Infant’s Program Philosophy
Welcome to the Kids Inn Infant Program. The infants enrolled in this program range from ages 6 weeks to approximately 15 months. In the infant program we believe the most important quality is LOVE for the children; we will rock a child that is having a sad day and cuddle your crying baby. In caring and positive attitudes we create a warm and happy place for infants to thrive and learn. Our staff is attentive and dedicated to your infant’s needs throughout the day. We offer a colorful environment, soft and easily sanitized toys, and music that will foster your infant’s curiosity and creativity. We do our very best to accommodate the rapid changes and demands of your infants first year and build confidence into their transition to toddler age.
Learning takes place at the very beginning of an infant’s life. Our dedication to helping infants learn is an important part of caring for them. We understand that infants learn differently than older children and offer activities that are tailored for their special needs. Teacher – Infant interaction is very important, we are constantly singing, talking, cooing, rocking, playing, and bonding with your infant. We interact using floor toys, mirrors, books, baby gyms, and encourage tummy time, stretching, and exploring. We build your infant’s sensory development through touching, feeling, and listening. Talking with your infant during simple care giving activities such as feeding, diapering, and holding fosters their language development. Smiling with your infant helps them to learn to trust others while away from their parent. Through simple games like peek-a-boo our loving teachers begin the foundational work for later learning and help develop your infant’s motor skills.
The staff in the infant program understands the important role that communication plays in supporting infant needs. A complete record of infant care will be made available at the end of each day, which includes details of diapering, sleeping, eating, and any milestones reached. We know it is a very overwhelming transition time for parents. We work hard to encourage and establish a positive and productive relationship with families. We never forget that you are your infant’s most important teacher. Parent involvement and feedback is always welcome.
Every moment with an infant is precious and we take full advantage of that.
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Useful Parent Information:
Supply List:
- Diapers - Please supply one package of diapers. A 48 hour notice will be given when our supply is almost out.
- Wipes – Please supply one package of wipes. A 48 hour notice will be given when our supply is almost out.
- Diaper Ointment/ Powder – If an ointment/ powder permission form is filled out, you may bring in a tube of ointment/ powder in its original package to be applied at diaper changes.
- Iron Fortified Formula – Kids Inn provides one brand of iron fortified formula. If you choose not to use the brand we offer it will be your responsibility to provide an iron fortified formula for your infant. If your child cannot be fed an iron fortified formula a doctor’s note must be supplied and you are responsible to provide a non-iron formula.
- Iron Fortified Cereal – Kids Inn provides one brand of iron fortified cereal. If you choose not to use the brand we offer it will be your responsibility to provide an iron fortified formula for your infant. If your child cannot be fed an iron fortified cereal a doctor’s note must be supplied and you are responsible to provide a non-iron cereal.
- Breast Milk -
- Bibs – Please supply 5 bibs.
- Bottles/ Sippy cups – Please supply at least 3 bottles, we are able to pre-make formula and refrigerate it. If your infant is old enough you may also supply a sippy cup.
- Pacifier – If your child uses a pacifier, please bring in 2. One to be kept as a backup.
- Extra Clothes – Your child’s cubby should be stocked with seasonably appropriate clothing.
- Sheet – Please supply 2 crib sheets. One will be kept as backup.
Feedings:
Feedings are on an “on demand” basis for younger infants, unless otherwise noted. We cuddle your infant while feeding. They will never be left unattended with a bottle, put in their crib with a bottle, and we do not prop bottles. Older infants who are on solid foods will be fed breakfast, lunch and snack according to the schedule you provide. When they are able, they will be transitioned to our daily snack and lunch schedule.
Sleeping:
We put the infants down to sleep when they are tired and they wake up on their own. We will never wake a sleeping infant, with the exception of fire drill or other emergency situations, unless otherwise instructed by the parent. The infants are always put down to sleep on their backs.
Diapering:
The infants are changed every two hours, earlier if needed. You may bring in diaper ointment or powder if a permission form has been filled out and it is in its original container. We will give you a 48 hour notice when your infant is running low on diapers and wipes.
Tummy Time:
We encourage tummy time for brief periods of time a couple times a day. During tummy time infants work their muscles and gross motor skills by learning to push up on their arms. Eventually they will learn to crawl from this position. It is an important step for their development process.
Infant Program Skills:
The materials in this room are designed for self discovery and exploration by allowing the infant to use all of their senses. Infants learn by mouthing, feeling, listening and watching. Textured manipulatives, and in and out toys are examples. The infant room is set up to allow freedom to develop their physical as well as their intellectual skills. There are toys for pushing and pulling, climbing, hand transfers, and room for movement. Below is a list of specific skills and some examples of how we work with your infant to develop them:
- Gross Motor – baby exercise, tummy time, “pull-up” bar, rolling a ball, shaking a rattle, stacking toys, etc
- Fine Motor – grasping a rattle or small toy, picking up foods, opening and closing objects, banging on drums, tearing paper, etc
- Language – reading (story time), singing, and talking, describing, and labeling during simple care giving activities
- Sign Language –enhance communication through introducing simple signs such as; more, please, all done, thank you, sleep, eat, drink, etc
- Cognitive - “brain games” like peek-a-boo and hide and go seek, toys that make noise, singing songs or nursery rhymes with movements, story time, etc
The infants are never left in one place or position for longer than 30 minutes, unless they are sleeping.
