Our Newborn & Infant Program
Infant programs are designed to group with others of similar age and development, with environments and classrooms focused on nurturing, development and exploration.
Our Infant Environments
Infants in our program are with others of similar age and development, and eventually transition through all the infant classrooms. This supports our educators in creating environments that best support the rapid pace of infant development. All classrooms are staffed with a team of three classroom educators, a pedagogical coordinator and a support team of educators that work throughout the school filling in where needed.
A natural environment for a baby is one that provides wise and observant adults and an interesting and safe space for infants to rest, explore, and develop. Maria Montessori believed that each new human being, from conception to maturity, forms himself or herself, taking materials for self-construction from the environment. Children’s development happens quite naturally if we observe and follow the child and prepare the environment accordingly. The infant classrooms are prepared environments designed to support the child’s need for purposeful activity. Reaching out, grasping, and sitting up in the early part of infancy to standing, walking, and building trust in the world throughout the first year of life.
For infants we start sign language at 6 months and continue all the way to the Pre-K age group. Music with a professional teacher is introduced to infants from 12 months of age.
Our Infant program values parent involvement and communication. You are welcome in the classroom to share talents, skills, or contributions. A daily journal is given to parents at the end of the day giving you a glimpse of ongoing classroom experiences containing photos, conversations, and reflections, as well as a monthly newsletter containing school wide information as one way of inviting parents into our learning. Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice a year and family events are held several times throughout the school year
Schools and child care are convenient to Eagan and Inver Grove Heights, and the surrounding areas of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul.