INFANT/ TODDLER SERVICES Our program serves infants, toddlers (0-36 mos.) and their families to include pregnant women. The program provides high-quality early education and child development services. The Early Head Start Program promotes the importance of continuous parental contribution as lifelong educators in their child’s development by conducting Initial Home Visits to build the home-school collaboration. Our program promotes secure parent-child relationships and takes pride in providing high quality early learning experiences. INFANT/ TODDLER EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT TEACHING AND THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT • We implement a research-based curriculum along with screening and assessment procedures that support individualization and growth in the areas of development and incorporate families in their children’s learning. • Children receive 1,380 instructional hours during the school year. • We provide children with developmentally, culturally, and linguistically, appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, mathematics, social emotional functions, approaches to learning, science, physical skills, and creative arts. • We provide high quality oral health, mental health, and nutrition services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate. • We are a bilingual program that uses research that supports dual language learners using teaching practices that assist infants and toddlers in developing their home language and providing experiences that expose them to English and Spanish. • We provide learning environments that are well-organized.
• We provide appropriate schedules, individualized learning plans, and indoor/outdoor experiences that allow children opportunities for play and exploration. • We integrate appropriate daily routines and a flexible schedule throughout the day, allowing new learning milestones to occur during individual and small group activities. INFANT TODDLER SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES The Early Head Start Program follows safe sleep recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for infants to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). • Infants are placed on firm mattress, with tight fitted sheets, in crib that meets the CPSC federal requirements. • All infants are placed on their back to sleep unless an Infant Sleep Exception/Health Care Professional Recommendation Form is signed by the infant’s care provider. • Blankets, quilts, comforters, pillows, stuffed toys/animals, soft objects, bumpers pads, or lines/sleeping devices are not used in cribs. • Children can’t have their heads, faces, or cribs covered at any time. • Cribs and rest mats are labeled with each child’s name. • Cribs and rest mats are spaced 3 feet apart or separated by a solid barrier to avoid spreading contagious illnesses. • Cribs sheets and rest mats covers are replaced immediately after an illness or if soiled. • Crib mattresses and rest mats are clean and disinfected weekly and as needed.
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