Welcome to the Infant Room!

The Infant Room is for children ages 12 weeks to 12 months.

You may notice that there are several things that Small Savers may do a little differently than other centers. Most of these differences revolve around our Montessori pedagogy. We believe that each baby is an individual and develops at their own pace.

The Infant room has one Lead certified Montessori teacher and two Assistant teachers. We have a max of twelve children in the environment. We operate under a primary caregiver system. Each teacher is primarily responsible for three children, though we all care for every child. Your child's primary caregiver, however, is more in tune with your child and will track his or her daily progress through written reports.

When you have specific concerns or questions regarding your child, feel free to talk with your child's primary caregiver first. Keep in mind that the Infant Room staff works as a team, and the other teachers can help you as well.

Infant Room Teachers

Feeding

The teachers in the Infant Room recognize that many families value the continuation of breastfeeding through the first year. Our teachers understand the challenges that working mothers who continue to breastfeed face, and they are extremely supportive. They take extra care in handling pumped breastmilk, assist in organizing frozen breastmilk in the Infant Room freezer, call nursing moms for feedings if requested, and provide rocking chairs for moms who come to breastfeed during the day.

Another big difference between Small Savers and other centers is that we do not put children into positions they cannot put themselves into. For example, we would not leave a child sitting up who could not get into that position alone. We do not use "boppies" or other infant chairs, swings, or bouncy seats. We understand that children can better learn about their environment when allowed to use their bodies to explore.

When it comes to bottle-feeding, we never allow children to eat while in the supine (on their back) position. Their Eustachian Tubes are not fully developed (i.e., they are smaller and more horizontal than adult Eustachian Tubes), and drinking in this fashion can sometimes contribute to ear infections. We keep all infants at a 45-degree angle while feeding. While we encourage infants to hold their bottles, we never leave them unattended with a bottle.

Napping

At Small Savers, we believe in the importance of sleep. For infants to grow and thrive, they need to be well-rested. While all infants know how to sleep, they often do not know how to fall asleep or stay asleep. We help the children learn how to fall asleep in their cribs by rubbing their backs or gently rocking the cribs. We do not put children to sleep on their bottles, in the rocking chairs, or the pen. We do not wake the children for anything but a fire drill or an emergency. Therefore, we ask that you do the same. If you would like to come for a visit, we are more than happy to call you when your child wakes up.

If your child takes a pacifier, please be aware that we only allow the children to use pacifiers in their cribs when they are going to sleep or on walks. We believe that children (with our assistance) can learn to soothe themselves and should not become dependent on the pacifier. Also, when they are in the pen, it is too tempting for their friends to grab it out of their mouths!

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to us about them. We want you to feel comfortable leaving your child in our care.

Communicating about your baby

We have an open-door policy and encourage you to visit throughout the day. While we do not require you to call before coming, you may want to call ahead to make sure your child is awake.

During your child's first few days in the Infant Room -- as well as periods of changing development -- your baby's routine may vary considerably. We appreciate flexibility in meeting your baby's needs and will do everything possible to ensure that your baby is happy and content. We will call and consult with you whenever our normal interventions and support are not working or if your baby doesn't seem "quite herself.”

In the Infant Room, we use several methods to ensure clear communication regarding your child’s needs:

  • Clipboards: When you arrive in the morning or leave at the end of the day, we strongly encourage you to write notes for your child's Primary Caregiver on the small clipboards located at the end of the counter. Please let us know when your child last ate, and last slept, if you will be visiting during the day and when, and your approximate pick-up time. Also, please note if your child has any special instructions, prescriptions, doctor's appointments, or a change in mood that we should be aware of. Even though you are writing this on your Primary Caregiver's sheet, every teacher reads and is familiar with your child's schedule.

  • Daily Reports: We keep track of your baby's information regarding napping, bottles, eating (how much, when, and which types of foods), walks, and fire drills. At the end of the day, your child's Primary Caregiver will write a brief synopsis of your baby's day.

  • Signs/Email: For any meetings, health alerts, potluck events, etc., we will post signs on the front and back doors of the Center for parents to read. Our room parents will also communicate this information in their class emails.

Infant Room Schedule

Each child's daily activity is based on his or her evolving pattern of playing, eating, and sleeping. We follow the child, just like Maria Montessori; when the child is hungry, sleepy, or needs a hug, we meet that need. Everything is "on demand." There are no set schedules in the Infant Room.

Transitioning In

When starting at Small Savers, it is beneficial for children and parents to spend time together in the classroom. This gives us a chance to get to know you and your child, as well as for you to get to know us -- allowing you to feel more comfortable leaving your child in our care. It is up to each family to determine how much transition time is needed. We realize that transition times may also hinge on your work schedule(s).  Children should be able to drink from a bottle before they start.

Montessori work for infants at Small Savers Montessori daycare

What to Bring

Please make sure everything is clearly labeled.  Each child has designated areas for his/her belongings. If we need to change your child's clothing, the dirty clothing will be tied in a plastic bag and placed in your cubby to be picked up at the end of the day. Please make sure all clothing fits and is appropriate for the weather. Please refrain from bringing in clothing or other items that you would not want to get stained or lost. Also, note that Small Savers is a peanut-free Center, so please refrain from bringing any nut products into the center or any of its classrooms.

Supplies

  • 1 tube or tub of the diaper ointment that you prefer to be used on your child

  • 2 crib sheets

  • 2 changes of clothes and socks

  • 3 bibs (minimum)

  • 2 extra cans of formula (1 for the cabinet, 1 for the emergency backpack)

  • 2 extra bottles (1 for the cabinet, 1 for the emergency backpack)

  • Outdoor wear (jackets, hats, etc.)

  • 2 pacifiers (if applicable)

  • Jar food (when applicable)

  • Cereal (when applicable)

  • Sippy cup (when applicable)

  • Optional: Sunscreen (with pediatrician's note for your infant under 12 months)

Note: Parents are welcome to store breast milk in both the refrigerator (for that day) as well as in the freezer. Please remember to label all of these items.

Dropping-Off and Picking-Up

Please always wash your hands when you enter the Infant Room.

Safety regulations require all parents to sign their child "in" and "out" on the attendance clipboard. The clipboard contains information about every child in the Center, and it is extremely important (especially for fire drills) that we have an accurate count of all children. Also, if you know that you will be visiting with your child for a bit before you depart, please sign your child "out" when you arrive instead of waiting to do so when you leave. Staff begins leaving at 4:30p but can only do so when teacher-to-child ratios are within requirements. We consider all children "in attendance" until they are signed out -- even if you're at the Center with your child. 

We ask that all parents change their baby's diaper when they arrive. This allows us to remain in the pen and provide emotional support to the babies whose parents are preparing to leave for the day. You will find diapers, rolled changing table paper, and plastic bags (for dirty diapers, wipes, and changing paper, or soiled clothing) at the changing stations. When you are finished changing your child's diaper, place every item (the diaper, wipes, and paper) into a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash can. You can wash your younger infant's hands with a baby wipe or your older infant's hands at the sink. Spray the mat with the bleach solution, let it air dry, and wash your hands at the sink. We ask that you place your child in the pen before handling the bleach solution. 

Please fill out your child's section on their Primary Caregiver's clipboard. Note times when your child last ate and last slept. Let us know if you plan on visiting that day and when, and your approximate pick-up time. It is extremely helpful in planning our day if we know about upcoming absences or variations from your usual schedule. Please call us early in the morning if your child will be out for that day or will be arriving late. If we do not hear from you by 10:00 a.m., we will try to reach you to confirm that your child will be out that day. Also, if you will be picking up your child later or earlier than the time you specified, please give us a call to let us know.

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