Orientation Guide – Toddler Program
Week #1
Monday – short morning visit (no routines/transitions), 9:30 – 11:00 with parent for entire time in program
Tuesday – second morning visit, a little longer 9:30- 11:30, again with parent in program for entire duration of visit
Wednesday – morning visit 9:30- 12:15- extended to possibly include lunch with parent entire time in program
Thursday – morning visit arrival 9:30, with first short (15-30 minutes max) separation from parent during free play when child is settled in program. Parent must stay onsite during separation, return and have lunch & circle around 11:15
Friday – morning visit arrival at 9:30 with longer separation, based on the previous day’s experience, possibly even through lunch & circle. Parent stays onsite. Returns to see sleep room and leave 12:15
Week #2
Monday – first day back from weekend arrival at 9:30 – Separation when child is settled in program. Attempt the same longer separation lunch and circle – at this time parent on site, working from staff room and available to return if needed. Parent to return and assist with sleep routine – if child goes to sleep, parent may grab quick lunch and return to classroom for the child’s wake-up. Home right after sleep when they wake
Tuesday – similar schedule to previous day 9:30 arrival, will depend on how orientation is going, stay for afternoon snack with parent and then home. Departure 3:00
Wednesday – similar schedule, perhaps a wake-up with parent on site but not in the classroom – depending on how that goes, to snack independently and have parent back after snack, short play and home. 9:30- 3:30 length of day max.
Thursday & Friday – will depend on progress earlier in week. 9:30- 3:30 length of day max.
Please keep in mind this is a guideline; we will work together and watch for child’s progress, security and comfort level throughout. Also important to note that we stress a gradual building up to longer days, in first few weeks we recommend shorter days to support child’s integration.