Q. What are the child-to-staff ratios for the infants?
A. A 3:1 (infant:adult) ratio is maintained at all times, which exceeds the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations (requiring a 4:1 ratio).
Q. How many infants are cared for at one time?
A. ABC’s Infant Program has one classroom with a maximum capacity for 14 children. However, ABC maintains the infant classroom under its capacity and provides care for no more than 12 infants at any point in time. This ensures children have a more personal experience while being cared for at ABC.
Q. Does ABC provide any enrichment classes for the children? Are there any additional costs involved?
A. Infants enrolled in ABC’s program participate in monthly yoga enrichment classes. Enrichment classes are part of ABC’s regular program, and no additional costs are involved.
Q. Do I get a daily report or information about my child’s day?
A. Yes. Parents receive a daily emailed progress report that includes detailed information about the child’s day including feeding, napping, and diapering, along with photos and sometimes videos of their child in action. Parents may add as many email recipients as they would like to the daily report enabling everyone to be on the same page (i.e.: babysitters, grandparents, etc).
Q. Can I change my days after enrolling my child into the infant program?
A. Yes, if we have space and can accommodate your schedule request, we will do so. Otherwise, you will be placed on a waitlist, and when the days you request become available, we will accommodate your request.
Q. Can I drop off my baby if I need care on additional days that he/she is not registered for?
A. No. ABC does not offer a drop-off program for its infant or toddler programs. Children in this age group need stability to feel safe and secure, and we believe that a flexible and varying schedule will work against this.
Q. Does ABC give any credits for days missed due to vacations or illnesses?
A. No. ABC does not issue any monetary refunds, credits, or “make-up days” for days missed from daycare.
Q. Am I allowed to visit my child during the day?
A. Yes, ABC has an “Open Door Policy” for parents to visit and view their child anytime during the day. However, we encourage parents to view their child from the security monitors in the main office to avoid interaction with their child. Children who are learning routines at daycare often become upset when their parent comes back and then leaves again without their child. Young children in daycare learn that after saying their “goodbyes” at drop-off, the next time they see their parents is when they go home with them. When children do not go home for the second time with their parents, it may evoke feelings of confusion and insecurity. Parent visitation also upsets the other children in the classroom because they would like their parents there, too. This may evoke feelings of sadness and frustration from the other children.
Q. Do infants go outside during the day?
A. Yes, when weather and scheduling permit, infants are taken for walks around the neighborhood and to the local park in 4-person strollers and/or baby carriers. Teachers may sometimes lay blankets in the grass in a shady area with small toys to allow babies to play in a supervised area in the fresh air.
Q. Does ABC have its own outdoor area?
A. No.
Q. How will teachers put my baby down for a nap?
A. Teachers at ABC will replicate similar techniques to put infants to sleep as their parents do at home. These may include rocking, rubbing, patting, soothing, and so on.
Q. Does ABC provide food for my baby?
A. No. Every parent is responsible for providing prepared bottles and food from home. Children at this age are on their own schedules and are exposed to different foods at different times. Due to the risk of an allergic reaction, all new foods must be tried at home before being brought into the center.
Q. My child is still being breastfed. Am I allowed to bring expressed milk in bottles for my baby?
A. Yes. ABC allows parents to prepare bottles containing expressed milk to feed their baby that day. Due to a lack of storage space, we cannot store frozen breast milk.
Q. Do you have a nursing area so I may breastfeed my child during the day?
A. ABC does not have a nursing area. Parents can prepare bottles containing breast milk to feed their children throughout the day.
Q. Do you heat bottles in microwaves?
A. No, ABC does not use microwaves to heat bottles. Bottles will be heated in a bottle warmer at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit for no more than 5 minutes. After warming, bottles will be mixed gently, and the temperature will be tested before feeding to ensure it feels warm but not hot.
Q. Do you accept cloth diapers?
A. ABC only allows children with commercially packed, disposable diapers.
Q. What happens if my child gets sick during the day?
A. ABC has a strict Illness Policy. If your child falls ill during the day, you will be contacted to pick up your child as soon as possible. In the meantime, your child will be separated from the children and made comfortable until you arrive. If your child is sent home early, then he/she must be kept home for a full day (24 hours) and may return to ABC only when the symptoms are no longer present and when a doctor’s note is presented stating that the child is well enough to return to daycare.
Q. Are you able to give my child medicine?
A. No. ABC is not licensed to administer any type of medication (prescription and/or non-prescription) to children.