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Newborn & Infant Program
(Children ages 6 weeks to 16 months)

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Welcome to the Newborn & Infant Program!

We look forward to working with you to make your child's experience at Eagan Montessori one of nurturing, discovery, growth, and fun! The partnership between home and the center is essential to the success of each infant in the child care program. There is so much information to impart as you and your child begin your Eagan Montessori experience. The following is some helpful information to get you started (This document is not meant to replace your Parent Policy Handbook or the forms in your child's file. Those contain a much more complete picture of your rights and responsibilities as an Eagan Montessori family. You must read them as well.). Please see your Director or your child's teacher with any questions or concerns. We encourage you to drop in or to call at any time. Your input, suggestions, and ideas help to make this program successful for you and your child.

General Information

• Communication is an important part of our program. Each morning at drop off, we ask that you fill out the top part of your child's Daily Report. We will fill out the rest of the report during your child's day so you may have a picture of his or her activities and routines as well as the specifics for that day. Each child has a cubby for extra clothes, bottles, etc. as well as storage areas for diapers and wipes.
• Bottles must be taken home and washed each day.
• Soiled clothes must be taken home for laundering. Please make sure to replace items of your child's extra clothing as they are used.
• Please fill out an updated dietary form every two months and inform us of any changes of your child's diet.

Schedule

We work to follow each child's individual schedule for sleep, bottle feeding, and interaction. Diapers are changed every 2-3 hours or as needed. For infants on solid foods, a morning and afternoon snack will be provided.

Bottle Feeding

There is an area within the classroom refrigerator for bottle storage. We also encourage any nursing mothers to stop by and nurse them as well.

Setting Your Child Up For Success

Eagan Montessori Policies are designed to foster the safety and well-being of both the group and the individual child. We strive to maintain the continuity of care between the family and center, and we seek to mirror, as much as possible, the preferences and routines that have been established at home. However, there are a few things you can do at home to help prepare your child for the transition to our center.

• We welcome you and your child to visit the center prior to his or her start date. This "get to know you" time will help your child to become acquainted with his or her new room, classmates, and teachers. Speak to your center Director to schedule a time.
• Make sure your child is comfortable taking a bottle. If your child is breastfed, regularly feed his or her bottles or expressed breast milk before his or her start date so that they are not adjusting to her new care situation and bottle at the same time.
• Prepare your child for the lively sounds and stimulation of the Infant Room. Make noise while they are sleeping or take him to the playgrounds or public settings to experience the sights and noises or people and activity.
• For infants over 3 or 4 months, encourage as much as possible a regular schedule each day. Establish routines for bedtime, feeding and playtime that the center staff can try to follow to help a foster sense of security.
• Encourage "tummy time". Babies need to spend time playing on their stomachs each day to help development of the neck, back, and stomach muscles. Infants on solid foods should be accustomed to being fed in high chair.
• Offer singing, rocking, cuddling, or a favorite toy rather than nursing so that our staff mat effectively calm or soothe your child when necessary.
• Above all, feel good about your decision to choose Eagan Montessori! Your child will experience the highest quality nurturing, affection, stimulation, and care in our program.