The Toddler Program
(18 months to 2.7 years of age)
Program Options:
- 3 day AM (8:30 AM to 11:15 AM) (Mon, Tues, & Wed OR Wed, Thurs & Fri)
- 5 day AM (8:30 AM to 11:15 AM)
- 5 modified all day (8:30 AM to 3:15 PM)
- 5 all day (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM)
The Toddler Program is year-round and provides an environment for your growing, active, and curious child. The classroom is specifically tailored to support the young child’s physical and emotional development. The prepared Toddler environment offers the following benefits:
- Environment which caters specifically to a Toddler’s critical areas of development; Personality, Trust, Thinking, Problem Solving and Separation.
- Warm, inviting and positive atmosphere with activities which are designed to assist the children in making a positive and purposeful separation from their parents.
- Opportunity to establish new and bonding relationship with other children and adults while engaging in stimulating activities.
Staff
The staff of the Toddler Program is specifically trained to understand and guide the 18 month to 2.7 year old child through their specific transition and development period. The Glen Toddler Program maintains a staff/child ratio of 1:4, ensuring quality, attentive care for your child. In addition, the Toddler staff will assist your child in the following ways:
- Building your child’s independence by allowing them to make their own work choices and allowing uninterrupted work time to build concentration and accomplishment.
- Positive communication and interaction with the child during diaper changing/use of toilet in order to facilitate potty-training skills and awareness as well as independence.
- Discipline based re-direction of energy and remindful repetition rather than negative labeling or accusation.
- Slow, careful movements and soft, direct words in order to build trust and positive communication.
The Montessori Toddler curriculum strives to enhance development in four major areas: movement, independence, language and self-control. This program offers a prepared environment for the very young child, complete with age-specific materials and activities. The Toddler program allows for a smooth transition into the wider world of the 3-6 environment.
Infant/Toddler Calendar
Infants and toddlers follow the school calendar, but “Bridge to Families” days are included in their year-round services. No additional fees will be collected for these days.
Toddler Playground
The toddlers have their own fenced-in and covered playground with a small gym set with cushioned flooring below it, water tables, a sand box, cars, balls and many other playthings just for toddlers. Children go outside everyday weather permitting.
Toddler Transition to Primary Classroom
When toddlers approach the developmental age to transition to a primary classroom, the toddler and teacher will visit the primary classroom. First, they will visit for one hour periods of time. Then the toddler will visit for playtime and naptime. The entire process is gradual and dependent on the level of comfort of the toddler. The teachers wait until the toddler is ready to fully transition, and only then is he or she fully transitioned into his or her primary classroom. This process could take anywhere between a week to a month.
Toddler Enrichment
The toddler classroom offers music and movement classes as well as food tasting. On food tasting days, teachers bring in a variety of foods so the toddlers can taste new foods with their friends and try things that they normally wouldn’t try. This is not only fun, but encourages toddlers to be adventuresome with food and have a more well rounded diet.
In Home Visit
All new families receive a Home Visit where your child’s teacher will come to your home, meet the child and parents, and discuss how the Glen can best meet the needs of your child and family. The Home Visit is a first step for parents and teachers to begin the collaboration that will go on for the next few years. The visit also provides an avenue to learn more in-depth information about the child and be advised of any special needs.