What do I need to bring to class?

• Backpack/school bag

• Change of clothes (including socks and underwear) in a gallon size Ziploc bag. Please keep this in your child's backpack at all times.

• 2 Diapers/Pull-ups (as appropriate for your child).

• Lunch box
  Please do not send messy foods that are hard for your child to handle like pudding, Gogurts© or yogurt. They can handle fruit cups better if you have time to drain some of the juice ahead of time. We want lunch time to be fun and not tearful over spilled yogurt or pudding. (It's more fun to eat your lunch than it is to wear it.)

 

Important things to remember as you come to MDO each day…

Hand Washing

Before entering the classroom, please wash your child’s hands with soap and running water in the bathroom next to the MDO entrance. When you sign in for the day, check the box next to your child’s name to confirm that your child has washed his or her hands. Hopefully, this will become a good habit so our little Chimps stay healthy all year! Your cooperation in helping to prevent the spread of germs is greatly appreciated!

 

Separation Anxiety

It is very common for children at this age to have separation anxiety, especially during the first few weeks of Mom’s Day Out. We find that the best way to calm a child is for mom or dad to say a quick goodbye and let your child know you will be back after lunch to pick them up. Most children cry as mom or dad is leaving and will quickly calm down after your departure. Please be assured that we will make certain your child is loved and helped through this transition. We will contact you if your child cannot be calmed. If you would like to check back before leaving the building, please ask Patti or someone at the desk to peek in to avoid upsetting your little Chimp again. If you must peek…please be discreet! (we've all been on that side of the counter).

 

Potty Training

At this age, many children will be potty training at some level. Please keep us informed of your child’s “potty progress” so that we can be consistent with what he or she is doing at home. Our bathroom is well designed for this age and is equipped with special toddler sized potties and a special step stool to encourage the children to “make bubbles” while washing their hands when they are finished. Dress your child in “potty friendly” clothing (onesies look nice, but make a trip to the potty a little difficult). Elastic waist pants or shorts are easier for us and for them to work with. Speed is very often a factor in success. Wet/soiled clothing will be returned in the Ziploc bag at the end of the day should an accident occur.

 

Illness

Please keep your child home if they are sick. It is important to follow MDO guidelines and policies that are posted on the counter. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, we will call you to pick up your child early. If your child is on antibiotics for a communicable illness, he or she must have been on the medication for at least 24 hours before returning to class. If your child becomes ill during class or is running a fever we will call you. Please be sure the phone number you write on the sign-in sheet is a number where you can be reached.

Discipline
We use a “1...2...3... Timeout” method for discipline. 

1. We will always give the child an opportunity to self correct.

2. If a child continues the behavior, a teacher will talk to the child to let them know the behavior is not acceptable and try to distract them from it or offer an alternative.

3. If after the second warning the behavior continues, the teacher will place the child in a time-out chair for two minutes (1 minute per year of child’s age).

At no time will we yell at, embarrass or spank a child. After time out is finished the teacher will talk about the behavior and let the child know he or she is loved and what is expected of them. If the behavior is aggressive (biting, hitting, spitting, etc.), the child will be removed from the situation and put in time out immediately using the same procedure.

Courageous Chimps Daily Schedule

9:00 - 9:20	Arrival and Check-In Puzzles or Jungle Time (Assisted Free Play)
9:20 - 9:30	Clean Up
9:30 - 9:40	Circle Time Bible story, weather, sing, count, move to music, special visitors
9:40 - 10:00	Snack and Diaper Check
10:00 - 10:40	Gym time or Tumbili Playground (on assigned days) We will go outside if the weather is nice.
10:40 - 10:45	Birthday of the Day, Shapes, Colors
10:45 - 11:00	Craft Time
11:00 - 11:20	Free Play or Centers
11:20 - 11:50	Lunch
11:50 - 12:00	Story Time Re-tell the story with a puppet or other prop
12:00 - 12:30	Finish Diapers and Parachute/Wheels on the Bus/Bubbles
12:30 - 12:45	Video/Quiet Time/Books/Puzzles/Table Activities
12:45 - 1:00	Parent Arrival