Our Infant and Toddler Program at Kids Cottage is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for the youngest members of our community. Operating from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, our extended hours are designed to accommodate the diverse schedules of busy families.
In our Infant and Toddler Program, we prioritize individualized care to support the unique needs of each child. Our experienced and dedicated staff focuses on creating a warm and secure atmosphere where infants and toddlers can explore, learn, and grow. We offer age-appropriate activities that promote sensory exploration, language development, and motor skills.
Infant Program
Our Infant Program is a specially designed space where we cater to the unique needs of your little one from 4 months until their first birthday. Our program is crafted with care to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment during these crucial early stages of development.
In our infant room, we maintain a low teacher-to-child ratio of 1:4, ensuring that each baby receives individualized attention and care. Our experienced and attentive teachers are committed to creating a warm and secure atmosphere, fostering a sense of trust and comfort for both infants and parents.
Infant Feeding
At Kids Cottage, we prioritize the nutritional needs of our youngest learners. Our feeding policy is designed to ensure a safe, nurturing, and individualized approach to infant nutrition.
- Individualized Feeding: We understand that every child is unique, and we tailor our feeding practices to meet the individual needs and preferences of each child. Infants are fed based on their cues for hunger, fullness, and parent provided feeding schedule.
- Parent Provided Bottles: Parents are requested to provide premade bottles for their child. Whether it’s formula or breast milk, we’re here to support your chosen feeding method. We can also keep a fresh, unopened canister of formula in the classroom for emergencies.
- Feeding Schedule Updates: To maintain consistency between home and our classroom, parents are required to update their child’s feeding schedule once a month. This is a form that we will give to you to fill out each month. This information helps us ensure that we are meeting each child’s individual needs and preferences.
- Breast Milk Handling: For mothers who choose to give their children breast milk, we have the capability to store frozen breast milk at the center. Our staff follows licensing guidelines to ensure the safety and integrity of stored breast milk.
- Introduction of Soft Foods: With parental permission, we can start introducing soft foods at 4 months to support the transition from liquid to solid nutrition. Our experienced staff is trained to monitor and guide infants through this developmental milestone.
Infant Sleep Practices
During rest time, we prioritize the individual needs and natural rhythms of each child. Embracing the uniqueness of every infant, our nap time routine is centered around their own sleep schedule. We adhere to Safe Sleep Practices, ensuring a secure environment by placing infants on their backs to sleep and maintaining cribs free of soft bedding. To enhance the comfort of their nap, parents are kindly requested to provide a crib sheet, adding a familiar touch to their designated sleeping space. Additionally, we offer the option for parents to bring a sleep sack, providing an extra layer of comfort and warmth for their little ones. Our dedicated staff is attuned to the cues of each infant, creating a peaceful and personalized nap time experience that aligns with the practices and preferences established by each family.
Toddler Program
Our Toddler Program at Kids Cottage caters to the dynamic developmental stage of children 12 to 24 months. Our program is thoughtfully divided into three nurturing spaces: two rooms dedicated to younger toddlers and one room tailored for the older toddlers. Each room serves a lively space where our skilled educators foster the building of fundamental skills and encourage newfound self-help skills. Our experienced staff is dedicated to creating a stimulating atmosphere where toddlers can play and learn at their own pace.
Toddler Snacks and Meals
As part of our toddler program, we kindly ask parents to provide snacks and lunch for their children. To ensure a safe environment for all, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Labeling: All containers, including lunchboxes, snack boxes, and individual items should be clearly labeled with your child’s name.
- No Heating of Food: Please note that we do not have the capability to heat up food in the classrooms. If you would like to pack a warm lunch for your child, please use a thermos.
- Use of Ice Packs: To maintain freshness and safety of perishable items, we require parents to include an ice pack in their child’s lunchbox. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to refrigerate lunch boxes.
We ask parents to pack a morning snack, a healthy lunch, and an afternoon snack for their child each day. We emphasize the importance of nutritious and well-balanced meals, ensuring that snacks and lunches align with the Delaware Office of Childcare Licensing regulations.
Toddler Rest Time
We understand the importance of naptime for the overall wellbeing of our toddlers. The duration of rest time is approximately two hours, and the specific timing is adjusted based on the schedule of each individual classroom.
To ensure a comfortable rest environment, we provide soft nap mats for the children. Parents are required to provide a crib sheet and a blanket for their child’s use during rest time. This allows for a personalized and familiar sleeping space that aligns with each child’s preferences and needs.
Diapering
Diapers are changed every two hours or more frequently if needed, ensuring the comfort and hygiene of each child. Parents are kindly requested to keep diapers and wipes stocked in their child’s classroom, ensuring that we can promptly attend to their needs.
Personal Belongings
Each child will be provided with their personal cubby. These cubbies serve as a convenient and organized way for children to manage their belongings, including a backpack, spare clothes, and naptime supplies. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Therefore, please do not allow your child to bring personal items, such as toys from home. We have plenty of toys for them to play with.