Infants
The infant program provides a physically and emotionally safe and stimulating environment for children. Caregivers are warm, responsive to the children's needs, knowledgeable about child growth and development, and aware of the importance of language development.
Infants are cuddled, talked to, and played with by the caregivers. The children are provided with toys and activities for healthy development. The classroom is very large, so there is plenty of space for children to creep, crawl, and practice walking.
Infants sleep on their own nap schedules and eat on their own feeding schedules. Formula and baby food are provided by the Day School. Nursing mothers are encouraged to continue to do so after their child enrolls into the School. They can come in anytime to nurse, and the Day School staff will cooperate in any way to support them.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
The toddler and preschool classes follow a unique daily routine suited to the developmental needs of each age level, but follow a similar progression: breakfast, morning circle time, morning outdoor play, lunch, nap time, and afternoon outdoor play.
Indoor activities include both structured and unstructured time, with activities to enhance language development, thinking skills, small and large muscle development, and social/emotional skills. Play is also emphasized, including indoor and outdoor, quiet and active, and individual and group play.
Structured time activities focus on number concepts, problem solving, science & nature, dramatic play, building with blocks, sand and water play, dancing, singing and listening to music, self help skills, and creative arts and crafts. Unstructured time includes outdoor play on the School's large, shady playground.
Music Class and Field Trips
The Day School participates in the pre-school Musicare Program. All of the classrooms, including the Infant Room, enjoy a weekly visit from their Musicare teacher for an age appropriate music class. There is no fee for the class.
The three year old and Pre-K classes walk next door to Durham's Main Public Library for a Library sponsored preschool program. The weekly program focuses on a variety of topics such as safety, science and nature, and health, and the children may engage in craft activities or storytimes, see live music performances, enjoy a visit from a fire truck, or watch short videos.
Each year, the three year old and Pre-K classes participate in additional field trips off site. Past trips have included the NC Zoo, a pumpkin patch, performances at Durham's Carolina Theater, Duke Gardens, and trips to the RBC Center to see touring productions such as Sesame Street Live or Disney on Ice.
