INFANT & TODDLER CLASSES * AGES 6 weeks to 24 months old. * Open 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.	FRIENDSHIP CLASS *AGES 2 to 3 Years old. *OPEN 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. *Pacifiers & Bottles Not Recommended.
FRIENDSHIP CORNER is dedicated to the children and parents we serve each day. Our goal is to provide the best care for your child in the safest and healthiest surroundings possible. Because you entrust us with the care of your child, we continually take extra steps to ensure their well being. This extra effort by our caregivers and teachers is a sign of our commitment to provide the best care for your child. The developmental stages that each child grows through will be enhanced each day with many educational activities. We at FRIENDSHIP CORNER perceive how a baby's understanding of the world develops. We believe that infants, toddlers and 2's are active participants in their own developmental stages. Our professional caregivers and teachers provide physical and emotional security for each child and help each child to know, accept and take pride in herself or himself and to develop a sense of independence. We also help each child feel accepted in the group, assist children in learning to communicate and get along with others, and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults. Our caregivers provide a supportive environment in which children can begin to learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors as individuals and as a group. The professional caregivers at FRIENDSHIP CORNER aid in the development of infants andd toddlers in a well rounded, structured setting. To learn to talk, your child nddes to be talked to. To learn about love and security, a child needs to be cuddled and cared for gently. To learn about the world, a child needs to see, hear, smell and touch. Your infant and toddler always needs to be loved. Routines help your child adjust to this new world. The envoironment within the classrooms are conducive to the development of Psychosocial, Cognitive, Language, Gross-Motor, Fine-Motor and Prosocial areas. To do this, we focus on the following ideals; Young children learn through the leisurely handling of age appropriate objects. It is important to have toys and materials that can be used in a variety of ways, and to allow each child time to be uninterruptedly self-sufficient. We speak to the children and offer suitably sturdy books with colorful pictures. We provide for and promote active play for both inside and outside times. Children need to make many choices each day, and our caregivers and teachers allow them to choose among many appropriate learning materials. Perhaps the most crucial part of the environment for infants, toddlers and 2's is continuous high quality care generously given by a small group of primary people - the parents are first, followed by our staff of Educated, Qualified, Gentle and Loving teachers and caregivers.
HYGIENE PRACTICES IN CHILD CARE & PRE-SCHOOL: Child Care for Infants, Toddlers & 2's is an important part of our modern society. Proper care and procedures are taken by our professional staff to provide high quality care and ensure cleanliness. An important consideration in a group care setting is to minimize the spread of harmful germs. Our educated and well trained child care professionals keep the playing, eating and resting areas up to the highest sanitary standards. Good Hygiene procedures used in our facility are recommended by the nation's leading pediatric and public health organizations. HANDWASHING Handwashing is a simple yet necessary step in preventing the spread of germs or illness. Throughout the day caregivers and teachers wash their hands frequently with anti-bacterial soap - especially before and after changing diapers, helping with toilet training, before and after serving snacks or meals and many other times during the day. Parents are required to fill out an information form and must supply FRIENDSHIP CORNER with the following items for your child: * Formula, Prepared & in Labeled Plastic Bottles (Daily) *Juice in Labeled Plastic Bottles (Daily) *Jars of Baby Food, Labeled with Child's Name & Date *Boxes of Infant Cereal, Labeled *Disposable Diapers & Wipes *Extra Changes of Clothing *Updated Immunization Records as they Occur **FRIENDSHIP CORNER will supply a daily report of your child's activities and feedings. This chart is to be checked daily and taken home on Friday of each week.	CLEANING & DISINFECTING Cleaning and disinfecting the play, rest, eating areas and other surfaces are crucial to good hygiene. Toys and equipment, diaper changing, bathroom and table areas are cleaned regularly throughout the day with a disinfecting solution. Floors are swept and mopped, surfaces dusted and carpets vacuumed and cleaned many times every day. The cleaning solutions are safe for classroom use. DIAPERS & WIPES We accept only the use of disposable diapers and wipes in this facility. Modern disposable diapers have been shown to help prevent leakage of urine and stool, and minimize contamination to other children, environmental surfaces and objects in the child care setting. Disposable diapers and wipes are more sanitary to handle when soiled. Rubber or plastic gloves are always used by caregivers when following the required Diaper Changing Procedure. Diapers and Wipes are to be supplied by the parents in the recommended size and style for their child. These will be labeled with the child's name and used only for the child. Providing a healthy and safe environment for your child is important to us at FRIENDSHIP CORNER. These hygiene practices help assure high sanitary standards. You can feel secure in the knowledge that your child is receiving superior care in a clean, stimulating setting. You can be certain of the most up-to-date, quality care at our center. Importantly, we follow good hygiene practices for the safety and well being of your child and others who are in the class.
FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM This program is structured for children ages 2 to 3 years old. Our program accepts each child as a unique person. Every child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs will be accepted with care, kindness and understanding. Our program provides activities appropriate for your child's age and for his / her own interests and needs. Our professional teachers know that children are active learners. They are always curious, they like to investigate, experiment and respond to their environment. With this in mind, everyone will be busy identifying colors, shapes, letters and numbers while coloring, painting and pasting. Many opportunities are available for cooperation, problem solving and decision making through play. Large and small motor development is encouraged through games, finger plays, muscial activities and outdoor play. Teachers assist and support the choices that children make, sometimes expanding and challenging them by adding equipment, materials or ideas. WORK & PLAY AREAS FRIENDSHIP CORNER provides a variety of work & play areas where a child can make choices while creating and interacting with peers. Materials are used which provide experiences on many play and discovery levels. Some of These Areas Include: * Blocks - representational play * Housekeeping - dramatic, role play * Manipulatives & Discovery - math, thinking skills * Book & Library - pre-literacy * Water & Sand Table - sensory, science * Arts & Creativity - hands-on * Music & Instruments - rhythm, expression * Science & Discovery - exploration, curiosity * Large Motor - coordination, growth * Group Experiences - language, socialization * Snacks & Meal - manners, healthy eating
TOILET TRAINING is an important part of a child's life. It occurs when the child has reached a maturity level in which they have mastered the use of a toilet in an out-of-home setting. Children are not required to be toilet trained when enrolling at FRIENDSHIP CORNER however, class placement may be determined based upon this skill. Parents must begin Toilet Training at home then Teachers will assist with behaviors at school. TOILET TRAINING GUIDELINES Children must have the ability to accomplish the following tasks: 1. Have bladder and bowel control for 2 to 3 hours at a time. 2. Must be able to undress and dress her / himself. 3. Must be able to follow simple verbal instructions such as: Walk to toilet, Lower pants, Sit down, Stay quietly for several minutes, and then Stand up, Wipe with tissue and Raise pants. 4. Asks to use the toilet 1 to 2 minutes prior to the need by indicating verbally to a teacher. 5. Wants soiled diapers changedd on a regular basis and shows sincere interest in using the toilet. Until your child exhibits these qualities within the classroom on a regular basis, training pants, including pull-ups, will not be recommended to be used at the center. **Boys and Girls will remain separated during the Toilet Training process. Teachers closely supervise progress and will report to parents on a daily or weekly basis. Soiled clothing will be sent home for laundering. Extra supplies of additional clothing must be kept at school in case of accidents. Thank you for your cooperation.