There is one full-day, year round program for four children who are a year old by September 15(toddlers) and four children who are under the age of one by September 15(infants). The program is offered from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Using the model of a primary caregiver and continuity of care, each licensed teacher is responsible for the care of a co-hort group of four children for three years. This primary caregiver is responsible for the play, diapering, meals and nap activities of his or her co-hort group. This model promotes the development of the attachment of every child to the primary caregiver, and, in turn, promotes optimal social, emotional, communication, and cognitive development. Teachers assess each child's development on an ongoing basis in order to plan, implement, and evaluate activities to meet each child's needs. Teachers interact with each child during caregiving routines, including dressing, diapering, and feeding in order to provide each child with responsive, respectful, and reciprocal care.
Continual attention to health and safety practices are evident throughout the program day. As part of the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, a daily nutritious lunch will be served in addition to a morning and afternoon snack. Nursing mothers or expressed breast milk are welcome. For families choosing to use formula, they may elect to use the brand purchased by the Lab School( Carnation Good Start-iron fortified) at no additional cost or they may bring in a formula of their own. Parents provide the diapers and wipes for their child.
The children who are one-years of age or younger by September 15 are selected for this program based on age and gender using a lottery system. Transportation is the responsibility of the family. Siblings of children currently enrolled in the Lab School will receive special consideration, but no guarantee is made that siblings will be enrolled.
When considering enrollment for the infant and toddler program, it is important to consider the child's tolerance for interaction with many ISU student participants who have short-term contact with the children and the program. ISU student participants are assigned to teachers throughout the day to practice and learn safe, healthy, nurturing caregiving behaviors. In addition, each practicum student will have the opportunity to practice assessing, planning and implementing individualized activities with each child in order to meet individual needs. Other students, off-campus visitors, data-collectors, and researchers are able to observe the high quality care program from the spacious observation booth, which is equipped with audio and video-taping equipment. ISU faculty and students can also observe the activities through closed-circuit television for teaching purposes.
A $25.00 nonrefundable processing fee is due when the child is accepted for enrollment in a program. A deposit fee of $300.00 is due upon acceptance into one of the programs for enrollment. When given a thirty day written notice of withdrawal from the program, the deposit fee will be applied to the final bill.
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