Our infant program is housed in our main building with its own entrance on the east side of the building. This program is only offered as a full day or extended day program. Infants must be at least eight weeks old in order to be enrolled in our infant program. Countryside is NAEYC accredited and follows the 1:3 staff:infant ratio. According to the State of Missouri, our program has the space to enroll up to eight infants. However, we feel a maximum enrollment of six infants will allow us the space necessary to offer a better infant program to the families we serve.
Our goal is to provide a warm home-like environment. Unfortunately, it is not possible for parents to stay home with their children. Therefore, we want to provide that loving care just as you would if you were with your child during the day. We firmly believe in the need for open and thorough communication between the caregiver and the home to provide secure, loving care for each child and confidence for each parent. We encourage the parents to share milestone’s the children have reached at home and also to share any information from the pediatrician that may help us help their child while in our care.
The staff in our infant program focuses on each child as an individual. Maria Montessori believes that all children develop differently and at their own pace. Therefore, we do not expect every six month old to be able to sit without help or every eight month old to be able to crawl. The staff encourages each individual child to reach each milestone at their own pace.
Each day the staff incorporates books, music and lots of language. It is very important to incorporate language in an infant’s daily routine. Talking to them about their feelings, needs and wants is important. This also helps the caregiver bond with the child.
Weather permitting; the staff will take the children on short walks in the stroller around Countryside. The babies love to watch the older children as they march and parade to the playground.
Parents should supply three bottles to be left here at Countryside. Parents will also need to supply breast milk or formula, diapers, wipes, diaper ointment and extra clothing. Countryside will provide infant cereal and baby food. Once your infant is ready for table food please discuss this with the staff so that we may begin to incorporate table foods at snack and lunch.