Welcome to the Infant Room at Innovation Station!

I am excited to have the

opportunity to care for your child. In this packet, you will find information to help
familiarize you with the center, the classroom and myself. Please take your time
reading through the enclosed papers and let me know if, at any time, you have any
questions or concerns.

Enclosed:
About the Infant Room
Information about Room #1
Meet the Teachers
What Your Infant Will Need
SAMPLE Daily Sheet
SAMPLE Completed Lesson Plan
SAMPLE Medication Form
SAMPLE Incident Report
Menu (seasonal)
Menu Component Sheet
Child Information Questionnaire
Family Board Letter/Directions and Cardstock
If you are missing any of this information or need another copy, please let me know.
Thank you!

About the Infant Room

Innovation Station provides an infant program that focuses on caring
and playing. We provide each child with the individualized care needed for
this age group. As teachers, we work with parents to build their childs daily
schedule, including nap(s) and mealtimes.
In addition to being responsive to the needs of each infant, our
program focuses on each infants development on an individual basis. Your
child follows their own path as they learn and develop. Teachers will
continually help the infants progress to the next step in their development,
whether it is encouraging them to reach for a toy, pull themselves up, or
walk. These individual goals are created and shared with you through verbal
communication, weekly lesson plans, and written sheets detailing your
childs daily activities.
Communication between parents and teachers as well as consistency
between school and home is very important for your childs wellbeing. We
aim to have open communication with parents in an effort to help your child
grow, learn and be happy & healthy.

Center Phone #: _________________________________________________________

Classroom Email Address: _________________________________________________
Teachers Typical Schedules:
Name _______________________ Hours _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Name _______________________ Hours _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Information about The Infant Room

At this time, this classroom will have infants ages 6 weeks to 1 year old. The child
to teacher ratio for children under two years of age is 4:1. Based on the size of the
classroom, our classroom is state licensed for up to 7 infants. We will try to move
infants up to the toddler room when they are showing signs of readiness, such as
eating from the school menu, being off of bottles, and napping only one time after
lunch. As our center grows, it is our hope to add another infant room and therefore
split the infants into an older (more mobile) and younger (less mobile) infant
room.
Outside our classroom, in the hallway, you will find cubbies and hooks for the
children in our classroom. Your child will have a basket with their name and/or
picture and you can use any hook directly underneath their cubby. This will be a
place for you to hang your childs jacket or any outerwear and hang a diaper bag
(if you bring one). We will put any rinsed bottles in the diaper bag or in your childs
assigned hallway cubby as they are used. Please check both when you leave at the
end of the night.
Just before you walk into our classroom, you will notice a bulletin board to your
right. This bulletin will have a copy of our weekly lesson plan, a center menu and
pictures of fun things that have been going on in our room. From time to time, you
will find additional information pertaining to our classroom, the center or infant
development. On this board, you will also find the typical hours of the teachers in
our classroom. Although the primary teachers of the classroom will work full time
hours, you may end up missing each other at drop off and/or pick up. Please feel
free to pass any important information relating to your child to the support teacher
helping out in the room at those times. These people will also be who may cover
breaks during the day.
Because the children in this room will primarily be on the floor, we ask kindly that
you (and older siblings dropping off or picking up with you) please remove, or place
booties over, your shoes/boots before entering the classroom. This will minimize
the amount of germs on the floor as well as lessen the chance of small and/or
dangerous items (such as pebbles or salt) tracking into the areas where babies are
crawling on the floor and curious about such items on the floor. Booties can be
found to the left of our classroom door. Please use clean booties each time (labeled
clean) and place your used booties in the used booties holder.

In our classroom, just above the refrigerator, hanging on the wall, you will find a
folder pocket holding various folders. The top folder is titled blank daily sheets.
Each morning at drop off, we ask that you please fill out the top portion of this form
and leave it on the counter or in your childs family folder. This information will
help us to anticipate what your child may need next. If it easier, you may take a
small stack of these papers home to fill out in the morning before you bring your
child into school.
If you need to fill out a medication form or would like a blank starter menu, these
will also be found in a folder here. Medication forms will need to be filled out for any
medication that you will need us to administer at child care. We are not allowed to
have medication forms filled out for a long-term, as needed basis. Things like
Tylenol, or Motrin (for teething) will need new medication forms filled out each
week. If you have questions, please let us know.
Starter menus list all the foods that are served at our center. As infants have tried
new food items at home, and you are comfortable with your child having them at
school, we will have you highlight those items on the starter menu. As your childs
list of okay foods grows, you will add to the same list. Please let us know as you
have more items you would like to highlight. These foods will then be sent to us
from the kitchen on the days they are provided on the center menu.
If your child takes bottles, it is easiest & least time-consuming for us if you prepare
them at home and bring them in labeled with the date and your childs initials. If
you prefer, one larger jug of prepared formula or breastmilk can be brought in
daily also. From this jug, we can then simply pour the correct amount out to warm
up at each feeding. Your child will have a labeled bin in the refrigeration in which
you can place prepared bottles/jugs in the morning. You can always leave extra
powdered formula or frozen breast milk in our classroom in case your child needs
more than what you brought in for the day. There is also a larger freezer in the
laundry room (across the hall) to store larger amounts of frozen breastmilk. If this
will not work for you, we can also prepare your childs bottles in the classroom.
Once a formula or breastmilk bottle has been warmed and given to your child, we
can only offer it to your child for up to an hour after that time. Try to not
prepare too much in your childs bottles, as we will have to dump what is left after
that 1 hour period. Empty bottles will be rinsed and returned to the parents nightly
for proper washing. Any prepared, but unused bottles will be sent home at the end
of the day. Children under the age of one will only be given breast milk or formula
to drink. Parents who wish to give their child anything else will be required to
provide a doctors note.
We will follow your childs individual schedule while in this classroom. All the
children may eat or nap at different times, therefore it is important to prepare your
child for this as much as possible. The classroom will have a variety of noises and
sounds throughout the day. It is unlikely that your infant will ever have complete
silence while trying to nap. Other children will most likely be awake and playing,
and occasionally crying. While at home, please do not get your child accustomed to
a completely dark or silent naptime. We will play nap music and have sound

machines available to play on the crib-side of the room when children are napping.
Having similar sounds in your childs room at home may make for a smoother
transition to group child care.
During the day, we will also work on individual goals shown on the lesson plan, as
well as group activities which will usually relate to a classroom theme. In general,
these lesson plans will cover a month-long period with additional goals added
during that time, if needed. Teachers will take anecdotal notes relating to these
lesson plans throughout the week in order to plan for your childs developmental
needs moving forward. If at any time you ever would like to meet with the teachers
to discuss their development or any concerns in more detail, please let Ms. Sarah or
myself know and we can arrange a time that I can step out of the classroom.
Communication is key to feeling comfortable with the care your child is receiving
during the day. Classroom newsletters, lesson plans and emails are our way to
assist in that communication. One classroom newsletter will go out to all
parents/guardians at the same time, through email. You will see pictures of all the
children in the classroom, however no names will be used. Be sure that your
current email address is listed on the enrollment paperwork so you can be sure to
receive these emails. Let me know if you are not getting them. (Be sure to check
your spam folder sometimes the first few emails will end up here until the
address is recognized.) If you would prefer for your childs picture to not be used in
the newsletter (which will also briefly be available on the centers website), please
be sure you let me know. Your child will also have a completed daily sheet for you
to take home with you at the end of the day. The times your child ate, slept, and
were changed, as well as some of their favorite activities will be listed here. If you
ever need more information, please feel free to call or email when you need (or
want) to. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you and take care,
Your Teacher,

Meet the Teachers in The Infant Room

Hi. My name is.

I greatly look forward to caring for your child.

We currently only need one infant teacher in our classroom. Before

adding a permanent co-teacher to the classroom, we will let you know all
about them!

*Support Staff Note:

Typically, one of the primary teachers will be in the room at all times, but they may be supported by
our floating teachers for vacations, half days or the end of the day. The goal will always be to keep it
as consistent as possible.

What Your Infant Will Need

Please remember, we have many children so each Item should be
labeled with your childs name.
FEEDING NEEDS:
Bottles (one for each bottle needed during the day)
Formula or Breastmilk
Jar Foods
Starter Foods (such as puffs) until eating off of the center menu
DIAPERING NEEDS:

Diapers we have storage, so please bring extra

Wipes
Diaper Cream(s)

SLEEPING NEEDS:

Crib-size fitted sheet

Blanket and/or sleep toy (must be a mobile infant see center
policy)

Pacifier (if used) please have one or two that STAY at school

OTHER ITEMS:

Extra weather appropriate/size appropriate clothing (this will

need to be checked regularly to be sure it fits and is still weather
appropriate).

WE WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR USE AT INNOVATION STATION:

Bowls, plates, silverware, sippy cups

Bibs
Wash Clothes & Burp Clothes

Room #1 Child Information Form

Classroom Child is Moving Into: Room #_1________Start Date:
________________________________
The names of your childs teachers will be: ________________ ___ &
____________________________
Name of person filling out form ________________________ Relationship to child
_________________
*The below survey is handed out to gain a better understanding of the children who
will be in our care during the day. The goal is to have it aid in our classroom and
curriculum planning to best benefit the children in our classroom and to help us to
better understand your childs development, interests, family and educational
history. Please fill out to the best of your ability. Be as thorough as you feel
comfortable and if desired, you may leave questions blank. Thank you for your time
and we look forward to learning more about you and your family over the next few
months!* Thank you!
Childs Name: _______________________________ Nickname?:
______________________________
Childs Birthdate: _____________________________ Todays
Date:_____________________________
Is your child currently in group child care somewhere else? ____________________________________
If no, does your child attend In-home care? Stay with family? Been home with (circle
one) Mom or Dad Other?
(explain)____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
What are your childs scheduled hours for this school year?
Mondays_________________ Tuesdays_____________________
Wednesdays_____________________

Thursdays_________________________
Fridays___________________________
Who will typically handle drop off? __________________ Pick-up?
______________________________
If your child is part-time, who else cares for your child the rest of the week?
___________ ____________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Family Dynamic/Home Life/Personality:
Nationality:
___________________________________________________________________________
What is your childs primary language? _____________________ Is your child exposed
to any other languages on a regular basis? If so, what language?
___________________________________________
Who does your child live with? (include ages of any siblings)
____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you prefer we refer to you (to your child) as Mom and/or Dad, or another name?
(i.e.: Papa, Mama, etc.)
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Has this child lived in any other households besides your own since birth? (ie: foster
family, birth family, split family, etc.) If so, please explain
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What does a typical evening or weekend at home consist of for your child?
________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I would describe my childs personality as
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sleep:
** Please note that in the infant classroom, the infants who are napping are in the
same room with children who are up playing, eating, etc. Please attempt to prepare
your child for noises & disruptions while napping. Swings and bouncy seats are not
acceptable places for your child to sleep at Innovation Station. He/she will only be
allowed to sleep in their crib, unless a doctors note is provided.
In the evening, what time does your child go to bed?_____________ Does he or she go
to bed easily or is bedtime a challenge?
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

How often does your child wake at night?

__________________________________________________
Any bedtime routines?
__________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Does your child share a bedroom with anyone? If so, who?
_____________________________________
How & when does your child nap at home?
_________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Does your child have any comfort items that he/she uses at home or at school for
nap or bedtime (i.e. nuk, special stuffed animal or blanket, etc.)? If so, by what
name do you call these items? _________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do these items need to go back and forth between school and home on a daily
basis?
YES or NO
* NOTE: Children who are not mobile will not be allowed to have any loose blankets
or stuffed animals in their crib with them *
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
** Do you have any questions regarding sleep that we may be able to help you
with? _______________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Eating/Appetite:
My child is (mark all that apply):
[ ] drinking bottles only circle one: formula or breastmilk or both [ ] bottles along
with other foods throughout the day [ ] cereal mixed with__________________ [ ]
Spoon-fed jar (or homemade) puree foods [ ] Beginning to feed self with handsonly small pieces of food [ ] eating table foods (see starter menu) [ ] beginning to
feed self with silverware [ ] Using a closed sippy cup [ ] Using an open-top cup
**If your child is under one year of age, he/she may only have formula or
breastmilk, unless a doctors note is provided. **
General Schedule (or amount of time between feedings):
______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Comments:_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___
When at home, where does your child typically eat? [ ] Lap [ ] In highchair [ ] In
booster at table
Other:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Does your child have any allergies? (please list any & all)
_______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Does your child have any restricted foods (please explain):
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Please see Starter Menu enclosed in welcome packet to mark any table foods your
child may have please highlight so it can easily be added to, over time. Thank
you.
**Do you have any questions regarding your childs eating/appetite that we may be
able to help you with?
________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Diapering/Toileting:
Is your child: [ ] in disposable diapers [ ] in cloth diapers [ ] Other:
______________________________
Does your child get diaper rash easily?
______________________________________________________
Does your child use any diaper cream? If so, what kind and how regularly?
________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Interests/Strengths/Challenges:
My childs favorite toys at home are
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
As a family we enjoy
____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I feel my childs strengths are:
____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I feel my child could use some extra time working on
__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any concerns about your childs development? If so, in what areas?
___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If you do have concerns about your childs development, have you contacted any
outside resources for assistance in assessing your child? If so, when? What was the
outcome? __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
**Do you need any help finding resources (i.e.: extra-curricular activities, evaluation
tools for your child such as Birth to Three program, etc.) in the community? If so,
what resources are you looking for? _____
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Anything else you would like to share or ask us before starting in room #1?
________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a preference of who we should call in case of an emergency?
________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a preference of who we should can in a non-emergency situation?
____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*** Please make sure that all contact information (including home and work
addresses & phone numbers for parents/guardians as well as other listed
emergency contacts are up to date both in our classroom as well as in the office.
Also, make sure to inform your child(s) classrooms if any of this information changes
at any time. Thank you***
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. We look forward to reviewing the information you
have provided us and learning more about your child and family. If your child spends time at more
than one household and you feel it would be beneficial to have more than one survey filled out by
multiple people, please let us know and we can provide you with another copy of this survey.
Throughout the year, please let us know as this information changes. We hope this survey is just the
beginning of a school year full of open communication!

Dear Families,
Attached you will find a colored piece of cardstock. Please take
some time to put together a family board for us to display in the
classroom. We will laminate it so younger children can look at the
pictures while laying on the floor and will eventually display them
at child-level throughout the classroom for your child to see
throughout the day. Please also label as many pictures as
possible so that teachers can talk to your child about the pictures
(i.e. Is that Nana? or Where is your doggy, Rover?). Feel free
to look around at the family boards already displayed in the room
for ideas.
Please return this paper back to the classroom as soon as you
can.
Thank you!
Your Teacher,