Toddlers

Miss Kathy’s Toddler and Pre-School Program

My toddler program is designed to offer children between the ages 18 months through 3 years of age the opportunity to participate in, language development, art, music and rhythm, dramatic play, building and construction, sand and water activities, arts and crafts, play doh, puzzles, finger painting, numbers ,colors and so much more. I use two preschool programs, one is through Fun-Steps at www.funsteps.com and my second is through Carols Curriculum at www.CarolsCurriculum.com a Christian based Curriculum called Little Disciples. Their activities will be easy and simple to create while they are using their imagination and having fun. The toddlers will be working on projects that are almost the same as what the preschoolers work on each day. Hence, the preschool program activities and the toddler program activities can relate to each other. When they reach the age of two I use ABCmouse.com as another learning tool it is a great program online for children ages 2 and up. The children learn and have a lot of fun with this program. Please visit it at www.ABCmouse.com it is great learning program for at home also. We also have holidays and birthday’s parties.

We enjoy our outside play when the weather permits at least two times a day. Our outside activities include sand and water play, ball playing, bean bag games and free play. Outside safety is always taking into consideration and a main priority for my little ones so I do not provide swing sets, teeter totters or large outdoor swimming pools, all my outside play equipment has been approved by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Lesson planes include free choice and provider directed activities. However toddlers are free to choose their own fun. Listed below are examples of the activities that a toddler may choose during the day. Toddlers are allowed to play freely in the playroom. Playpens and highchairs will not be used to restrict a child’s exploration and movement during playtime.

Music:

Music, including songs, dances and finger plays will be provided routinely.

Art:

Toddlers are introduced to a variety of mediums for creating their own art. Finger paints, large crayons are an example of materials that I provide. Don’t expect finished products at this age. Toddlers do not understand the beginning, middle and the end concept and are more interested in how things work. Remember: it is the process that is very important at this age, not what it looks like when they are finished with it. I will offer lots of activities that even parents can help and interact with their children in.

Group Time:

Group times are designed to attract the children to participate as a group. At group time we may, read, sing songs, do art activities or play games. No child is ever forced to join in the group only encouraged to.

Dramatic Play:

Dramatic Play encourages children to engage in play that helps them use their imagination, mimic adult actions, and to experiment with other children in social situations. Props for dramatic play are provided by in the forms of adult clothing such as hats, ties, shoes, and jewelry and some outfits such as doctor, fireman and police. dolls, phones, playhouse and kitchen sets will use also. Children really enjoy their dress up time. Some days we will have a cookie day where we will bake cookies and feel like real chefs or use play vacuum cleaners to clean.

Literature:

Stories that are funny and short, poems and rhymes will be shared with my toddlers. Children will begin to answer to and respond to questions which begin increasing their comprehension and reasoning skills as well as their as well as their attention span. I offer a variety of books for reading. Books that tell stories, sound sounds and for just looking at the pictures.

Manipulatives:

Small toys designed to develop small muscles and hand/eye coordination are available for free play and exploration. I offer legos, simple puzzles, nesting cups, beads and laces, stacking blocks and dolls for teaching how to button up clothing and tying shoes.

Items to bring from home:

• Diapers (large pack if possible).
• Diaper wipes (large pack if possible).
• Two changes of clothing.
• Comfort Items- such as a favorite stuffed animal or blanket etc.

Meal Time:

I am currently enrolled in a USDA Child Care Food Program in which I am inspected four times a year. All parents/gardens must complete a child enrollment form if your child is under the age of 5 years. Nutrition is a very important in a child’s growth and development. As your child’s provider I will only serve hot nutritious meals and snacks which meet USDA requirements in meeting the necessary goals for your child. I offer breakfast, lunch, dinner for children in my care after 5pm and two snacks a day. As a parent you may decline this offer and bring your own food for your child. If you choose to bring your child’s food the container (lunch box) must be labeled with your child’s name on it. This schedule will be modified as your child’s nutritional needs, and eating patterns change. Monthly meal menues are posted on the playroom wall for parents to see.

• We will have cake and special treats for special occasions such as birthday parties and holidays.
• I will offer Organic Milk and whole foods not processed foods. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and whole grain breads. Water will be served with every meal along with their milk.
• All meals and snacks will be prepared for the toddlers to prevent chocking hazards.
• All toddlers will be encouraged to try new foods but will not be forced to eat them.
• Whole organic milk will be offered to the children unless parents prefer regular whole milk.
• Second helpings will be offered to the children if they ask or show a desire for more.
• I will encourage my toddler to develop self feeding skills and use toddler drinking cups.
• The children will never be forced to eat or drink everything that is served to them.
• All my high chairs and booster seats are safety certified through the state. All children will be buckled in at meal times for their own safety and will never be left alone.

The appetites of small children very tend to vary as their growth and development stages change. Most children know when they are hungry and they are full. And your little one will be fed accordingly to growth and development needs. If your child has special needs please do not hesitate to let me know. If your child has any type of food allergy please obtain a statement from your child’s doctor listing all the foods to be avoided. A typical example is milk. The federal guidelines require that milk be severed to the children at each meal service unless there is a doctor’s statement on file indicating that the child should not be served milk.

Illnesses:

Illness is inevitable at some point. I will do everything possible to reduce and prevent the sped of germs, but please realize that not all germs can be removed from all areas. Toys are washed and sanitized , noises are wiped as needed, and the providers and children’s hands are washed frequently. Disinfectant spray is routinely applied to all services (such as water and bleach and Lysol spray after the children have left for the day. Air purifiers are located in the playroom and sleep room to help just in case of any airborne viruses, dust and mold in the air. For more information in regards to illnesses please see Miss Kathy’s Polices under (If your child is ill or becomes ill). A child’s safety and health is a top priority in my childcare home. If your child becomes ill during the day you the parent /guardian will notify at once and asked to pick up the child as soon as possible. Mean while I will do everything possible to make the child as comfortable as possible until they are picked up.

Nap Time:

All my toddlers will gradually be weaned out of their pack and plays to a Regalo portable cot bed. You may bring your child a favorite blanket and stuffed animal if you choose. Cots are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basses. All children will be assigned their own cot with their names on them. The room temperature will always be kept at a comfortable temperature for the children and adjusted for the seasons. Sometimes at nap time I will play soothing music (classical) to help the children relax to sleep.

Manners:

All the toddlers and pre-school children will be taught manners, respect, consideration, and gentleness, honesty, kindness with boundaries and limits with lots of love. I believe all children need these things in order to feel secure and loved and to develop into all that I know they can be in life.