Infant/Toddler Program

The nurturing environment at NEEC is very welcoming to all infants, toddlers and their families. Every classroom is adapted to meet the individual needs of every child. Our infant/toddler classrooms have no more than eight children in a classroom with a 1:4 ratio. We try to keep consistency with the children’s schedules, following the routine that occurs at home. We provide cribs for all infants and receive consent from families before transitioning the children to small cots. Our teachers work very hard to keep the classrooms sanitized by laundering crib sheets and blankets daily and disinfecting toys with a bleach solution. Children are given many opportunities throughout the day to interact with their peers. Teachers create weekly lesson plans that reflect the children’s interests and focus on a variety of developmental areas including: physical, self-help, cognitive, language, etc. Some examples of activities for infants and toddlers may consist of pudding paint, sensory tubs with water or uncooked pasta, and playing with empty boxes. Toddlers are also introduced to a variety of art materials including crayons, glue and child-safe scissors. All classrooms are allotted one hour per day for outside play, 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. We frequently use a buggy that seats 6 young children (infants or toddlers) that assists us in taking the children outside.

NEEC provides formula and baby food but families are responsible for providing diapers and wipes. Once on table food, NEEC provides a nutritious lunch and two snacks daily. Lunch menus are sent home at the beginning of each month so families can highlight the foods that are appropriate for their child to eat. NEEC has a kitchen manager on staff to distribute the food to all children: making sure to follow all health regulations, being aware of dietary restrictions and food allergies.

Daily notes are sent home with every child that includes information on eating habits, naps, toileting, and activities they participated in. Parents have many opportunities for two-way communication, including biannual Family/Teacher conferences.

Infant/Toddler Classrooms

• Pink Room
• Purple Room
• Green Room
• Red Room