Toddler Programs

Using Our Senses

Using the five senses is the most natural way for babies to learn. Utilizing the A Child’s Academy Curriculum, we plan activities emphasizing sensory, language, music and motor skills in a safe and healthy place.  We begin sign language with our babies and toddlers to give them a way to express their wants and needs before they are able to speak (common signs are “hungry”, “tired”, “more”). Having an alternative way to communicate before speech develops gives us a way to know what our children are thinking.

Our highly experienced caregivers work with parents to build partnerships through personal care plans, daily conversations and daily reports to keep you informed about your child’s day. The Daily reports also keep you informed about supplies that are needed, as well as weekly progress of individual goals such as sitting up, reaching for toys, crawling etc.

To help give our classrooms a sense of home, parents are encouraged to bring in family pictures. ACA has an open door policy and parents are always encouraged to visit and spend time in the classroom. These partnerships, along with consistent, individualized care are key to creating an environment of infants’ trust and development.

The health and safety of your child is of the utmost importance to us. Our toys and floors are cleaned and sanitized 3 times a day. Cribs are not shared and crib sheets are laundered on a daily basis. No toys, blankets or other items are allowed in cribs with the child at any time. All items are clearly labeled with your child’s name and stored together.

Curiosity drives young children to investigate.  Our toddler program provides choices while supporting curiosity.  Our toddler program includes activities to support learning through exploration, sensory activities, dramatic play, language and small muscle activities.

Our teachers and the administrative staff continuously make themselves available if you have any direct questions or concerns.

The ACA curriculum is a comprehensive plan that contains ample teachings for using books, music, nature and toys to illustrate Christian fundamentals. Themes include lots of age-specific and appropriate stimulating learning activities for ages birth-8 months; 9 – 16 months; and 17 – 23 months.

Once your child becomes more mobile, we stimulate development in a variety of ways:

1. Physical Engagement. Very young children develop at a fast pace at this stage, so they require gross motor activities to help build and fine-tune their movement skills. We offer several developmental activities for our toddlers, which is fun for both the child and the caregiver.
2. Intellectual Stimulation. Through verbal exchanges, playing music, making various noises, we encourage your one-year-old to explore objects for size, shape, color, texture, movement, position, and sound. Our goal is to facilitate bottle holding, fingering foods, picking up small objects, and learning to creep, crawl, and walk.
3. Social Development. By interacting with familiar people and each other, toddlers at A Child’s Academy receive reassurance and nurturing at all times. Our caregivers offer a gentle touch and a calm voice while encouraging friendly play.

ACA – TODDLER PROGRAMS

A Child’s Academy has been serving Gainesville Florida as the go-to preschool, VPK, After School Care, Summer Camp, and Gainesville Daycare services for over four decades.