Welcome to the Baby Bears’ Room!

We’re glad you have decided to enroll in our Infant Program.  We’re extremely proud of our unique environment.  Our open concept allows us the opportunity to work creatively together and helps develop a family atmosphere.  We want your child’s first exposure to childcare to be positive, and we feel the first step in establishing a successful program is communication.  The following suggestions will make the transition to our center smoother for your family.

ARRIVAL

Most children respond better to a firm, quick good-bye.  Lingering can make the separation much more difficult for many children.  We have observation windows outside the classrooms.  If you have concerns, feel free to observe or to call back and check on your child later in the morning.  Most children settle into the daily routine very quickly after the initial separation.

BOTTLES

  • Please label all bottles and caps with the child’s name and the current day’s date.

  • If the bottle contains breast milk, please add an additional label, “breast” to each bottle of breast milk.

  • The bottles will need a new date each day.  Masking tape or labels are suggested as possibilities for removable date labels.

  • Please place bottles in the refrigerator each day in the tray with your child’s name.

FOOD

  • Please label cereal boxes and baby food jars with the child’s name and the date.  The cereal boxes and the unopened baby food jars may remain in the cabinet until used.

DEPARTURE

BOTTLES

All bottles must be removed from the refrigerator at the end of each day.  The bottles cannot remain in the refrigerator overnight.

FOOD

All opened food must be removed from the refrigerator each day.  The opened containers cannot remain in the refrigerator overnight.

FEEDING

We generally introduce table food between 7-10 months of age with your doctor’s recommendation.  Our menus are posted in the multi-purpose room near the kitchen as well as in the room.  We encourage you to review these as your child prepares for the transition.

CLOTHING

Please label all clothing and leave at least two to three changes of clothing (appropriate size and season) for your child.

DIAPERS

Please leave diapers for your child.  The teachers will alert you when more are needed.  Please label the diaper pack with the child’s name.

CRIBS

Your child will be assigned a crib.  You may bring a toy and label it with your child’s name or initials.  The center provides sheets and blankets for your child’s crib.

DAILY COMMUNICATION

Each day our caregivers will record your child’s activities on a Daily report.  Feedings, diaper changes and naps will be listed on the form.  Please feel free to take this form home daily.

When necessary, caregivers may receive calls from parents to discuss specific situations concerning their child.  However, an appointment should be made for extended conversations, as it can be difficult for the caregiver to answer the phone or talk with parents during transition times.

If you plan to be at a number other than the numbers listed on your enrollment form, please leave the emergency number with our office staff.

  • Please collect your child’s Daily Report sheet.

  • Please collect your child’s opened food and all bottles.

  • Please collect your child’s medicine (If applicable) from the office.

  • And oh, don’t forget your child!

SAFETY

Please be considerate of other children in the Infant room.  Small earrings, which may fall out of the infant’s ear lobes, barrettes or other accessories, can easily be swallowed.  We recommend that these items not be used.

Please leave all medications at the front desk and sign the permission to Administer Medication sheet at the front desk.  Medications are given between 11:00-12:00!

Young children can develop illness and fever quickly.  Please make arrangements to pick up your child as quickly as possible when called for an emergency.  Delays in departure are difficult for the child who is sick as well as for other staff and children.

Our staff will alert you to potentially hazardous situations.  Together we will find a suitable solution to the problem.

We want your child’s experience at MudPies to be a positive experience for your family.  Please get to know us as we learn about your family and your expectations.  Together we will have a mutually enriching experience.

Together for children,

Infant Baby Bears Teachers