Our Infant program begins at age 6 weeks.

At Starmaker Learning Center we believe that the INFANT stage in a child's development is critical to the formation of a loving, trusting child. We treat infants as a developing individual, with the respect due to them. Though the infant cannot verbally communicate with us, communication is a vital part of the child's development. Interaction between our staff and the infant takes the form of touching, singing, talking, etc. We want to provide a rich, warm environment for your child. As part of this effort, each child is held during bottle feedings. This close contact helps to develop the child's feeling of being loved. Parents are encouraged to participate in the child's day as frequently as possible.

Six Weeks to Two Months:
"The Symbiotic Period" is the first two months of life. This is the time when the child develops a basic trust in the world. There should be at least one person ready to meet his needs at all times as he adjusts to life outside the womb. Being fed when hungry, being able to sleep when tired without being awakened, being shown love while being changed, bathed and dressed, hearing familiar sounds, music, voices, and a heartbeat while being held all help this basic trust to develop.

Two Months to One Year:
"The Basic Trust in Self Period" occurs between age two months to one year. Free movement in a safe and limited space such as a large mattress on the floor, a child's room, or a "baby-proofed" living room will do more than anything else to help the child develop in this area. This means being able to move without cribs, playpens, swings, carriers, or walkers; being able to move according to developing abilities, gradually pulling up to a standing position and walking, freeing hands for the hand-brain work of the next stage. (We must have written permission from the parent to provide this environment. The state requires that each child be provided a crib, unless the parent specifically gives us permission to provide the child with a mattress on the floor.)

Environment
Our infant area has been designed specifically for this stage of the child's development. The room is bright and cheerful with selected "toys" to aid in the development of the child. The changing area has a large sink with specially designed handles for easy cleanups. We have a separate infant play yard equipped with toys appropriate for the child.

Staff
Our staff is composed of fully qualified and highly motivated people who are trained in the care and developmental of infants. Senior staff members are trained in infant and child CPR. We have a staff to infant ratio of 1:3 with extra help available as needed.

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Toddler Program

Our Toddler Program is designed for children who are walking and up to approximately 24 months of age.

The "period of practical life" extends from approximately 12 to 24 months. This is the time when the child's real life experiences show him that he is a capable and valued individual. By participating in the daily activities of family life (for example: washing fruits and vegetables, setting the table, clearing the table, washing up, watering plants, watering the garden, sorting laundry, folding laundry, putting laundry away, sweeping, dusting, etc.), the child learns he is valued as a contributing member of the family unit and of his class. Given responsibility, the child learns self-control and self-limits.

Once this foundation is laid, future learning for children is easier. They have a positive self-image, they trust themselves and are sure of their ability to function in the world.

During these first years, the child's self-confidence in language usage also is developing. The more we talk to the child and listen to the child, the more he will attempt to communicate. The child will take in whatever language or languages are used in his environment during these early months. He needs to hear, from the very beginning, clearly enunciated language of people talking with each other and to him.

Environment
Our toddler area has been designed specifically for this stage of child development. The room is bright and cheerful with selected "toys" to aid in the development of the child. We offer the toddler a large variety of items from which he will learn and activities to stimulate the child's growing imagination. To help those children who are READY for toilet training we have a child-sized sink and toilet in the room. We have a separate infant/toddler play yard, equipped with age appropriate toys. Outside playground equipment includes: balls, a playhouse, trikes, swings and a sandbox with digging tools.

Staff
Our staff is composed of fully qualified and highly motivated individuals who are trained in the care and developmental stages of toddlers. Senior staff members are required to be certified in infant/child CPR. We have a staff to toddler ratio of 1:3 with extra help available as needed.