Parkside Preschool and Daycare in Chico

                                                                      (Age 0-12 months)

        Parkside’s infant room is a soft and warm place to bring your baby.  We provide a sterile atmosphere. Our staff wears shoe covers that do not leave the infant room; this is to help keep germs out of their environment. All toys are sanitized between uses. Every child has his or her own crib. We provide nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack to all children. We support mom’s that are breast feeding by properly storing and preparing milk and providing a comfortable place to feed, if your schedule allows. We change diapers every two hours or more if needed, and to let you know when your baby is changed or fed; we provide a daily report of their activities. The “Daily” includes diapers changes, meals and/or bottles, and naps. The babies go on walks in the park and to the Nature Center, which is only two blocks away. Our infant play ground has four swings in the shade, a small bike path, and a tug boat as a sand box, water table. The infants are exposed to a rich environment of singing, puppet play, book reading, baby sign language, encouraging words to learn and explore, and friendly staff to make your baby feel welcome and important, because they are.  

                                                              (Age 12 months - 24 months)

             Circle time: Sing songs that include hand/ eye coordination and interaction with the caregiver and other children. Ex: Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Read books that have vivid colors, shapes, textures, as well as books that include people of the world and the things that they do. Sign language is taught on a small level to help children communicate needs with caregiver.

            Teacher directed activities: These are activities that need adult supervision but they are important to a child’s development. For example a sensory table allows children to play with rice. Picking it up and watching it fall back into the table gives them the experience of its texture and its sound as it falls back into the table.

            Free Play: The child has an opportunity to choose something non teacher directed. The child could play in the soft play area, or dress up in the dramatic play. This is an opportunity for the child to explore things that they like.

            Art: Includes but not limited to finger painting, gel painting, washable markers, chubby crayons, and making foot and hand prints in clay. This allows the teacher to hang and display art in the class to bring a sense of pride and accomplishment to the child.

            Outside play: Children can swing, ride push bikes, play with rubbers balls, and dig in a small sand box. We also take them on walks through Bidwell Park letting them enjoy the beautiful surroundings that are right at our door step.

            Washing: Each child washes there hands with the help of a caregiver. It is our goal to implement good cleaning habits in the beginning of life in hope that it will become a life long habit.

            Meals: Each child’s meal is age appropriate. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided. We serve healthy fun foods. Our menu is always changing and we post the menus every week.

            Diapering: Diapering is done every two hours or sooner if needed. We take this opportunity to talk, laugh, and smile with each child. Diapering should be a pleasant part of their day.

            Nap: The children listen to soft music while having their backs rubbed or patted. This helps them to fall asleep more easily.