Baby Bees

Ages 6 weeks to 18 Months (class is split between infants and crawlers/walkers)

Class Description

The Baby Bees consist of infants ages 6 weeks to 12 months and toddlers ages 12 months to 18 months. The babies adhere loosely to a feeding, diapering, and nap schedule, with breakfast around 8:00 and lunch around 11:00. Diapers are changed at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and as needed and are checked often. Younger infants take a nap at 9:00 and 2:00; older infants take one nap after lunch in preparation for the next class. Although the babies do not follow a strict lesson schedule, we have daily class time consisting of flash cards, singing, sign language, bible story time reading, and other fun educational activities. The babies’ days are also filled with structured playtime (i.e. bubble blowing, peek-a-boo) and free play (i.e. small group play, self play with toys).

Purpose

To provide a safe, secure and loving environment with employees who are fully competent in the knowledge of childcare that parents are comfortable leaving their children with.

We will:

• Start the basis of the understanding of salvation
• Teach the basis of right and wrong
• Teach social skills and promote positive interactions and redirect negative ones
• Help children learn the skills of mobility, communication, empathy, self-feeding, self-soothing and love

Vision

Our classroom will run on a schedule, with mostly synchronized meals and naps to allow for greater participation during lesson and circle times. Our children will be excited to see their teachers in the mornings, secure in knowing that he or she will spend the day with someone who cares about them and will fill their needs and wants; they will also know that their day will be fun and interesting. This, in turn, will make parents feel comfortable with leaving their child.

Mission

• Have a plan for the day, set goals for the class as well as for individual students
• Spend individual time with each child as well as group time. Also, incorporate time when children play and interact with each other and caregivers only interfere when necessary
• Demonstrate appropriate behaviors, redirect negative behaviors in a positive way.
• Use praise and encouragement often- it cannot be used too much!
• Always show love

• Keeping infants interested in a lesson can be challenging. Be loud, be fun, make a fool of yourself! When you are happy, they will respond. Make them involved in the lessons through hand motions and opportunities to respond.
• Lead by example
• Always greet child and parent
• Be consistent
• Address any and all concerns a parent has immediately
• Always keep up with daily sheets, write applicable notes on them in addition to what is required
• Write in journals, these are a great communication tool
• A crying baby is one that needs something, prevent this by knowing what the child will need before he or she gets to the point of screaming for it

We are helping to raise the children in our care. Some of them are here for nine to eleven hours a day. We strive to use this time to influence and guide them.