WELCOME TO THE CARE BEARS!!

Dear Parents,

We would like to welcome you and your family to the Care Bears classroom. We hope that you will enjoy your time with us. In this packet, you will find general information that we hope is helpful. We would also like you to know that our curriculum revolves around the philosophy that children learn through play. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” FRED ROGERS

If you have questions, concerns, or need an explanation on your child’s school life, please don’t hesitate to ask. Communication is a crucial part of our program. Open and honest communication avoids any misunderstandings and helps build good parent/teacher relationships.

We are an on demand room. Meaning your child will eat when they are hungry and sleep when they are tired. We will TRY to follow the schedules you provide. However, keep in mind, a child’s time spent in childcare is different from a child’s time spent at home. There is more going on here, sometimes a child may eat more (comfort feeding), or they may not eat as much, especially in the beginning. Naps may be shorter because of the activity from other children. We will all adjust to the newness of each other.

We look forward to getting to know you and your family!

Sincerely,

The Care Bear Teachers: Kyra Coleman, April Turner, Shanice Brown & Nathalie Noel.

DAILYSCHEDULE

Keep in mind, naps and feedings are on demand. Diapering is every 2 hours/as needed

7:30-9:30: DROP OFF

7:30-9:30: BREAKFAST/BOTTLE (for those who need it)

8:30-9:30: DIAPERING

9:00-11:00: NAPS

9:00-11:00 SOCIAL TIME (songs, stories, sensory, art, etc.)

10:00-10:30: SNACK (for those who get it)

10:30-11:30: DIAPERING

11:00-1:00: LUNCH/BOTTLES

12:30-1:30: DIAPERING

1:00-3:00: NAPS

2:30-3:30: DIAPERING

3:00-3:30: SNACK/BOTTLES

4:30-5:00: DIAPERING

5:30-6:00: PICK UP

We are an on demand room. This is a general schedule of our day. That being said, we usually have babies who are awake and babies who are sleeping.

Outside time fluctuates each day; children may go outside weather permitting throughout the day.

Individual planning/goals

Each week caregivers develop goals for the children as a team. These goals are based on individual development (where baby is), age development (where baby should be), and which developmental milestone is next (where baby is going). Our lesson plans have activities based on these goals. We do individual, small, and large group activities to help each child reach their goal. We understand some goals may not be reached within a week, or sometimes several weeks. This is why goals may change, even if a child has not yet accomplished that particular goal. There are several developmental areas. Goals will fluctuate between them.

Primary Care Givers

Each child is assigned a primary caregiver. This does not mean your child’s primary caregiver is the ONLY one to look after your child. A primary caregiver’s role is to establish a relationship with parent/child/staff. Your child’s primary caregiver is the one responsible for receiving information from parents and relaying it to other staff.

For example: Kyra is the primary caregiver for John and Jane. Kyra is feeding Jane and John is crying. Erica goes to get John and takes care of his needs.

Things to bring

Formula, expressed (frozen) milk, breakfast, and lunch. We will provide snack and whole milk when your child is ready for it.

Crib/pack and play sheet, blanket/sleep sack, snuggle toy, etc. (anything your child needs to help them sleep)

Bottles, pacifiers, sippy cup, bowls, and spoons

3-4 extra pairs of clothes that are WEATHER/SIZE appropriate. Tops, bottoms, socks, and extra sheet

Diapers, wipes, and diaper cream

Sunscreen, sun hat, jacket, sweater (season appropriate)

Lunch bag or bottle bag, for fridge and or freezer.

Storage bag to send used items (bottles, soiled clothes, etc.) home at the end of the day. Please be mindful that space is shared and giant diaper bags/back packs take up a lot of space. Reusable shopping bags or canvas bags work best.

*LABEL EVERYTHING*

Please label your child’s belongings including but not limited to: extra clothes, bottles/cap, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, diaper cream, sheet, blanket, jackets, lunch bag, etc.

Bottles, pacifiers, food, breast milk/formula

**Bottles can be brought in made or we can make them, whichever works best for you. Bottles are heated by placing them in a container of hot water. We can also use warm/room temperature water from the faucet for formula. We do not reuse bottles; please make sure your child has enough/more clean bottles for each day. All used bottles, bowls, and spoons will get sent home to be cleaned/sanitized.

Breast milk: Bags/bottles can be stored in the fridge/freezer using a bottle bag or lunch bag. Each bag/bottle should be labeled with child’s name and date (we will use the oldest first)

Formula: Bottles can be stored in the fridge (made) using a bottle bag/lunch bag. You can also store formula in our cabinet and clean bottles in your child’s dry bin

Pacifiers: We offer pacifiers when the child needs them for comfort or napping

Food: When your child is ready for solid food (purée/finger foods) you can store it in the fridge using a lunch bag, dry bin, or cereal drawer. Please label cereal, containers, bowls and spoons (also stored in the dry bin)

Milk/Water: For those who are drinking whole milk and water, it is offered throughout the day. Usually children ask for their cups verbally/nonverbally at this age.

HELPFUL REMINDERS

  • The Care Bears room number is 215-241-7013. Please call if your child will be absent whether due to an illness or just spending the day home.
  • Our day is from 7:30-6:00 (extended care is not offered). We would like for all children to be in by 9:30, so we know how to plan our day.
  • Label all of your child’s belongings: sheet, blanket, pacifiers, bags, clothes, etc. Sometimes things can be misplaced if they are not properly labeled.
  • Write your child’s name on new bags of diapers and wipes when they are brought in. We will try to write names on unlabeled items, but if we get distracted between thinking it and doing it, items can be given to the wrong child.
  • All used bottles, bowls, spoons, etc. will be sent home at the end of each day to be cleaned/sanitized. We do not reuse bottles, so if your child typically uses 3-4 bottles per day please provide us with the appropriate number of bottles.
  • Sheets and blankets will be sent home at the end of your child’s school week to be laundered.
  • Keep in mind we share our “cubby” space. There are only 10 hooks to store 12 children’s belongings. Giant diaper bags tend to take up a lot of space. Reusable grocery bags or canvas bags work best. Make sure your bag is also labeled, this helps minimize belongings making their way into the wrong bag.
  • Prescription medicine needs to be in the original container with your child’s name and dosage on it. Over the counter medicines need to be accompanied by a doctor’s note stating what exactly it is for (teething, fever from shots, etc.), along with proper dosage. Parents will need to fill out a medication log when medicine is brought in.
  • It’s a good idea to be familiar with our sick policy before your child is sent home sick. This helps to prevent misunderstandings when your child does get sick… because they will get sick! Certain symptoms/illnesses may require a doctor’s note for your child to come back to school (rashes, sick for 3 consecutive days, etc.)
  • Please provide us with the best number to contact you during the day in case of illness/emergency.