The Sunshine Room

AGES: Young Toddlers 12–18 months by September 1

The Sunshine Room has eight children, ages 12-24 months, with one full time teacher and two full time assistant teachers.  In this warm and nurturing environment, our one-year olds are changing, growing and learning each and every day. These toddlers with their individual temperaments and needs are cared for with respect and attentiveness. There is a consistent daily routine (one which is both flexible to individual rhythms and needs but is predictable).  The Sunshine staff provide the caregiving needs for this age and the exposure to early learning skills (sign language, kindness & acceptance, literacy, music, gross/fine motor, communication and personal development skills to name a few). Communication between families and the Sunshine staff is an essential component in this room. Some examples of what we do is: welcome packets & visit days before starting the school year, daily reports [information consisting eating, sleeping, diapers and a short look into the child’s day] newsletters, texts and photos. Also two Parent/Teacher conferences in Fall/Spring and we are open to conversation at any time!

Within this child-centered program that encompasses five domains of early childhood development: Cognitive, Social-Emotional, Adaptive, Communication/Language, and Motor. For learning and development to occur however the underlying goals that we have for our youngest learners include: to feel comfortable and safe, to develop relationships with new adults, to actively explore the environment, and to become familiar with routines.

As teachers, we see our role as three-fold:

• To set the stage for bonding, discovery, and learning, by creating a warm and accepting environment and providing materials and experiences that encourage each child’s growing curiosity and development in all the domains.
• To facilitate and guide that above process by observing and responding to the individual needs and interests of each child.
• To exchange information daily with youto maximize the support and encouragement your child receives, and to make the daily transition between home and our center as smooth as possible.

In addition to the very important work of helping our toddlers learn new routines, and to be part of a small community, we strive to encourage and expand their growing awareness and curiosity of the world around them through the activities and experiences we plan for them. One example is our Sunshine Wagon Train walks in and around our center and near west campus community. These social outings provide immeasurable ways to expose our youngest learners The Sunshine Room has eight children, ages 12-24 months, with one full time teacher and two full time assistant teachers.  In this warm and nurturing environment, our one-year olds are changing, growing and learning each and every day. These toddlers with their individual temperaments and needs are cared for with respect and attentiveness. There is a consistent daily routine (one which is both flexible to individual rhythms and needs but is predictable).  The Sunshine staff provide the caregiving needs for this age and the exposure to early learning skills (sign language, kindness & acceptance, literacy, music, gross/fine motor, communication and personal development skills to name a few). Communication between families and the Sunshine staff is an essential component in this room. Some examples of what we do is: welcome packets & visit days before starting the school year, daily reports [information consisting eating, sleeping, diapers and a short look into the child’s day] newsletters, texts and photos. Also two Parent/Teacher conferences in Fall/Spring and we are open to conversation at any time!

Within this child-centered program that encompasses five domains of early childhood development: Cognitive, Social-Emotional, Adaptive, Communication/Language, and Motor. For learning and development to occur however the underlying goals that we have for our youngest learners include: to feel comfortable and safe, to develop relationships with new adults, to actively explore the environment, and to become familiar with routines.

As teachers, we see our role as three-fold:

• To set the stage for bonding, discovery, and learning, by creating a warm and accepting environment and providing materials and experiences that encourage each child’s growing curiosity and development in all the domains.
• To facilitate and guide that above process by observing and responding to the individual needs and interests of each child.
• To exchange information daily with youto maximize the support and encouragement your child receives, and to make the daily transition between home and our center as smooth as possible.

In addition to the very important work of helping our toddlers learn new routines, and to be part of a small community, we strive to encourage and expand their growing awareness and curiosity of the world around them through the activities and experiences we plan for them. One example is our Sunshine Wagon Train walks in and around our center and near west campus community. These social outings provide immeasurable ways to expose our youngest learners to the colors and sounds of the seasons, introduce them to new vocabulary, and offer them real materials that we continue to revisit and wonder about throughout our year together.