The toddler class is made up of 20 children ages 1.5 – 3 years and 4 teachers. The teacher/student ratio in the toddler class will not exceed 1:6 and will be 1:5 for a substantial portion of the day.
In addition to the classroom educators, the Infant/Toddler Team Leader will support the infant and toddler classes. The team leader will spend time in the classrooms with children, act as a mentor and guide for teachers, monitor quality of care and collaborate with teachers during planning and documentation.
The toddler class is designed to maintain the nurturing and loving environment of the infant class while also fostering independence and confidence. Daily experiences planned by the educators provide opportunities for small group work and hands-on learning through play. Children make choices about their day and, as their interests emerge, educators follow the paths to engage their imagination and actualize their potential.
It is the school’s general policy to move children up to the next class as a group with at least one of the educators at the beginning of a school year. As much as possible we utilize “looping” in which a group of children and educators remain together for two or more consecutive years. We believe that this promotes strong relationships and a strong sense of community in each classroom. However, we also take into consideration each child’s individual needs and development. While the age range of the infant and toddler classes is a guide for placement, adjustments may be made when they are in the best interest of the child and the school community.