Child Care FAQ

Q: How do you start a new child in your program? What if my child cries the first day?
A: We use a Gradual Admission process as your child prepares to enroll in our program. This allows you and your baby or toddler to visit together the first day, and gradually over the next few days spend more time in the room. Eventually, your child will feel confident enough for you to go. They may cry a little, but we promise that won’t last. You can even call later in the day to see how your child is doing.

Q: Can I come visit my child during the day?
A: Absolutely! We encourage you to visit whenever you want. In fact, you are also welcome to arrange a time to volunteer an hour or a morning in your child’s classroom.

Q: Can we bring meals from home for our child?
A: We provide breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack as part of our fee. However, if your child has special dietary needs, you can provide your own food for him/her, as long as we have written approval from the pediatrician.

Q: What is special about IWSE’s classrooms?
A: IWSE’s two centers, Baby Toddler Nursery & Teen Baby Nursery have unique classrooms. Each of our infant AND toddler classrooms has only 8 children in it, which is deemed best practice by early childhood experts. In addition, we have exceptionally low teacher/child ratios; we have 3 teachers in each room. This classroom setup allows every child significant individual attention and developmental support.

Q: At what ages do children transition between rooms?
A: Infants transition to a toddler room at about 18 months and children in toddler classrooms transition at 36 months. Transitions occur only twice in our program. This allows children to develop strong attachments to the teachers, which supports optimal development. Transitions are planned well in advance, in consultation with the parents and following the cues of the child.

Q: What is a primary caregiver and will my child have one?
A: A Primary Caregiver is the teacher assigned to your child in order to form a strong attachment . While all the classroom teachers know and interact with your child, the Primary Caregiver knows him or her the best. Each child is assigned a Primary Caregiver when they first start in the room.

Q: Does my infant have to adhere to your schedule?
A: No, every infant enters our program on their own schedule. Over time and with consistent communication with families, we begin to develop routines to support your infant and help them adapt to the classroom schedule.

Q: What happens when my baby cries?
A: A baby cries to communicate a need. Our job is to meet that baby’s need. We pick up crying infants, determine what they might need and stay with them until they are calm and soothed again. We don’t let children cry unattended in any classroom.

Q: Will teachers read to my baby?
A: There are several parts of our curriculum that are particularly important to us, including the use of books and reading to children. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers have access to books all the time and are read to individually or in small groups frequently throughout the day.

Q: How often do children go outside?
A: Children go outside at least twice a day, weather permitting.

Q: What is tummy time?
A: Tummy Time is the time babies spend lying on their stomachs while they’re awake. It is important because it gives the baby a different view of the world, and it encourages an infant to lift his or her head, movement that strengthens the muscles of the neck and upper back. We make sure each baby has tummy time daily.

Q: Do IWSE teachers work on toilet training children?
A: Yes. We work with parents to help the child learn to use the toilet. We don’t rush a child, but follow their cues in the process. Parents are consulted and advised throughout the process. Sometimes it is easier for a child to learn to use the toilet at the center, because they see older children using the potty. We also have very small toilets, and that makes the process much easier.

Q: What are the credentials/educational levels of IWSE Teachers?
A: Head Teachers in each classroom are required to have a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood/Child Development or related field with at least 21 credit hours in Early Childhood. Teachers must have at least an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood or a related field and Assistant Teachers must be working on an Early Childhood degree.

Q: Do IWSE staff members have CPR training?
A: Yes, all of the full-time staff are trained in infant and toddler First Aid and CPR. We provide the training on-site.

Q: What does IWSE do to prevent the spread of illness?
A: We wash hands constantly (both ours and the children’s). For example we wash before and after diaper changes, before handling food, after wiping noses and after playing outside. We wash small toys twice each day in the baby rooms. We use a bleach water solution to sanitize many surfaces around the Nursery including food preparation areas, diapering areas, tables where children eat, the toy shelves, even the rug at the end of the day. We also take all children outside daily, weather permitting.

Q: What is IWSE’s discipline policy?
A: We very strongly think of discipline as teaching, so the vast majority of discipline or guidance in our programs consists of teachers talking to children throughout the day about what they are doing. If children are doing something that is unsafe or not okay the teachers explain why it is not okay and guide the child to another, better choice. Because we have small groups and 3 teachers, we don’t have many discipline issues. Children get a lot of attention and we are able to catch problems before they escalate.

Q: What happens when my child gets sick?
A: We have an illness and exclusion policy that we use in order to prevent the spread of illness. When a child gets sick at the center, we call the parents to pick up the child and ask that he or she is seen by a physician. Sometimes a child may need to stay home for a few days depending on the nature of the illness.

Q: What happens if my child gets hurt at the center?
A: The first thing we do is make sure your child and all of the others are safe. We wash off any scrapes and comfort your child. In addition, every accident or injury is documented on paper by the teacher who saw the incident happen. This paper is reviewed and signed by the Site Manager and given to you at the end of the day. Typically, we will also call you to describe the incident/accident and how we handled it. We don’t want you to be surprised at pick-up time!

Q: What precautions does IWSE take regarding who can pick up my child?
A: IWSE requires you to fill out an emergency card and list who is able to pick up your child. When that person comes for the first several pick-ups, we will ask them for identification, in order to make sure they are on your list. It always helps if you let us know before that person arrives so we know who to expect at pick-up.