Program Schedule / Daily Routine

Most infants follow a routine, though not necessarily a strict schedule, that allows for feeding, active time, and nap. This routine repeats itself throughout the day and provides important predictability for young children. In our Infant environments, our Montessori guides maintain a consistent rhythm outlined by parents that responds to each child’s needs and complements what parents do at home.

Ratios

Each Infant environment has a maximum of 12 infants and 4 adults (a 3:1 ratio), one of whom is the Room Leader. Though the California Community Care Licensing allows a 4:1 ratio for infants, we realize that a 3:1 ratio is better for your child because it allows for more individual attention. Though your child will interact with all teachers in the classroom on a daily basis, each child will be associated with a consistent primary caregiver who is the main point of contact for parent communication.

Feeding

We are your partners in guiding and supporting you during the many changes in feeding routines that you will experience as your child grows.

All bottles and food for infants are supplied from home. With fridges, freezers, warmers, and microwaves in each Infant environment, we are set up to safely and hygienically accommodate both breastfed and formula-fed babies, finger foods, jarred or homemade purees, etc.

We provide comfortable chairs for breastfeeding mothers who would like to nurse their child on site. Parents are also welcome to drop off expressed milk anytime during the day. To ensure a smooth transition into a group setting, breastfed babies should be successfully bottle feeding for at least one month before they join the younger infant class; older infants may alternatively take milk from a regular cup. In our effort to encourage independence, we offer your child the opportunity and guidance to self-feed as soon as he or she is ready.

Sleeping

Our nap rooms provide a dedicated crib in the younger infant room and low cot in the older infant room for your child in a peaceful place where noise is minimized and tranquility is heightened. We work with parents to replicate techniques that work best at home for your child’s sleep patterns, while sharing tips from our experts for optimizing your child’s sleep. While pacifiers are permitted in the younger Infant environment, we will assist the 10-24 month old child to wean from these in an effort to promote independence and oral health. We also help prevent tooth decay by refraining from placing bottles in cribs, or having children fall asleep while drinking a bottle. We will rock or hold a very young infant, between 3-4 months, who needs such comforting to fall asleep; however, we will work with these parents, and particularly with parents of older infants, to help the infants develop self-regulation in sleep habits. Our goal is for your child to recognize sleep as a peaceful opportunity to self-soothe and rest because he or she is tired, just as a child will eat when hungry. If your child arrives asleep in a car seat, he or she will be gently placed in a crib. Children will have the opportunity to awaken from sleep naturally, rather than being awakened by an adult.