In our infant community, children are cared for in a warm, loving, texture-rich environment that provides unlimited opportunities for exploration. Infants learn by watching and moving freely and form relationships through their senses. To support learning and development, we provide an environment committed to freedom of movement. Through singing, talking, smiling at and holding the children, strong relationships are formed. We furnish the infant community with specialized furniture and equipment, which allow teachers and parents to be at the children’s level. This promotes accessibility and flexibility for nurturing, feeding and comforting. A profound respect is given to the importance of each parent in the infant’s world. Breastfeeding is strongly supported and nursing mothers are welcome at all times in the community.
The purpose in the infant community is to foster the development of basic trust. This trust is cultivated and enhanced in an environment where adults respond appropriately to the infant’s needs for love, respect, and acceptance. The infant’s environment facilitates a unique presence of conversations between the infant and adult caregiver which builds cognitive development.
Our goal is to establish a positive partnership at the earliest possible stage of development between infants, parents, extended family and teachers. The infant community supports family visits throughout the day, as well as provides unlimited opportunities for discussion on the child’s progress.