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 The Toddler program at Small World Country Day School is a year round, full day program with the option to bring your child 2 to 5 days per week. Child to teacher ratios are 6:1 - with a maximum class size of twelve to provide for optimal social interaction, while allowing the teachers much one on one time with each child.
Toddlers come in all shapes and sizes! Some are a bit wobbly on two legs and are just beginning to explore the world from an upright position. Others have mastered walking and are now use running as their main way of transporting themselves all around the room. Some children are a bit more sophisticated as they approach three years old and they are focusing on language and chatter all day long. They are often identified by their use of the standard "why" question.
Our nursery program is based on the RIE (Resources For Infant Educators) philosophy that allows our children to grow and develop at their own pace. RIE helps raise children to be confident, aware, focused, cooperative and resourceful. This philosophy is firmly based on respect and individuality. Some of the goals of the RIE philosophy are:
- Safety - to provide an environment for the child that is physically safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing
- Involvement - to provide the child involvement in all care activities (allowing them to be an active participant rather than a passive recipient)
- Interaction - basic trust in the child to be an initiator, explorer and self-learner
- Consistency - clearly defined limits and expectations to develop discipline
- Freedom - to explore and interact with other infants and have time for uninterrupted play
- Communication - the beginning of language development and the building block for security, trust and attachment
For more information about the RIE philosophy, please visit the website at www.rie.org.
 The developmental needs of toddlers are different from our younger infants and our older pre-school age children. With this in mind all of our classrooms, materials and daily routine reflect the unique needs of toddlers. The program is carefully planned to meet the needs of children who are coming together for the first time. The toddler program emphasizes and encourages language development, uninterrupted playtime and socializing with others. Large and small motor activities are also planned where children can "practice" being independent.
In order to meet the needs of our Toddlers, we have created a Young Toddler classroom and an Older Toddler classroom. Each of these classrooms offers the following:
- Classroom activities designed to encourage language development & socialization
- Large and small muscle activities are planned within a safe and warm environment where children can "practice" being independent
- Children participate in toilet training and other self-help skills as part of the daily program
- 2 nutritious meals and 3 yummy snacks are provided daily
- Activities include drawing, ‘reading’, music class, moving and joyful dancing
- Flexible schedules - choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 days a week to attend (full days only)
- Every week Toddlers participate in a Music class and American Sign Language in addition to their classroom activities
- Daily use of our well-planned, exciting and developmentally-appropriate infant/toddler playground
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