Parent Guide
Infant Care vs. Toddler Care
The jump from infant care to toddler care is bigger than it sounds. Different needs, different rhythms, different ways of measuring a good day.
Infant care (roughly 6 weeks – 12 months)
Infant care is about relationships and rhythms. Babies need a small number of consistent caregivers, predictable response to their cues, and lots of one-on-one time. The "curriculum" at this age is feeding, sleeping, comforting, talking, reading, and the slow build of trust.
A good infant room is quiet, calm, and individualized. Each baby has their own feeding plan, their own nap schedule, and their own pace.
What to expect:
- Individualized feeding and nap schedules
- Daily reports tracking bottles, ounces, naps, diapers, mood
- Safe-sleep practices (back-sleeping, firm crib, no loose bedding)
- A few familiar caregivers your baby learns to trust
- Sensory play, tummy time, music, reading — gentle stimulation, not overwhelming
Toddler care (roughly 1 – 2 years)
Toddler care looks completely different. Toddlers walk, run, climb, talk, throw, and want to do everything themselves. They thrive with predictable routines but need real freedom to explore within those routines.
A good toddler room is busier than an infant room — but the structure is still child-led. Big-motor play, music, books, sensory bins, art, and constant rich conversation are the building blocks of language and learning at this age.
What to expect:
- Group routines (circle time, snack, outdoor play, nap)
- Early academic exposure through play — letters, numbers, colors, shapes
- Social skills coaching (sharing, taking turns)
- Potty training when the family is ready
- Daily reports on activities, meals, naps, mood
How to know your child is ready to move up
Most schools transition children from infant to toddler around the first birthday — but the timing should be developmental, not just calendar-based. Signs your child is ready:
- Walking, or close to walking
- Eating mostly table food
- Drinking from a cup
- Showing interest in older children
- Tolerating a single longer nap instead of multiple shorter ones
A good school will partner with you on the timing. Some children move up at 11 months; some are happier in the infant room until 14 or 15 months. There's no wrong answer.
What to look for in either room
- Caregivers who get down on the floor and engage
- Children who look relaxed, not anxious or overstimulated
- Clean diapering and feeding areas
- Real safe-sleep practices (in the infant room)
- Real conversation, books, songs — not just supervision
- Daily communication that helps you feel connected to your child's day
At Marietta Academy, both rooms are bilingual (English and Spanish), DECAL Quality Rated, and led by caregivers trained in infant and toddler development. See our infant program → or see our toddler program →
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