Welcome to Infant Orientation2015-2016 School Year

Classroom TeamClassroom Team

Teacher Guide: Ms. Kinnari Pandya

Assistant Guide: Ms. Melissa Sillman

Late Day: Ms. Ayla Archer

Other: Ms. Maria Ghahreman (Spanish)

Homeroom Parent: Ms. Janelle Smith

Montessori InfantMontessori Infant

The Infant/Nido team is an extended family for your child and

we are here to provide a safe, nurturing, loving, holistic, and

rich experience for your child.

These are the most formative, beginning years of life where

the child begins their journey as a capable, independent, yet

inter-dependent human being with full capacity and

potential.

Arrival and AttendanceArrival and Attendance Make drop-offs quick and precise

Establish a routine - choose a drop-off time/method and be

consistent

Attendance will be taken by 8:30 (Considered Tardy

afterwards)

Contact Ms. Kinnari if you have questions/concerns via

phone/email

What to Bring/Supply ListWhat to Bring/Supply List

Nap items – Maintain same bedding every week; Please provide a two crib sheets and two small receiving blankets.

Extra clothes- Please bring two sets of extra clothes - Make sure they are weather appropriate and please include socks!

Pre-Made Bottles- Breast and Formula needs to be defrosted prior to school.

Jar Food/Cereal Individual daily schedule- Please make a full-sized page and

include important phone numbers (cell phone, etc) LABEL EVERYTHING! Please include first and last name

(REQURED BY STATE)

Please place car seats on the Infant patio

Please drop off siblings before coming to the

Infant room

We are a shoe-free environment

Refrain from using Sippy Cups

Pacifiers

Hair clips/bows

Toys/Dolls

Best PracticesBest Practices

Daily Routine/ScheduleDaily Routine/ScheduleThroughout the Infant Day, infants are exposed to multi-sensory stimuli, including

music, reading, Spanish, motor skill opportunities, sign-language, speech, etc. while

each infant’s natural napping and feeding cycle is honored.

7:00 – 8:00 – Early Care

8:30 – 9:00 – Morning Snack

9:00 – 11:00 – Morning Work Cycle

11:00 – 11:30 – Lunch (First Sitting)

12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch (Second Sitting)

12:30 – 2:00 – Afternoon Work Cycle

2:00 – 2:30 – Early Afternoon Snack

4:00 – 4:30 – Late Day Snack

2:30 – 6:00 – Late Day Work Cycle

Dress for SuccessDress for Success Dress your child in seasonal, comfortable clothing

Select clothing that is easy to change, no

zippers/overalls/snaps

Please prepare for your child to explore and enjoy their day

as their clothing may get dirty

Provide socks for your child to wear daily

◦ Spanish instructions in the infant program is immersion

style, with a native Spanish-speaker, Ms. Maria

Ghahreman, in the classroom five mornings per/week,

speaking exclusively in Spanish

◦ Music is a constant presence in the Infant environment.

In addition, Mary Hu, a specialist in early childhood

music education, will be teaching music in the Infant

classroom on Tuesdays and Thursday at 10 am.

Specials in Our EnvironmentSpecials in Our Environment

maintain regular schedule at home

allow child to hold own bottle, drink from cup

be fully present with your child; unplug, eat together, be aware of sensitive

periods

sign language

oral language

◦ read daily

◦ speak in complete sentences

no pacifier after 6 months nurture

check Montessori Compass on a regular basis

recommended Books:  “How To Raise An Amazing Child” by Tim Seldin &

“Ask Ginny” by Ginny Varga

attend Mindful Parenting classes

Parent PartnershipsParent Partnerships

Sprout ProgramSprout Program

◦ Joint Program between Adolescent Program and Infant/Nido

◦ Adolescent paired with Infant

◦ Adolescent tracks, records and learns about child

development

◦ Infants benefit from one-on-one interaction, building

social skills

empathy

confidence

communication

acceptance

compassion

trust

respect

NutritionNutrition

Nutrition for Infants is critical as their brain develop more in

the first year than in any other time of their lives

Our organic kitchen does a wonderful job of modifying the

menu to meet the unique needs of our infants

Please partner with us in providing the utmost in nutrition

for your child; whole, organic, healthy choices

ConferencesConferences

Conference 1 Goal Setting (Fall)

Reflecting on the first few weeks

Setting goals for the year

Conference 2 (Winter)

Progress Report

Mid-term discussion

Conference 3 (Spring)

Progress Report

Re-cap and look ahead

CommunicationCommunication

Daily Log

Montessori Compass

Emails

Phone Calls

Person-to-Person (limited during class time)

Office Hours two Thursdays/month 3:00 -4:30 pm (please

check Montessori Compass for dates)

ResourcesResources

Located on the Classroom Page on our website:

◦ Daily Schedule

◦ Supply List

◦ Orientation Slide Show Infant 2015-16

Located under the Parent Resources dropdown:

◦ Parent Handbook 2015-16