Diapers and wipes are provided as are all linens. All bottles and food for infants are kept in refrigerators that are for the exclusive use of the infant room. We encourage our parents to spend time getting to know the caregivers in the classroom and to provide us with as much information about their baby’s schedule, favorite activities, and their special remedies for soothing their baby. Based upon their developmental level, some children in this classroom continue to eat in high chairs while others transition to eat in a small chair at a size appropriate table. They are learning to feed themselves their own food with their fingers and they are transitioning from taking naps in cribs to napping on a cot. There is a general time during the day that is dedicated for naps from 12:30 until 2:30 pm each day. However, we understand that many of the older infants will require either an additional morning or afternoon nap or both. We have designed the general napping schedule to ease the transition to the next class wherein all of the children take one nap a day during the general nap time.

            As the name of this classroom implies, the children in this classroom are very energetic and busy unless there are asleep. Our Busy Bees classroom has been designed with this in mind as it is staffed one teacher for every four children and there is a large gated area filled with toys for the children’s enjoyment and exploration. We have set up an environment for these older infants in a manner that allows them to learn more about themselves, greet their friends with big smiles, opportunities to play independently, in pairs, or in small groups, and to “read” books or have books read to them. The main focus of this room is to foster a smooth transition from very young infancy to older infancy through encouraged and guided exploration in a warm and safe environment.

            A visitor to the classroom might observe these very young children singing songs, listening to stories, enjoying art and sensory activities, and exploratory play with safe, developmentally appropriate toys. They are also provided time to play with balls and other toys outside.