Infant & Toddler Care Program
Ages: 1 – 2 years
Regular Hours: 8:15 am – 4:10 pm
Extended Hours
Early Arrival: 7:45 am – 8:15 pm
Extended Day: 4:10 pm – 5:00 pm
What does quality infant and toddler childcare look like?
Our Little Seedling educators have completed additional training, specializing in infant and toddler care. In addition to being licensed Early Childhood Educators, they possess expertise focused on growth and development in the first three years of life.
With a strong emphasis on the safety of children under the age of three, our accredited staff provide holistic care. Relationships are given primary importance, while educators create vibrant activities that align with the developmental needs of children in this age group.
With an understanding that the most essential element influencing a child’s development is LOVE, our team offers a warm, home-like learning environment where every child feels safe, valued and loved.
Main facets of Maple Tree’s Infant & Toddler Program include:
A Language-Rich Environment
- Stories, songs, and nursery rhymes
- Active conversation
- Vocabulary development
- Social interactions facilitated by educators
- Caregiving routines viewed as rich contexts for language development.
Creativity & Self-Expression
- Arts and crafts
- Dramatic play
- Music & Movement.
Healthy Habits for Life
- Daily Snack Program – whole foods – plants over processed
- Daily outdoor active play
- Regular connection with greenspace
- Caring for animals (chickens, rabbits, fish)
- Developing a reverence for nature.
Montessori Principles
Graduates of our Infant & Toddler Care Program receive priority placement in our Preschool & Kindergarten Program (children aged 3 – 6). Foundational Montessori principles that prepare the toddler for entry into our Preschool & Kindergarten Program:
- Autonomy and independence
- Positive play habits
- Compassion and camaraderie
- Grace and courtesy
- Peace Education
- Development of concentration abilities.
Physical Environment
- Freshly renovated heritage building with copious character. Ample natural daylight floods in through large windows.
- Carefully selected, high-quality educational toys and materials.
- Indoor rumpus room with climbers, mats, and other active-play equipment to facilitate gross motor skill development.
- Customized, child-sized toilets and sinks for ease in potty training and bathroom routines.
- Large green spaces with farm animals and award-winning gardens connect your child with nature daily.
Program Structure and Licensing
- Age Range: 1 to 2 years
- Group Size: 8 children
- Ratios: 1 qualified educator to 4 children
- Educators: Our Educators are licensed through the Ministry of Education and Child Care. All staff hold current Child First Aid and CPR Certification.
- Licensing: Maple Tree Montessori is licensed through the Ministry of Education and Child Care and meticulously adheres to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act Child Care Licensing Regulations.
Healthy Foods for Healthy Bodies
Nutrition Policy
At Maple Tree Montessori, we are committed to providing nutritious snacks that support your child’s healthy growth and development. When designing snack options, our Infant & Toddler Specialists focus on serving fresh, nutrient-dense, whole foods that are easy for toddlers to manage. Below are the key components of our nutrition policy, reflecting our dedication to high-quality ingredients for growing bodies.
Grains:
We prioritize whole grains in our meals and do not serve white pasta or bread. Our noodles are made from organic brown rice, a high-fibre alternative, while our breads and oatmeal are crafted with sprouted grains. The sprouting process enhances the grains by breaking down stored proteins and starches into more digestible amino acids and carbohydrates, significantly boosting their nutritional value while contributing to optimal conditions for learning and playing.
Sweeteners:
We are highly cognisant of the sugar content in the foods we serve and use only 100% pure maple syrup when sweetening dishes. For example, we buy plain organic yogurt and add a small dollop of maple syrup and pure vanilla extract to sweeten it. This choice is not only delicious but also healthier than refined sugars and high fructose sweeteners. Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than sugar and honey. Pure maple syrup is also rich in antioxidants and essential minerals, providing additional health benefits for your child.
Oils:
We avoid low-quality, low-cost ingredients like canola and vegetable oils, which can introduce harmful trans fats and inflammatory compounds into the body. Instead, we use extra virgin olive oil (uncooked) and avocado oil (cooked) when preparing food for your little ones. Our dips are homemade with olive oil and fresh ingredients. These oils are healthier options and provide beneficial fats needed for brain development while supporting overall well-being.
Superfoods:
Superfoods are nutrient-dense food items that provide abundant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods benefit young children, who often consume small portions but require high-quality nutrients for optimal growth and development. Our menu is enhanced with superfoods like avocados, blueberries and raspberries, goji berries, broccoli, kidney beans, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and organic yogurt, to name a few.
Organic Foods:
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality nutrition for your children by prioritizing the purchase of organic foods whenever possible. We believe that investing in organic ingredients contributes to the overall health and well-being of infants and toddlers, as these foods are free from harmful pesticides and additives. In addition to sourcing spray-free produce and grains whenever possible, we ensure that our yogurt and eggs are always sourced from organic farms, so they are free from growth hormones and antibiotics. Although organic options come at a higher cost, we are committed to making this choice for the benefit of your child’s health and development.
Consistency with Home and Childcare:
Our program supports your chosen approach to your child’s nutrition. Whether you align with traditional pureed baby foods or have gone with the “baby-led weaning” approach, we aim to be as consistent as possible with the child’s feeding routines at home. Since children develop at different rates and have varied needs, we provide the space, time, and assistance each child requires during meals.
Food Limitations:
We provide alternative food items for children with dietary restrictions. Please be sure to discuss any allergies and food restrictions with one of our Infant & Toddler Specialists.
When packing lunches, guardians are kindly asked to avoid commercially packaged, processed foods.
Thank you for partnering with us to nurture healthy eating habits in your children. Together, we can foster a love for nutritious foods that will benefit them for a lifetime!