Your child is in for an enormous amount of fun as they take the next step in their developmental years. Two-year-olds are a busy bunch. They are still highly dependent on their caregivers for most of their needs throughout the day, but are beginning to realize they can, and want, to do more on their own. Which sometimes is the reason behind those defiant behaviors, we are all familiar with. Our two-year-old classrooms spend quite a bit of focus on this social-emotional aspect, helping these youngsters learn to identify and appropriately express their feelings, interact with peers, and ultimately get ready to move onto the three’s program.

Children transition into the Twos around their 2nd birthday, and are in the room until they transition to the Threes around their 3rd birthday.  Our two-year-old rooms are licensed for up to 12 children, and have three teachers.

Located in the classroom are “Daily Diary Charts” that are completed throughout the day by the parents and teachers. The top section of the chart is information provided by each parent when they drop of their child. This information includes how long your child slept the night before, how much the child has eaten, and any other information that is helpful in caring for your child that day. The remainder of the chart is information concerning your child’s day, and is filled out by the teachers. For example, when your child had their diaper changed and what it was (bowel movement or wet), the amount of food consumed and when, and also a little extra information like songs that were sung that day!

The diaper changing area is located in the center portion of the classroom. Children are changed every two hours. However, we are always checking your little one for a bowel movement which requires immediate attention! Parents provide all of the diapering supplies, diapers, wipes, cream, etc., for their child. We will let you know on your child’s chart if you are running low on any of the supplies.

An exciting occurrence in the two year old classroom is when one of the children shows signs of being ready to use the potty! This interest is approached with love, patience, and understanding. When your child reaches this point, we ask that you help the teachers by putting underwear on over your child’s diaper.

We go about potty training in three stages:

• Stage 1: Your child will wear underwear in the morning for a couple of hours and then will be placed in a diaper before lunch time.
• Stage 2: Once your child has mastered the mornings, he or she will move into napping without a diaper.
• Stage 3: The final stage means that your child will be in underwear the whole day. No matter how many accidents your child may have, we still put underwear back on them.

When potty training we take the children to the potty about every 10 to 15 minutes. Please remember that every child is different. While some children get the hang of using the potty right away, others may take a while. We do ask that parents follow the same steps that we are taking at school in potty training your little one. Whether you are at home or out running errands, let your child be in underwear. Practice makes perfect!

Every child is assigned a cubby. The cubbies are intended for extra clothes, diaper bags, hats, and any other garments that your child may need throughout the day. The refrigerator for any food brought from home is located in the room. All food that comes in should be labeled with your child’s name and all bottles need to have a lid.  Our optional School Lunch Program (with catered food brought in from Mama Lucia’s Monday-Thursday, and Ledo’s pizza served on Friday) is $75/month, or $5/day.  If you do not participate in the School Lunch Program, you will need to send lunch for your child from home.

At naptime the Twos sleep on cots provided by the School.  Parents are responsible for sending in a sheet, blanket, or nap roll for children to sleep on.  Your child’s bedding will be sent home each Friday to be laundered for the following week.

There are three components to your child’s daily program. Those three areas are immersion into thematic units, learning through play, and a formal curriculum called The Creative Curriculum.

1. Learning Through Play: A huge part of your child’s day will be learning through play both in and outside the classroom. At the age of two, children are beginning to discover that there are peers around them. By preparing the room to be conducive for useful play, children are encouraged to begin interacting with peers and setting the foundation for healthy peer relationships. The concepts of sharing, cooperating with others, and imaginative play begin to emerge at this age.

2. Thematic Units: Every morning your child will participate in a teacher directed circle time where he or she will learn about a particular thematic unit. We also do projects and crafts that directly relate to the information discussed in circle time that morning. Thematic units are chosen based on the season, an upcoming holiday, or what the children are showing interest in at any particular time. Some examples of thematic unit that are done in the two year old class include the body, transportation, seasons, community helpers, colors, shapes, and healthy food. Upcoming thematic units are discussed in each monthly newsletter.

3. The Creative Curriculum: The Creative Curriculum is a comprehensive program designed specifically with these busy youngsters in mind. The curriculum focuses on using daily routines to build positive relationships with children, promote trust, nurture their curiosity and guide them as they make increasing sense of the world. These routines include; hellos and goodbyes, diapering, toilet training, feeding, dressing and soothing children. In addition, the curriculum supplies carefully designed experiences such as; stories, art projects, music, and outdoor play, through which the children can explore and learn while constantly testing out new skills.

• Daily Schedule:
• 7:00-8:00 Arrival time & free play
• 8:00-9:00 Outside
• 9:00 Breakfast
• 9:30-10:00 Clean up, brush teeth, diaper changing & circle time
• 10-10:30 Story time, creative activities & centers
• 10:30-11:30 Outdoor play
• 11:30-12 Lunch time
• 12:15-12:30 Diaper changing
• 12:30-3:00 Nap time
• 3-3:30 Snack time, diaper changing
• 3:30-4:00 Story, songs, creative activities & centers
• 4-4:30 Free play/outdoor play
• 5:00-6:00 outdoor play/departure

Each of these classes are offered once a week and registration forms can be retrieved from the Office.

Soccer

A 30 minute soccer session is offered once a week through Total Soccer Development. These classes are a great way for the kids to work on coordination, agility, and learn basic soccer skills.

Ballet

Every Wednesday Ms. Shannon comes from the Wheaton School of Dance to teach ballet for the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s/5’s.  Sessions are typically 10 weeks long and end with a Parent Observation.

JumpBunch

JumpBunch is a 30 minute physical movement class that encourages kids to enjoy physical activity, feel confident about their abilities and instill them with a love for being active and healthy. The classes meet every Friday and cost $45/month.

Please write your child’s name on his/ her belongings such as: bottles (please bring in bottles with caps), food containers (each piece), blankets and shoes.  Please provide us with a detailed note of any food allergies that your child has.  Always fill out the medication form if your child needs to have his/her medication at school (we are unable to give them without a written permission). If your child is given medicine at home, warn us about any reaction that may occur.  Please check to make sure that there are extra clothes in his/her cubby.  If you can, let us know if you plan to pick up your child early so we can reschedule his/her day accordingly.

1. Diapers
2. Diaper cream
3. Baby wipes
4. Blanket or sheet
5. Extra clothes
6. Sunscreen
7. Milk Cup/Sippy
8. Water Cup/Sippy
9. Summertime: Water shoes or sandals, swimming diapers, bathing suit & towel

At this level, in addition to learning through play and the engaging seasonal and fun themes we discuss in class, structured learning becomes an important part of your child’s experience. Our days are filled with fun and exciting activities that we are sure your children will share with you at the end of each day. (We also have a class blog to promote a home/school connection!) However, if you have any questions about what we are doing in the classroom, please feel free to get in touch!

Children transition into the Threes around their 3rd birthday, and are in the room until they transition to the Fours around their 4th birthday.  Our three-year-old rooms are licensed for up to 20 children, and have three teachers.

Each classroom has a clipboard with the class roster.  When you drop your child off each morning, you will need to write the time you are dropping off, along with your initials.  When you pick up your child each afternoon/evening, you will follow this same process and write the time you are picking up along with your initials.

Every child is assigned a cubby. The cubbies are intended for extra clothes, school bags, jackets, hats, and any other garments that your child may need throughout the day. The refrigerator for any food brought from home is located in the room. All food that comes in should be labeled with your child’s name and all bottles need to have a lid.  Breakfast and snack are included in your tuition.  Our optional School Lunch Program (with catered food brought in from Mama Lucia’s Monday-Thursday, and Ledo’s pizza served on Friday) is $75/month, or $5/day.  If you do not participate in the School Lunch Program, you will need to send lunch for your child from home.

At naptime the Threes sleep on cots provided by the School.  Parents are responsible for sending in a sheet, blanket, or nap roll for children to sleep on.  Your child’s bedding will be sent home each Friday to be laundered for the following week.

Three year olds are just discovering their independence but still rely on adults for help with many basic needs. Therefore, the physical and psychological development of these children is considered throughout the learning environment and across the curriculum. We provide many opportunities for them to develop their motor skills, self confidence, and positive feelings towards learning. We accomplish this by blending three different curricular components. They are a formal curriculum called The Creative Curriculum, thematic units/studies, and learning through play. In addition, the children are also involved in educational field trips, school assemblies, and a lot of time playing and discovering the outdoors.

1. Thematic Units/Studies While often times the themes are dictated by the season or an approaching holiday, the interests of the children also considered when choosing a theme. Themes are discussed during circle time in the morning and projects are done throughout the day to reinforce the chosen topic. Sample themes include holidays, multicultural events, current events, body awareness, and seasons. Stories read to the children, cooking projects, and materials throughout the classroom, reflect the theme being discussed, and themes are incorporated into all of the curricular areas of the classroom.

2. Learning Through Play While structured learning is important at this age, learning through play is also an important component of their day. When interacting with peers, a child is encouraged to make decisions, use their imagination, and develop conflict resolution skills. Time spent playing with such manipulatives, such as legos and play dough, is not only fun for the children, but also strengthens important muscles for fine and gross motor skills. Most importantly, we want your child to love coming to school. With a delicate balance of structured learning and useful play, your child will be ready for the next academic phase of their life while having developed a love for the learning environment!

3. The Creative Curriculum The Creative Curriculum, one of only 6 curriculum systems recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education, is a comprehensive program designed with the whole child in mind. Its founders, former early childhood teachers and teacher educators, combine the work of early childhood theorists along with the most current research in the field to create a system to help children learn and flourish in the areas of social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. The Creative Curriculum also emphasizes the importance of positive interactions between children and adults, having a quality environment that supports the goal of learning, and strong teacher-family relationships.

• Daily Schedule:
• 7:00-8:00: Arrival
• 8:00-9:00: Outside Play
• 9:00-9:15: Job chart and hand wash
• 9:15-9:45: Breakfast
• 9:45-10:00: Morning circle: story time, songs
• 10:00-10:45: Centers, crafts, Creative Curriculum activities and projects
• 10:45-11:00: Bathroom and clean-up
• 11:00-11:50: Outside Play
• 11:50-12:00: Wash hands
• 12:00-12:40: Lunch
• 12:40-1:00: Bathroom and story time
• 1:00-3:00: Nap
• 3:00-3:30: Wash hands and snack
• 3:30-4:00: Centers, Creative Curriculum projects & activities
• 4:00-4:15: Clean-up
• 4:15-5:40: Outside Play
• 5:40-6:00: Reading, puzzles, and departure

Each of these classes are offered once a week and registration forms can be retrieved from the Office.

Soccer

A 30 minute soccer session is offered once a week through Total Soccer Development. These classes are a great way for the kids to work on coordination, agility, and learn basic soccer skills.

Ballet

Every Wednesday Ms. Shannon comes from the Wheaton School of Dance to teach ballet for the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s/5’s.  Sessions are typically 10 weeks long and end with a Parent Observation.

JumpBunch

JumpBunch is a 30 minute physical movement class that encourages kids to enjoy physical activity, feel confident about their abilities and instill them with a love for being active and healthy. The classes meet every Friday and cost $45/month.

Please write your child’s name on his/ her belongings such as: bottles (please bring in bottles with caps), food containers (each piece), blankets and shoes.  Please provide us with a detailed note of any food allergies that your child has.  Always fill out the medication form if your child needs to have his/her medication at school (we are unable to give them without a written permission). If your child is given medicine at home, warn us about any reaction that may occur.  Please check to make sure that there are extra clothes in his/her cubby.  If you can, let us know if you plan to pick up your child early so we can reschedule his/her day accordingly.

1. Diapers, Diaper cream, Baby wipes (if necessary)
2. Blanket or sheet
3. Extra clothes
4. Sunscreen
5. Water Cup/thermos for the playground
6. Summertime: Water shoes or sandals, swimming diapers, bathing suit & towel