Transitions are also important as children move from one age group to another within the center. It is, again, a new environment with new adults and peers. When it is determined that your child is almost ready to move into the next age group due to his/her age and developmental level, he/she will begin to visit his/her new classroom at various times of the day.

These visits will usually be 1 or 2 hours at a time and special attention will be given to how your child reacts to the new setting. Again, some children adjust more quickly than others and need more time to transition. The length of these visits will gradually increase so that after 2-4 weeks, your child will feel comfortable about being in his/her new classroom interacting with people and participating in new activities.

The transition period for infants into the toddler program usually requires the most time. This transition period will often begin 1 to 2 months before the actual move takes place. The designated caregiver of your child from the toddler room will first visit your child in his/her familiar infant environment.

After several visits into the infant room, your child’s current caregiver will visit the toddler room with your child. After your child demonstrates that he/she is comfortable in this new environment, he/she will spend time in the toddler room without his/her infant caregiver. The amount of time will increase until your child is ready to spend the whole day in his/her new room with ease.

Infant staff will continue to visit your child in his/her new room until the transition is complete. You will also be invited to be a part of this transition by spending time with your child in the new room during some of these early visits. These transitions are an important part of our philosophy of nurturing and providing quality care for your child.