All infants are on individual schedules as dictated by each child’s parents and physician.

Infant caregivers are required to follow the individual schedule for: feeding, napping, and diapering. As changes occur in the infant’s schedule, parents are required to provide those changes in writing on an Intake Update form. This update is required at least every two months.

Each infant must have several opportunities daily for individual attention of the childcare providers. When feeding and diapering, caregivers are encouraged to use this one-on-one time as an opportunity to interact with the infant. Singing, talking to, and playing with the infant are encouraged and expected. Each child must receive daily doses of physical contact from his/her caregivers.

A Developmental Curriculum for Infants is available to assist staff in identifying activities that are age appropriate to participate in with infants. Activity manuals are available in the Infant Rooms that detail activities appropriate for each stage of an infant’s ability level.

Infant and Toddler Care Schedule

General Requirements:

1. Prior to admission, the Center Director/Caregiver meets with the parent(s) to obtain written information that will aid our staff in providing care similar to the routine provided at home by the child’s parents. Including:
   
   a. Schedule of meals and feeding.
   b. Types of food introduced and timetable for introducing new foods.
   c. Toileting or diapering procedures.
   d. Sleep and nap schedule.
   e. Child’s form of communicating, being comforted, etc.
   f. Development and health history.
   
   
2. Form CFS-61 (Intake Information for Child Under 2 Years) are kept in the room where the child is to be cared for, so as to provide easy access for the staff's information.
   
   
3. Every 2 months, parents and staff discuss the child’s development and routines. Any revisions are noted by the parent on an Intake Update form, dated and signed.
   
   
4. Each group of infants and toddlers shall have one regularly assigned teacher to care for them, to provide a consistent and stable environment.
   
   
5. The regularly assigned childcare teacher in each group shall have a minimum 12 hours of training specifically related to infant and toddler care.
   
   
6. Infants and toddlers have their own designated rooms. The teachers are permitted to take children on “visits” to other areas of the center as long as they can be properly supervised and are only exposed to equipment and materials suitable for their age.

Daily Program:

1. Children are allowed to form and follow their own pattern of awake and asleep periods.
   
   
2. Activities involving play are emphasized as they provide learning and growth opportunities.
   
   
3. Each child at Bright Beginnings will receive individual physical contact/attention including being held, rocked, read to, talked to, sung to and taken on walks.
   
   
4. Routines of bedtimes, feedings, diapering and toileting are used as opportunities for language development, social, emotional, physical and cognitive learning experiences.
   
   
5. While a non-walking child is awake, the childcare worker shall change the child’s position and location periodically.
   
   
6. Walking children shall be given opportunities each day to move freely through their area.
   
   
7. A variety of safe toys and objects are provided to encourage mobility, hand-eye coordination, thinking and small motor development, etc. All toys are sanitized after individual children play and chew on them, using a mild solution of bleach and water. All toys are run through our dishwasher/sanitizer each night as well.
   
   
8. Infants and toddlers are allowed to go outdoors, except in extreme weather conditions, or if your physician recommends they don’t go outside.
   
   
9. Each infant room is equipped with adult sized seating for each childcare worker.
   
   
10. Individual cribs and rest mats are provided for each infant and toddler in our program. We also provide the bedding and launder it at least weekly or sooner.

Feeding:

1. Each infant is fed according to his/her own feeding schedule.
   
2. Food/formula brought from home is labeled with child's name, dated and refrigerated if necessary.
   
3. Bright Beginnings Childcare Services, Inc., does not provide diapers or wipes.
   
4. Bright Beginnings will provide one type of iron-fortified infant formula and all solid foods the child is developmentally ready to eat.
5. When formula is discontinued, Bright Beginnings Childcare Services, Inc., provides Grade A vitamin D milk for children over one year of age. Grade A vitamin D whole milk will be provided for children under one year of age when recommended by the child’s physician, and a written note provided.
   
6. Leftover milk/formula is discarded after each feeding and bottles are sanitized in our dishwasher.
   
7. Drinking water is offered to infants and toddlers several times daily.
   
8. Children who are not able to hold their own bottle are held when fed. Bright Beginnings Childcare Services, Inc., does not allow bottles to be propped under any circumstances.
   
9. Any opened baby food is labeled, dated and refrigerated. If not used the following day, it is discarded.
   
10. When formula is prepared by the center, we’re required to follow manufacturer’s expiration time frame.
    
11. Infants too young to sit in a highchair for feeding are placed in an infant seat. Wide-based highchairs with safety straps are provided for those children developmentally able to sit on their own.
    
12. Infants and toddlers are encouraged to experiment with self-feeding using their hands and spoons. Cups, spoons, etc. are scaled to the size and developmental level of children.
    
13. Bright Beginnings Childcare Services, Inc., provides a variety of nourishing foods for the children on table food including cereal, vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat according to the child’s developmental level and the parents’ feeding schedule, except that no child is forced to eat. (It is extremely important to make us aware of any allergies your child may have).

Diapering and Toileting Procedures:

1. Wet and soiled diapers and clothes are changed promptly.
   
   
2. Each child is required to have a few extra sets of clothes to be used when clothes become wet or soiled.
   
   
3. Each child is changed every two hours on our changing mats that are made of a smooth non-porous surface. They are cleaned with a germicidal solution before and after each use.
   
   
4. Only disposable diapers will be used at Bright Beginnings. Diapers, wipes and creams will need to be provided by the parents. Soiled diapers and the worn gloves are placed in a plastic-lined covered container.
   
   
5. Soiled diapers are removed from containers as needed, or at least daily. Containers are washed and disinfected each day.
   
   
6. Soiled clothing is placed in a plastic bag and sent home with the parent at the end of the day.
   
   
7. All childcare workers involved in diapering are required to wash their hands with soap and running water before and after each diapering or assist with toileting. Gloves are required to be worn during the diapering or toileting procedure.
   
   
8. Any application of powders, lotions, etc., requested and provided by the parents must be accompanied by our permission slip as to exact application and time. Each slip will be posted in the cupboard by the child’s diapers.
   
   
9. Each infant or toddler room at Bright Beginnings has a sink with hot and cold running water available at all times.
   
   
10. Each child is washed with a disposable diaper wipe at each diaper change, regardless if the child was wet or soiled.
    

Download Infant & Toddler Curriculum. You will need to download Adobe Acrobat reader here to view document.

Download Infant & Toddler Curriculum