Infant/Toddler Programs

Seton Hill Child Services' Infant/Toddler programs serve children birth to three years of age. An "infant" room cares for children ages birth to approximately 18-20 months. A "toddler" room cares for children approximately 18-36 months of age. Infant/Toddler staff maintain ratios according to DPW regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.

• Infant Room
  Because of the different feeding and napping schedules of each infant, the daily routine revolves around the children. There is always time for age-appropriate play, verbal communication, nursery rhymes, songs, and an outdoor experience, along with the usual diapering, feeding, rocking, and loving care of the infants.
  
  
• Toddler Room
  The toddler room provides more planned activities designed to meet the challenging needs of a growing toddler. These planned activities foster cognitive, physical, and social skills. The toddler may enjoy dolls and dishes, blocks and small trucks, puzzles and beads, and an art activity such as finger-painting. The center staff also plan learning experiences for small groups of toddlers according to the children's developmental needs. Through these experiences, children will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-concept, learn self-help skills, and feel secure and well loved.
  
  

The following are activities provided in a toddler classroom (order of activities may vary from center to center based on children's needs):

1. Parent Sign-In and Daily Health Check
   
   
2. Morning Snack - Served family-style
   
   
3. Body Management - Planned activity to develop gross motor skills (cruising, crawling, moving limbs, and walking)
   
   
4. Children's Work Time - A variety of age-appropriate experiences are provided from which a child may choose
   
   
5. Small Group - (Toddler Room Only) - Pre-planned activity for a small group of children
   
   
6. Outdoor or Large Muscle Activity - Required daily (outside activities are weather permitting)
   
   
7. Transition - Stories, songs, finger plays
   
   
8. Lunch - Served family-style, brush teeth
   
   
9. Quiet Time
   
   
10. Departure
    
    

**Bathrooming/Diaper Changing - are handled regularly and as needed throughout the day.

Toilet Training
Toilet training, like learning to talk and walk, is a task that a child cannot successfully undertake until s/he has grown physiologically to the point of being ready for it. When the child is ready and the parent initiates the process, Seton Hill Child Services staff will reinforce proper toilet training techniques. Parents should meet with the teacher and establish a consistent method of toilet training. Successful toilet training requires the Combined Efforts of parent and staff.