GENERAL:
Children are considered infants from the age of 6 weeks until they are 16/18 months. Infant daily programs are based on each individual schedule, the infant's age, and the amount of time spent in the center. Before admission the Director will have the child's Parent/Guardian(s) fill out forms about the child's eating, sleeping, communication, and comforting habits and needs.

IMMUNIZATION/HEALTH:
A doctor must complete an immunization record. Infants should have their MMR immunizations on or after 15 months. It is the parent's responsibility to keep their child's immunization record up to date. Since our child care center provides care for infants under the age of 1, we have a Public Health Nurse (or Registered Nurse with training or experience in infant care) come to the center monthly to conduct a review.

MEALS:
Parent's need to supply all formula, baby cereal, and solid foods, unless the child is old enough and you would like to order a catered lunch for $1.50 per meal. Written dietary instructions and known allergies will be obtained from each child's family and will be made available to teachers. All baby containers (jars) must come to the center unopened. If you supply your child's own baby food, we require that it be brought in a closed container and labeled with your child's name. We will store any food or formula 24 hours after original opening. All infants will be held during bottle-feeding until they are able to hold their own bottle. Every day your child is in attendance at the center, you will be informed of the amounts and times when your child ate, fell asleep, had a bottle, and when his/her diapers were changed.

SLEEP:
All infants are provided a crib for their sleeping needs. The cribs are separate from the play area and each infant will have his/her own. They are also adequately sized for your child's height and have a mattress and a fitted sheet. Weekly, the sheets, blankets and cribs are washed. Each child's blanket that you bring with your child to the center should be brought home each Friday to be washed.

DIAPERING:
Infants will be changed at least every two hours and kept dry and comfortable at all times. A complete change of clothing needs to be brought from home and stored in each infant's cubby. Your child will be changed only in the diaper area and it will be disinfected after each use. The soiled diapers are kept in a closed container. This closed container is cleaned daily and is kept out of range from the children. All diapers, wipes and ointment are provided by the parent(s).

PROGRAM:
The infant room has materials and equipment that will foster each child's development physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. The environment stimulates each infant's five senses, which will allow the children to taste, smell, see, touch and listen. Your child is held, cuddled, played with, and talked to each day. Infants (walkers) are allowed freedom of movement during a large portion of their waking hours. The non-creepers and crawlers spend most of their time on the clean, carpeted floor or large blanket.