Pacifiers

We discourage the use of pacifiers in our environment due to the possibility of transmitting germs from one child to another. We also believe in the importance of not using pacifiers at home for a prolonged period of time. Prolonged pacifier use will not only hinder his/her development but can cause or lead to dental problems, speech delays, ear infections, and a dependency on others. You will aid in the independence of your infant by assisting him/her to self-calm without using artificial aids. We do understand the importance of oral development as it relates to sucking during the first six months of infancy. A pacifier may be used during this short period to aid in this development, not to pacify or comfort your child. Please discuss your child’s pacifier use with his/her teacher to determine the best plan for home and school.

Communication

Classroom communication will occur through Transparent Classroom, where we make note of each diaper change, nap, and feeding. We are also able to upload photos of our activities, and try to do so weekly. Transparent Classroom also has reports to help us keep track of your child’s development. It is a tool that also helps parents and teachers discover behavioral patterns and aid us in setting up the environment with the appropriate materials to benefit the development of your child. At orientation, teachers will share specific information for how to use this platform. We are available through email periodically during the school day. If your child will absent, tardy, or picked up early, please email attendance@oakfarmschool.com and carbon copy us as well. We also like to hear updates from doctors’ appointments or family events. We can talk with your child about the things that are going on in their life and we love watching them grow almost as much as you do!

Movement

The greatest task in the first year is the development of a child’s trust. Your child needs to know that his/her physical needs for food and warmth will be fulfilled; that his/her environment is safe; and, most important, that his/her caregivers will cherish him/her and nourish his/her own budding feelings of love. Hugging, kissing, rocking, and smiling are all ways of cultivating this trust, along with introducing your child to the joys of all kinds of play and activity.

Interacting with your child is vitally important throughout his/her life, but in the first year play and activity can be especially important and rewarding. According to Dr. Wendy Masi, Dean of the Family Center, Nova Southeastern University, researchers estimate that 50 percent of a human’s brain development occurs in the first six months of life; 70 percent is complete by the end of the first year. While much of this development has to do with genetic heritage, a good portion of a child’s later intellectual, emotional, and physical life depends upon the kinds and amount of stimulation he/she receives in his/her earliest years.

Toilet Learning

Yes, we can work on toilet learning, even at this young age! Wearing cloth allows a child to become aware of the feelings of wet and dry throughout the day. Some parents choose cloth diapers for this reason. Others will transition to cloth underpants when they are ready to focus on this area of independence. Either way, it is a worthwhile commitment. We will begin offering your child a chance to sit on the toilet once it becomes common that their diapers are dry after waking from naps. We will communicate this with you and when you are ready at home, we will make changes in both environments. Once a child makes the transition to underpants, we never look back, and the disposable diapers are gone forever. We have found that maintaining consistency across home and school, and in the daytime and the night, leads to the desired results more quickly than if you use pull-up diapers – even just at bedtime. It is big work for both child and parent. This is work that only starts while the child is in the Nido and continues into their toddler classroom. Please know that we will work with you as part of your team to assist your family in achieving this goal successfully.

Sign Language, Spanish & Music

Over the years, we have discovered the importance of incorporating sign language into our curriculum. We begin to use American Sign Language with the individual child at an early age. This process oftentimes alleviates the frustration a child begins to show when he/she is unable to make himself/herself understood. Using simple signs has lessened the tantrums and acting out we have seen in the past with children at about six-to-eight months of age and beyond. You will likely be surprised at how quickly your child begins to use sign language to tell you what he/she needs. The Nido faculty will provide you with instructions for the signs we use in the environment. Please make certain that you always verbally repeat the word connected with what you are signing. Infants are exposed to Spanish during weekly visits from our OFMS Spanish teachers. Nido staff will incorporate the vocabulary we know as we can. Exposure to music is woven throughout our day. However a child chooses to experience music - singing, watching, listening, moving, or sitting still - we know important learning is taking place. Research has shown that music stimulates the neural pathways in the brain associated with intelligence and abstract-thinking, leading to stronger abilities in science and mathematics.

Illness

Our faculty strives to be observant of your child’s health and wellbeing. Upon any signs of illness, we will notify you to discuss their condition. Some health concerns are manageable in our classroom setting (diaper rash, scrapes and bruises, administering medication), while others are not.If we notice symptoms of a contagious or potentially serious illness, we will ask you to pick up your child. Please refer to the OFMS Parent Handbook: Illnesses: Is my child too sick to go to school section for additional information. Health concerns that call for a child to go/stay home include:

• Fever

• We will check a child’s temperature under the arm if they seem uncomfortable, warm, or are acting out of character.

• If the temperature is 100.4F or greater, we will notify caregivers.

• The student must remain fever-free, without the use of medications, for 24 hours before returning to school.

• Vomiting

• Sometimes there is a fine line between spit-up and vomit. We base our decision on knowledge of the child’s usual habits.

• If the volume, consistency and/ or contents of the substance are significantly different from normal, we will notify caregivers.

• Diarrhea

• Two or more watery stools within 24 hours will be considered diarrhea. Please communicate with us if your child has had any bouts of diarrhea at home.

• If the volume, consistency and/ or contents of the diaper are significantly different from normal, we will notify caregivers.