Hummingbirds
Infant, Toddlers & Twos
The Hummingbird environment provides for the needs of young children in the first two stages of their development: bonding and separation. Creating a secure attachment and building trust is of utmost importance for infants. The Montessori approach to infant care provides a stable and nurturing relationship with caregivers where daily routines are an opportunity to connect relationally, while having physical needs met in a calm and interactive way. Infants are encouraged to participate in all the activities related to their care: feeding, dressing, changing diapers, etc. Fostering curiosity by slowing down and allowing the child to see, touch, and try creates an atmosphere of independence and safety in exploration. The Montessori infant environment removes obstacles that might restrict a child’s movement. Sturdy supports within reach allow the infant to begin to pull up and explore walking. A weaning table with a low chair is used rather than a high chair. Materials provided for exploration support fine motor development.
Books, music, songs, and artwork are chosen for their artistic beauty and simplicity so the infant is not overwhelmed by too much stimulation. Communication and collaboration between teachers and parents help to maintain consistency for the infant, which is essential for cultivating trust in life. The rhythms of the infant’s day are individualized, allowing the child to eat when hungry and sleep when tired. The needs of the child are responded to with communication and adjustment, making transitions gentle and peaceful.
After having created a secure bond, toddlers are ready to explore their autonomy and independence. As toddlers realize they are a separate human being, they alternate between a delight in their independence and a sense of insecurity. The toddler wants to explore the world but wonders if it is safe.
Our Montessori environment supports the toddler by providing a prepared environment where the world is made accessible but conforms to their sense of order. Toddlers benefit from a predictable sequence that allows them to make sense of their world. As toddlers explore their newfound independence, they develop the ability to enter the classroom without the assistance of parents.
This environment is a place where toddlers can begin to explore social relationships. The children learn how to communicate with friends, take turns, and assert boundaries. With guidance from teachers, toddlers cultivate peace promoting habits that will be carried with them into future relationships.
Toddlers explore a variety of Montessori materials that develop early learning skills. Gentle hand over hand guidance is given when a toddler is still learning how to use a material, but soon the teacher retreats and allows the toddler to do their work independently. Guidance and careful observation are two pillars of Montessori education evident when working one-on-one with a teacher.
Communication
Communication between parents and teachers is a central value in the Hummingbird environment. Parents are encouraged to exchange phone numbers to correspond with head teachers by text. This is a direct line of communication that can be used to ask questions, relay important information, and receive occasional photos of your child. If your child will be arriving or leaving at a time that differs from his or her normal schedule, please notify head staff ahead of time via text. Parents will receive a daily Hummingbird Note that provides detailed information about their child’s day. Spontaneous conferences at drop-off or pick-up are discouraged. Concerns need to be shared away from the children. Conferences may be scheduled with the head teachers.
A monthly newsletter will include pictures of the children’s time at school. These newsletters are also an opportunity for parents to learn more about Montessori philosophy and method with the hope that this will assist them in their parenting journey. A signed release will allow this information to be shared with other parents in the school. Emails will be sent from the office containing a copy of the newsletter.
Daily Schedule
Nightingale Montessori offers half, full, and extended day options for both infants and toddlers. Five consecutive days are required for children, as they are establishing a predictable routine. The infant schedules are individualized and less structured, allowing for their natural rhythms to be honored. A daily schedule describing the flow of the day is posted. Each day, children are provided with opportunities to develop their fine motor and gross motor skills through a variety of materials and activities. Additional areas of development include: physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language. Prompt and consistent arrival times allow children to fully participate in the predictable sequence of activities and eliminate confusion.
Carline
Carline drop-off is from 8:30-8:40. A NM staff member will assist your child to his/her classroom. If you have business to take care of in the office, someone in the office will assist the child to the classroom. If you will be arriving after 8:40, please call the office at 937-324-0336 when you arrive. A member of the office staff will come out to help your child to the classroom. We want to foster independence by allowing the child to say goodbye at the car, rather than having the parents walk away from their child in the classroom. If you feel there is important information that needs to be given to the head teacher regarding your child, please send the teacher a text message containing the information.
If your child is a half-day student, pick-up is at 12:00. Parents may remain in their vehicle in carline. A staff member will bring your child to you.
If your child is a full-day student, pick-up is at 3:10 Monday-Thursday. Pick-up is at 2:10 on Fridays only. Parents may remain in their vehicle in carline. A staff member will bring your child to you.
At 3:15 (Monday-Thursday) or 2:15 (Fridays only), your child will join aftercare if he/she has not been picked up. There is an additional fee for this service. Aftercare is available until 4:00 daily.
Items to Bring
All children are provided with a labeled box for their personal items. Parents will need to provide the following: diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream (optional), and at least 2 season appropriate full changes of clothes. If you choose to provide diaper rash cream, you must fill out an official ODJFS Request for Administration of Medication. Please check your child’s Hummingbird Note daily to see when these items need replenished. Please do not send your child in clothing or shoes that will restrict his/her ability to fully enjoy our outdoor environment. Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home. Our environment is carefully prepared to provide engagement in learning.
Lunch
Nightingale Montessori is a Team Nutrition School. Lunches packed should adhere to the Smart Snack guidelines. Missing food groups (grain, protein, fruit, and vegetable) will be supplemented with NM catered foods. Containers should be chosen for independence. Gourmet Grub, our school lunch program, is available to the Hummingbirds. Breakfast is free. The cost of lunch is $2.00 per day. The Free and Reduced Lunch Program can be applied for through the office. The lunch menu is available online. Go to www.nightingalemontessori.org, scroll down to Parent Information, and click on the Nutrislice link. Lunch begins at 11:30 and includes all students. Half day students need to be catered or pack a lunch. They will end their morning with lunch.
Diapering & Toilet Training
Children may attend in either disposable diapers or cloth diapers with covers. Soiled cloth diapers will be sent home daily. Please provide a wet bag for this purpose. Diaper rash cream should be given to staff members – do not leave in the diaper bag or lunch boxes. The child must have an official ODJFS Request for Administration of Medication filled out to receive diaper rash cream or medication of any kind.
Toddlers stand for diaper changes. Teachers offer the opportunity to sit briefly on a potty chair at each diaper change. Teachers and parents will communicate about signs of readiness and, when appropriate, offer more frequent opportunities to use the toilet.
Napping
Napping infants under the age of 18 months will be provided with a crib. Sheets are provided and are washed weekly, or if soiled. Neck pillows, boppies, and bumper pads are a strangulation hazard and will not be placed in cribs. Infants under 12 months will be placed on their backs to sleep unless a sleep position waiver signed by a physician is on file. Cribs are for napping and will not be used for isolation. Infants will be permitted to sleep until they wake up independently, unless there is an extenuating circumstance communicated to the teacher. Infants may use a swaddling blanket, provided by the parent, until they are able to roll over. Once the infant has the ability to roll over, a sleep sac may be provided by the parent for use. At 12 months old, the child may use a thin receiving blanket provided by the parent.
Cots are provided for toddlers 18 months and older. Sheets are provided and are washed weekly, or if soiled. Please send a season appropriate blanket with your toddler. Toddlers will be offered an opportunity to nap after lunch. If the toddler is unable to fall asleep after a short rest break, the child will be able to choose quiet work.
Behavior Management Plan
Teachers and staff at NM use developmentally appropriate techniques relevant to the circumstances and suitable to the age of the child. Child guidance and measures are consistent and explained to the child. All situations are addressed at the time of the incident. Such techniques include but are not limited to: setting clear limits, redirecting the child to an appropriate activity, instructing the child in positive alternatives, modeling the desired behavior, reinforcing appropriate behavior, encouraging the child to cooperate and communicate appropriately with others, and assisting the child in controlling behavior or solving problems.
When using developmentally appropriate separation from the situation, separation shall last no more than one minute for each year of age. Separation will not be used as a technique with infants. When the child is invited to return to the activity, the teacher will review the reason for the separation and discuss with the child what behavior is expected.