Early Learning Begins Here

During this important first year, your baby will be loved, cared for, and stimulated for optimal growth and development at Bright Years Academy. The program philosophy is to meet an infant’s needs on demand, developing their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Babies communicate in their own ways, so our Teachers commit to spending one on one time with each child to develop close, personal relationships. By prioritizing mindful interactions, Teachers earn the trust of each child.

In addition to Bright Years Academy providing exceptional care and education for children, it’s important that parents experience genuine peace of mind. We encourage families to visit with their child before their first day to familiarize them with their Teachers and new environment.

Infant Classrooms with Room to Grow

Infants feel comfortable and at home in their Bright Years Academy classroom, which has the feel of a cozy nursery. Our well-organized, safe, and clean environments make for a relaxed experience for both child and Teacher.

Each infant classroom has a special floor area with extra padding for infants to enjoy tummy time and comfortably play, while they practice their rolling, sitting, cruising, and crawling skills.

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How Children Grow, Explore, Discover, & Learn

Each moment of caring for a child is a potential learning experience. Everyday activities allow for valuable interactions between Teachers and children. These experiences, such as diaper changing and feeding, are opportunities for individualized learning experiences. Our Teachers know that learning occurs in the tiny moments, and these small lessons have a significant cumulative effect on a child’s development. When you entrust us with the care of your child, the Bright Years Academy community loves and knows how to educate and care, engaging together with smiles, laughter, and learning.

 

Our Infant Program focuses on the following Early Learning & Development Standards, and each domain below includes some examples of many learning progressions that Teachers will present to children:

Cognition

When infants hear sounds, such as a Teacher jingling a toy, they orient toward the sound, and then their Teacher praises them for this response to reinforce the behavior.

Social & Emotional Development

When infants smile and giggle at the sight of their Teacher or a trusted adult, and when an infant cuddles with a favorite toy to self-soothe.

Physical Development & Health

When a Teacher places a ball just out of reach of an infant and the infant rolls over or crawls to reach for it, and when and infant express joy as they breathe in fresh air and feel the warmth of sunshine during a baby buggy ride outside.

Early Language, Communication & Literacy

When infants show a look of understanding as a Teacher says, “Are you hungry?” and when infants begin showing a shared attention to a book as a Teacher reads it.

Creative Arts

When infants sway as they hear music, and when they willingly participate in vibrant hand and footprint artwork, which is ever-popular in the Infant Program.

Early Scientific Inquiry

When infants show understanding for cause and effect, such as pushing a button on a pop-up toy to make an animal appear, much to their delight.

INFANT CLASSROOM FEATURES:

  • Sturdy, safe cribs, which are kept clear of non-essential items to meet Connecticut state regulations regarding visual supervision
  • Clean, comfortable, and secure diaper changing stations
  • Carpeted floors for babies to comfortably crawl around
  • Extra-padded mat areas for daily tummy time
  • Furniture with smooth, rounded corners
  • Small-modeled floor shelves with baskets of colorful and stimulating manipulatives
  • Soft climbers to encourage large motor development
  • No shoes — only socks and booties are allowed in our infant classrooms to keep the floors extra clean

What will my Infant learn today?

 

During the first year of a child’s life, their rhythm and preferences are ever-changing. You can count on Teachers to adapt schedules to evolve with the changing needs of infants. Upon enrollment, parents complete an initial Infant Daily Schedule Form outlining their child’s current preferences for eating, napping, and communication style. As the child’s first year progresses and changes occur, parents can continue to edit the form to keep their child’s Teacher up to date.