with discuss with the parents if the child begins to show interest.
REST tIME
Each child will be given his/her own cot. Cots will be sanitized on a weekly basis.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
Each child should have outside clothes, outside shoes, blanket, sun block, and an extra set of clothes. Children are allowed to bring personal belongings such as a small pillow and a small stuffed animal that will only be allowed during nap and rest period. Personal belongings such as blanket, pillow, and/or stuffed animal will be sent home at the end of each week to be laundered.
PARENT/CENTER COMMUNICATION
Communication between parents and staff at the Center is essential; therefore, we use a communication app that is called "Procare Connect." Our staff will communicate all activities such as eating, diapering/bathroom, naps, and curriculum throughout the day. Our staff will send pictures and videos of your child having fun in the classroom as well as messages for supplies that are running low for the child. Parents will have the ability to send direct messages to their child's teacher as well as management staff.
ACTIVITIES
The toddler room has a wide array of age-appropriate toys necessary for development. Playtime activities include blocks, puzzles, books, puppets, balls, stuffed animals, musical instruments and many others. Toddlers will spend time outside or in the multi-purpose room when there is inclement weather.
7:00 a.m. Center Opens
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Child Arrival / Free Play
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Served
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Circle Time / Music, Song, Dance
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Creative Arts and Crafts / Fine Motor Skills
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Outside Play or Inside Large Muscle Development
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Science / Sensory Hands-on Activity
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lunch Served
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Manipulatives
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Story Time
12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Children Rest / Nap Time
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Snack Time
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Outside Play or Inside Large Muscle Development
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Dramatic / Practical Play
4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free Play (Children Choose to Participate in Interested Areas)
6:00 p.m. Center Closes
DAILY SCHEDULE*
* Daily Schedule may be subject to change
Behavior redirection
We prefer to use techniques that help the child learn appropriate ways to resolve problems and conflicts. Our goal is to create an environment where children can gain self-control, self-respect, sensitivity towards others, and learn appropriate ways to resolve problems and conflicts. Our staff uses positive language, speaks on the child’s level, and uses guidance techniques that are tailored to the developmental level of each child. When a child demonstrates inappropriate behavior, the following guidelines are followed:
- Redirect the child or provide an alternate choice.
- Within the same day, the child will receive up to two warnings.
- If problem persists, the child will take some time to regroup and return to the activities when he/she is ready and behavior is brought under control.
- If behaviors are frequent, parents will be notified.
- If behavior problems persist individual behavior plans will be developed with the parents, teacher, and the Center’s Director.
The toddler program is designed to foster natural development in a nurturing environment that will promote exploration, learning, and gain a “sense of self”.
An example of the daily schedule is as follows:
PRESCHOOL
program information
REST tIME
Each child will be given his/her own cot. Cots will be sanitized on a weekly basis
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
Each child should have outside clothes, outside shoes, blanket, sun block, and an extra set of clothes. Children are allowed to bring personal belongings such as a small pillow and a small stuffed animal that will only be allowed during nap and rest period. Personal belongings such as blanket, pillow, and/or stuffed animal will be sent home at the end of each week to be laundered.
PARENT/CENTER COMMUNICATION
Communication between parents and staff at the Center is essential; therefore, we use a communication app that is called "Procare Connect." Our staff will communicate all activities throughout the day. We will send pictures and videos of your child having fun and learning in the classroom. Parents will have the ability to send direct messages to their child's teacher as well as management staff.
ACTIVITIES
The preschool room has a wide array of age-appropriate activities necessary for development and to prepare for kindergarten. Some of the playtime activities include puzzles, books, dramatic play, train tables, puppets, blocks, computers, and many others. Children will focus on being able to complete self-help skills, speak understandably, identify alphabet letters, sort similar objects, counting skills, among others. Preschoolers will spend time outside or in the multi-purpose room when there is inclement weather.
7:00 a.m. Center Opens
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Child Arrival / Free Play
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Served
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Circle Time / Music, Song, Dance
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Language Development / Math
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Science / Sensory Hands-on Activity
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Creative Arts and Crafts / Fine Motor Skills
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Outside Play or Inside Large Muscle Development
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch Served
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Story Time
12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Children Rest / Nap Time
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Snack Time
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dramatic / Practical Play
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Outside Play or Inside Large Muscle Development
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free Play (Children Choose to Participate in Interested Areas)
6:00 p.m. Center Closes
DAILY SCHEDULE*
* Daily Schedule may be subject to change
Behavior Redirection
We prefer to use techniques that help the child learn appropriate ways to resolve problems and conflicts. Our goal is to create an environment where children can gain self-control, self-respect, sensitivity towards others, and learn appropriate ways to resolve problems and conflicts. Our staff uses positive language, speaks on the child’s level, and uses guidance techniques that are tailored to the developmental level of each child. When a child demonstrates inappropriate behavior, the following guidelines are followed:
Redirect the child or provide an alternate choice.
- Within the same day, the child will receive up to two warnings.
- If problem persists, the child will take some time to regroup and return to the activities when he/she is ready and behavior is brought under control.
- If behaviors are frequent, parents will be notified.
- If behavior problems persist individual behavior plans will be developed with the parents, teacher, and the Center’s Director.
The preschool program offers opportunities to develop early language literacy skills, science and math skills, social skills, among others in preparation for Kindergarten.
An example of the daily schedule is as follows:
Physical movement and development are an important part of your child’s growth. We believe it is important to move our bodies through physical learning and play. Our spacious gymnasiums are a special part of what makes Next Steps Learning Center unique! Our centers feature a large gymnasium at each site that provides a wonderful setting for large motor time, including structured activities as well as free play. We believe this indoor space is invaluable when our Minnesota weather does not allow us to be outside.
our gyms
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