St. Vincent's Child Care Center bases its curriculum on developmentally appropriate practice. Developmentally appropriate means providing activities, materials, environment, interactions, and experiences which are appropriate for the age and development of the particular child.
A full statement of the guidelines followed in the development of this program and curriculum is available in the Director's office.
For children less than one year old, staff will attempt to follow the eating, sleeping, and activity rhythms of each individual child. After one year, structured activity times are gradually introduced. Each classroom has a posted daily schedule of activities.
Parents of children under two-and-one-half years of age will receive a written daily report of food and beverage consumed or appetite, time spent resting, diaper changes, and general activity.
Children are given an opportunity to nap or rest each day. Preschoolers who do not sleep will be encouraged to rest quietly and then offered quiet activities.
Healthy, nutritious meals and snacks are part of the educational component of St. Vincent's Child Care Center. Children are encouraged, but not forced, to eat foods offered. Fruit juice, milk, and water are the drinks offered to the children.
Teachers eat with the older children, setting an example of desirable social conduct and providing unobtrusive information about nutrition.
Children are served a morning snack, hot lunch, and afternoon snack each day. Another 5:30 p.m. snack is also offered to children who stay longer. Weekly menus are made available to parents and posted in each classroom.
The Center does not provide breakfast. If your child needs to eat breakfast here, parents must provide it. All food brought into the Center must be single use for the day it is brought. We can not store food in classrooms or cubbies. Milk, juice, glasses, bowls, plates, and utensils will be available each morning.
Only staff will have access to the kitchen. This is a Health Department regulation. Please do not take juice, milk, or food items from the kitchen.
The Center does not provide formula, baby food, diapers, or wipes. Parents are responsible for providing an adequate supply of disposable diapers. The Center has adequate storage space if parents wish to bring diapers by the bag. Diapers are checked every hour and are changed if soiled or wet.
Formula, bottles, and baby food containers must be clearly marked with the child's name. Milk, mixed formula, and baby food cannot be kept overnight for future use.
Children should wear washable, comfortable clothing each day. Each child must have a seasonal change of clothing, including socks and underwear, available at the Center at all times. It is most helpful if all items of clothing are clearly marked with the child's name.
If transportation is necessary for any field trip, Hospital vehicles, which are equipped with appropriate child restraints, are used. Parents of children three years of age will be asked to put car seats in the Center van for use during the field trip. |
