Family Handbook 2018-2019

31 Shadows Shadows are defined as trained staff providing individualized support for a specific child requiring assistance to benefit from the daily activities of the learning environment. The use of shadows will be determined on an individual basis. Transitions The Mailman Segal Center’s Infant and Toddler Program practices Continuity of Care. Continuity of care occurs when children and their caregivers/teachers remain together for extended periods of time. At MSC we practice Continuity of Care by having children and their caregivers/teachers remain together from infancy until at least two years of age. When children transition to preschool, they then remain with the same peers and teachers until they go onto kindergarten. This practice supports the formation of close, nurturing relationships between caregivers, young children and their families, and builds trust, the foundation of further development. These quality relationships then support children’s further growth, development and learning. Parents are invited to visit their child’s classroom prior to their first day in the Infant and Toddler Program. Parents can also stay with or visit their infant any time throughout the day. Infant and Toddler teaching staff will invite you to describe your child’s feeding and sleeping routines, temperament and preferences, and accommodations will be made whenever agreed. Prior to end-of-school-year transitioning from the Infant and Toddler Program to the Family Center Preschool, or from one preschool age group to another, families will be invited to an Open House where teachers describe typical routines and experiences and where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and visit classrooms. At the beginning of the new school year, an orientation will be hosted for new families transitioning to MSC. The administrative team will provide an introduction to the program and you will meet your child’s classroom teacher. To help children transition to their new classroom placement, a ‘Get Acquainted Day’ is also provided. Children and parents will explore the classroom environment, participate in fun activities, and meet the teaching team. Note that it is MSC’s philosophy that children typically transition to new classrooms with their familiar peers. Transitioning to kindergarten is a big step for most families. Our goal is to be supportive throughout this process. During the spring semester, the prekindergarten teaching team will present a ‘Transition to Kindergarten’ meeting to share information about what to expect and how to support children’s successful transition to the elementary school. Violence-Free Environment MSC’s early learning programs strive to make our classrooms a place where children feel safe and secure. While we support an environment where children have opportunities to develop their potential through imaginative play, we discourage war or weapon play using media- sponsored toys or materials. To help us create an environment free from representations of violence, please do not send play or printed materials (books, invitations, stickers, etc.) that promote war and superhero scenarios to school.