The journey from birth to school is miraculous, remarkable, and complex. It began as your child burst into this world and will continue as your child learns to trust and form strong relationships with his or her family and caregivers. Children are shaped by their environments and by those with whom they spend their time. Licensing's basic health and safety standards are important, but responsive, nurturing and learning places greatly impact these irreplaceable years of emotional growth and brain development!
Research has shown ...Early Experiences last a lifetime! In their first years, children learn to be secure, confident explorers, to succeed as learners, and to be successful in school and in life! Hear what they tell us:
"From birth to eight months, I am focusing on forming secure bonds and feeling safe in my environments. I am learning confidence and what to expect from life as I interact with everyone around me. This foundation will form my ability to take chances and try new things and to adapt to change.
At the ages of six to eighteen months, I focus on exploration, a journey of searching and learning. I am figuring out how things work in the world, including myself! I move, touch, and analyze everything I see! I discover sounds have different meanings and learn to communicate with my world. My curiosity and motivation to learn will help me be successful in school and life.
From sixteen to thirty months, I learn to make choices and life is all about ME! I think about ideas all the time and try things, often pretending, as I explore the power I have. I have to know myself before I can leaaarn to get along with others and appropriately express my frustration. My ability to communicate and negotiate conflict will help me be successful throughout my life!"
At Agape, it is our privilege to partner with you in the care and blossoming development of God's little gift to you! Our parent enrollment packet describes general policies and procedures. Please don't hesitate to ask us any questions. We want to be a blessing to you. Welcome to our Agape family!
Our goal is to watch, listen and learn to get to know your child as they communicate their needs. Hugs and laughter follow as your child becomes engaged in the world around them. As infants develop into little explorers, they begin to exert their independence and want to discover everything! Exploring is baby's work and keeping them safe from the first day is ours!
Parents must provide clean bottles daily, disposable diapers, baby wipes, extra changes of clothing, and 2 crib sheets and blankets for the child's crib (these will be sent home weekly and as needed for laundering and must be replaced the following day)
Each child is assigned a crib that is used by that child alone. We provide formula however, parents must provide clean bottles each day. Breast milk must be labeled with the child's name and date/time of receipt and refrigerated immediately. (Breast milk can not be stored more than 24 hours) All unused portions of formula, breast milk, or baby food in a container from which the child has been directly fed will not be reheated but will be served up to one hour after preparation. Details about feedings will be provided on the daily report. Agape participates in the USDA Food Program and will provide nutritious food choices in menu partnership with you as your child grows and begins to eat solid foods.
Studies show that a child's need for security must be met before they can immerse themselves in learning. Children lacking this confidence are on "high alert" and, because of their bodies' stress systems, feel fearful rather than losing themselves in learning and exploration. (Peter Mangione, 2005)Uninterested and uninvolved caregivers or places where there is high staff turnover do not provide the foundational security necessary for learning to begin. Children must feel safe, cared for and loved to grow and stretch developmentally.
Care giving based on Response & Trust
Providing love is important, but not enough... our infant teachers individualize their care to meet the demands of your child. Primary caregivers form close bonds of trust, knowing your child's needs and providing comfort and attention. Babies nap, eat, and are changed on their own individual schedules and daily written reports are provided. Babies are engaged in language experiences from their youngest days through sounds, gestures, songs and words. As babies grow, their interest in the world around them grows and they experience sensory and art activities, dramatic play, literature and music, and large muscle play. Our curriculum is based on Ohio's Infant and Toddler Standards and Guidelines. Check the family board in your child's room for more information on lesson plans, parent news, and developmental milestones.