3 months to walking - Chickadees

A Home Away from Home

The goal of our infant program is to foster trust, support each child’s natural development, and nurture a lifelong joy of learning. We know that trust develops in an environment where caregivers respond attentively to the infant’s needs to be loved and accepted. Alongside love and nurturing care, our infants thrive in our setting that encourages curiosity and supports their natural desire to explore, discover, and learn.

Our Infant Curriculum

Infants learn by touching and responding to gentle touch, and by moving freely as they interact with their surroundings. The freedom to move and explore is essential to any infant’s development. Whether they are enthusiastically manipulating an interesting toy, quietly exploring the secrets of a mirror, scurrying about, or calmly enjoying a song, infants grow and learn emotional and intellectual independence through movement. For our youngest infants, this might be exploring soft scents and squishy textures with flower-infused playdough to touch, squeeze and smell. For an older infant, it might be leaf exploration on a light table where they notice patterns of light, shadows, and nature’s small treasures. Through these hands-on experiences, they begin to see beauty in every detail. These experiences are presented in the language of childhood: open-ended play.

At three little birds, we provide individualized learning activities that are appropriate for even the earliest stages of a child’s development. Our materials are provocative yet simple, and each is carefully designed to appeal to children at a given level of early development. Our children flourish in carefully prepared, familiar environments that respect, support, and respond to their basic needs for independence, exploration, and movement. Materials are displayed on low, open shelves and on floor mats, all within easy reach of even the youngest child. The explorations provided are geared at encouraging a variety of developmentally appropriate learning opportunities supporting each child's social/emotional well-being, development of their cognitive and reasoning skills as well as their language and fine/gross motor skills. 

Our Chickadees enjoy our Spanish music class weekly, baby yoga weekly and are also exposed to French daily.

A predictable sequence of activities and routine help our Chickadees feel very much at home. Our infants activate their senses and their awareness of the world around them with daily experiences. Teachers often would take the children out of the strollers to safely explore grassy areas of the park in nice weather. Once older infants are walking steadily, teachers encourage them to walk in the park, developing their gross motor skills and stamina.

Individual Care and Attention

As we are dedicated to providing every child with personalized attention and to fostering each child’s individual schedule, we work in tandem with parents. We bridge home schedules with how the school day flows, with flexibility on nap times and eating times. During these first formative years, we never lose sight of the infant’s need for individual care and attention. We know that through the quality of holding, feeding, and communicating, children acquire a strong and positive sense of self. While children are encouraged to be active, inquisitive learners, sensitive adults are always near to direct their exploration, to assist, or to gently comfort. Communications, both verbal and non-verbal, are also a vital part of our special infant program. Our infant class is a rich environment for developing language. The vocabulary of objects, activity, and feelings pervades every aspect of our program.

Close Communication with You

At the foundation of this approach is a desire to develop a strong relationship with children and their parents, meeting children’s needs, and providing opportunities to foster each child’s natural desire to discover through hands-on approach.  

We believe parents are the ones who best know their child’s routine, personality, and unique comfort level. We strive to maintain a constant dialogue and close relationship with every child’s family. In fact, our goal is to partner with families in shepherding the infant’s total development.  Drop-off happens right in the classroom, where your child is welcomed by teachers they know and love (not a stranger at the door!). You’ll have a moment to say hello and chat with the team before you head out. Infants bring special joy and need special care as they go about their very important and unique work of physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Our job is to provide an atmosphere that communicates unconditional love and acceptance; in turn, our quality care permits you to feel secure as you attend to your own daily activities. We will update you throughout your child’s day with pictures and antidotes to bridge that home school connection and keep you in touch with your baby during the day.

With all of us working together, parent, teacher and child, we create the magic of a home away from home.

Day in the Life of a Chickadee

(A gentle flow of care, play and discovery)

8:30-9:00 a.m. Arrival, Tummy Time & Morning Exploration

Good morning, little explorers! Children settle in with cozy greetings, gentle stretches, and open-ended play that invites curiosity and connection.

9:00-9:30 a.m. Morning Nap (Longer if Needed)

Peaceful rest for growing bodies — soft music, dim lights and sweet dreams.

9:30-10:00 a.m. Play & Discovery, Snack, Care Moments

Refreshed and ready to play! Babies explore textures, colors, and movement, followed by nourishing bottles or snacks and diaper changes with loving attention.

10:00-11:00 a.m. Outdoor Adventures

Fresh air, sunshine, rain puddles and nature’s magic — babies observe the trees, feel the breeze, splash around and delight in stroller walks, songs and sensory pay outdoors.

11:00-11:30 a.m. Rotating Enrichment (Spanish Music • Yoga • Creative Exploration)

A joyful mid-morning moment of movement, music or art — each day brings something new to discover!

11:30-12:15 p.m. Lunch 

A calm and cozy mealtime with gentle conversation and support as little ones eat and explore new tastes.

12:15-12:45 p.m. Care Moments

Fresh diapers, bottles if needed, and warm interactions that nurture comfort and connection.

12:45-2:15 p.m. Storytime & Rest

Soft stories and lullabies lead into afternoon rest — a peaceful pause for growing minds and bodies.

2:15-2:30 p.m. Snack & Care

Gentle wake-up, bottles or snacks, and diaper changes with a smile.

2:30-2:45 p.m. Music, Bubbles & Storytime

A joyful wrap-up to the day with songs, giggles, and favorite stories.

2:45-3:00 p.m. Dismissal

Warm goodbyes and sweet reunions — a day full of discoveries comes to a close (unless your Chickadee stays for aftercare!)

walking to 2.5 years - Hummingbirds

At three little birds, we see toddlers as capable, curious, and full of wonder. Independence grows naturally here — not through rigid structure, but through play, relationships, and daily routines that honor each child’s rhythm and voice.

Our toddler program is guided by a play-based, relationship-centered approach that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and independence. We believe learning unfolds in joyful, organic ways when children feel safe, seen, and deeply connected to their environment and community.

Play at the Heart of Learning

Play is our curriculum. Through open-ended exploration, toddlers experiment, imagine, and make sense of the world around them. Play nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and social connection — it’s how children construct knowledge, express ideas, and discover joy in learning.

A Living, Breathing Environment

Toddlers enter the learning environment with an innate sense of wonder, ready to explore and make meaning of the world around them. Guided by nature’s rhythm, their curiosity and joy in discovery inspire movement, experimentation, and connection. Within this freedom, concentration begins to bloom as children engage deeply with materials, music, and shared experiences. Each moment of exploration—whether in caring for themselves, their classroom, or one another—becomes an opportunity for growth and belonging. Through collaboration and community life, patience, empathy, and respect naturally take root. Families who visit our toddler environment witness how beautifully children thrive when given the space and trust to learn in their own way.

Our toddler classroom is designed as a warm, welcoming space that invites exploration and imagination. Our thoughtfully curated environment invites our students’ natural curiosity and sense of order to unfold—where movement becomes purposeful, discovery becomes dialogue, and communication emerges as a joyful expression of connection and understanding. Each area offers open-ended opportunities to play, create, and connect. Children can care for dolls in our baby-caring area, which encourages empathy, nurturing, and gentle role play. In the play kitchen, they engage in pretend cooking, social play, and language-rich storytelling. The building area invites collaboration and problem-solving through blocks, loose parts, and recycled materials. Our sensory tables offer hands-on exploration of textures, materials, and natural elements — fostering curiosity and thinking. The light table invites wonder and experimentation with color, shadow, and transparency. The art table is a space for creative expression, filled with open-ended materials. Our fine motor area provides simple, engaging materials that strengthen coordination and concentration through authentic play. We rotate our materials seasonally and thematically. This is a POWERFUL way to keep our students engaged and leaning through play.

The classroom is also rich in books, cozy corners, and spaces that bring children together to share stories, read, and make music. These spaces encourage connection, community, and the joy of learning together. We aim for a space that feels alive — responsive, evolving, and reflective of the children who inhabit it. Children express themselves through art, music, storytelling, and movement. The classroom is filled with open-ended materials that invite imagination, creativity, and experimentation.

Relationships and Responsive Care

We view caregiving routines such as diapering, meals, and rest as meaningful opportunities for connection and trust. Teachers slow down, offer choices, and invite children’s participation with respect for their pace and comfort. We understand that toddlers are growing, learning, and changing every day. We work closely with families to support each child’s unique rhythm and schedule. As toddlers experience new milestones and transitions, our teachers respond with flexibility and care — meeting each child where they are and adjusting as their needs evolve. While the class naturally settles into a routine, we remain attentive and responsive to your ever-changing toddler.

Music, Language, and Joy

Music and language are woven into our daily rhythm. We sing, dance, and listen together, using songs and movement to build language, confidence, community and joy. Spanish immersion is a natural part of our environment — children absorb the language through songs, routines, and conversation, developing a genuine connection to communication and culture, organically.

Collaboration and Community

We see learning as a collaborative process that unfolds through relationships between children, teachers, families, and the environment. Teachers observe and respond to children’s interests, creating projects and invitations that encourage shared discovery. We believe that families are essential partners in this journey — together, we create the living story of our classroom. Throughout the day, you’ll receive photos through our Brightwheel app, keeping you connected to your child as they explore, learn, and play. These include moments from group experiences as well as individual discoveries.

At the end of each week, we share a classroom blog that highlights your child’s activities, play experiences, and outdoor adventures. You’ll also get insight into your teachers’ intentions behind each learning invitation and creative setup. This ongoing communication helps strengthen the important home–school connection, allowing families to feel truly part of the classroom community.

Art and Expression

Art is everywhere. The classroom is the place where we spend our days so we make it a home with our art and intentional materials. With open-ended materials, toddlers explore texture, color, and form, expressing themselves in ways that are uniquely their own. Through drawing, painting, music, and movement, children discover their voices and the joy of creation.

Rooted in Nature

Our toddlers engage their senses and deepen their connection to the world through daily outdoor experiences that nurture wonder and discovery. Whether exploring nearby parks, playgrounds, or neighborhood destinations, they observe the natural rhythms of the seasons, the movement of light, and the small details that invite curiosity.

Nature is not just a backdrop—it becomes a co-teacher in our curriculum. Natural materials flow between the outdoors and classroom, inspiring art, sensory play, and inquiry. Leaves, stones, and flowers collected on walks spark stories, investigations, and conversations at circle time. Through these experiences, children learn to care for their environment, notice beauty in simple moments, and understand their place in a living, interconnected world.

Our Promise

Our goal is to nurture confident, joyful, and compassionate learners — children who feel empowered to explore the world with curiosity and heart.

Day in the Life of a Hummingbird

(A day filled with play, discovery, and connection)

8:30–9:10 a.m. Arrival & Play Time

Children ease into the day, exploring materials and connecting with teachers and friends.

9:10–9:30 a.m. Morning Circle (songs, stories)

We gather to sing, read, and share the start of our day together.

9:30–10:00 a.m. Choice Time

Children explore open-ended activities that invite curiosity and creativity.

10:00–10:30 a.m. Snack

A calm and social moment for nourishment and conversation.

10:30–11:00 a.m. Play & Transition Outdoors

Free play and preparation to head outside.

(On Fridays, music class takes place before outdoor time.)

11:00–12:00 p.m. Outside Adventures

Children explore and play outdoors, building confidence and connection with nature.

12:00–12:45 p.m. Lunch

A shared meal that encourages independence and community.

(Half-day dismissal at 12:45)

12:45–2:15 p.m. Nap

A quiet time for rest and relaxation.

2:15–2:45 p.m. Free Play & Bathroom

Gentle waking and calm play as the afternoon begins.

2:45–3:00 p.m. Closing Circle & Dismissal

We gather to reflect and end the day together.

3:00–6:00 p.m. After Care

Relaxed play and creative time with friends.

A Flexible Rhythm

Our daily rhythm offers a sense of comfort and predictability, yet flows gently with the needs of the children. Moments may expand or shift depending on the group’s energy, interests, and individual routines. Nap times and transitions are adjusted with care, honoring each child’s natural pace and rhythms throughout the day. If your child takes two naps, we will make those shifts in the schedule to accommodate.

Our curriculum is based on New Jersey State standards, and is built around deep core concepts appropriate for each age group. While at three little birds, children will build a tool-kit of problem solving skills and the confidence to use them. All students will be expected to raise questions, solve problems, and reason. We will instill in them the belief that they are capable of anything.