The Toddler Years
From Baby to Big Kid
The toddler years are magical and messy, exhausting and exhilarating. Your child is discovering they're their own person—with opinions, preferences, and a strong desire to do everything themselves. "Me do it!" becomes the anthem of toddlerhood.
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Our toddler program honors this drive for independence while providing the structure, safety, and support that helps young children thrive. We create an environment where toddlers can practice new skills, test boundaries, navigate big feelings, and build confidence, all while having fun with friends who are on the same journey.
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Language explodes. Motor skills develop rapidly. Social awareness emerges. Potty training begins. Through it all, our experienced teachers guide your toddler with patience, consistency, and genuine delight in their growth.
Our Toddler Approach
Independence with Support
We encourage "I can do it!" while providing scaffolding. Toddlers practice self-help skills, make choices, and solve problems with teacher guidance nearby.
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Language-Rich Environment
Constant conversation, narration of activities, songs, books, and questions that expand vocabulary and communication skills during the critical language development window.
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Movement & Exploration
Toddlers learn by doing. Climbing, running, jumping, pouring, stacking, building—we provide safe spaces for active, hands-on exploration all day long.
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Emotional Coaching
Big feelings are normal. We name emotions, validate experiences, and teach regulation strategies. "You're frustrated the tower fell. Let's take a breath together."
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Social Skills Development
Learning to share, take turns, use gentle hands, and play cooperatively. Teachers model and guide positive peer interactions throughout the day.
A Typical Toddler Day
Our toddler schedule balances active play with quieter moments, outdoor time with indoor exploration, and child-led activities with teacher-guided experiences.
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Arrival & Morning Play
Warm greetings, breakfast for early arrivals. Free play at centers—blocks, books, puzzles, dramatic play. Teachers observe interests and engage one-on-one.
8:30-9:00 AM
Morning Meeting
Circle time with songs, movement, books, and calendar. Children practice sitting together, taking turns sharing, and building community.
9:00-10:30 AM
Active Learning & Small Groups
Sensory tables, art projects, building challenges, dramatic play. Teachers rotate through small group activities while others explore independently.
10:30-11:30 AM
Outdoor Exploration
Park walks, playground time, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, nature observation. Gross motor development through climbing, running, jumping.
11:30 AM-12:15 PM
Lunch & Self-Help Skills
Family-style lunch with teachers. Practicing utensil use, pouring, serving themselves, cleaning up. Conversation and manners.
12:15 – 2:30 PM
Rest Time
Stories, lullabies, dim lights. Most toddlers nap; non-nappers have quiet activities like books and puzzles. Teachers prepare afternoon activities.
2:30 – 3:00 PM
Wake Up & Snack
Gentle wake-up with soft music. Afternoon snack, potty breaks, transition back to active play.
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Afternoon Exploration
Second outdoor time weather permitting. Art, music, building, dramatic play. Teachers document learning, send Tadpoles updates.
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Pickup & Family Connection
Calmer activities as friends are picked up. Teachers share highlights of the day with families. Daily summaries sent via Tadpoles.
Learning & Development Focus
Cognitive Growth
Problem-solving through puzzles and building. Cause-and-effect understanding. Early sorting, matching, counting. Memory and attention span development.
Language Explosion
Vocabulary expanding from 50 to 1000+ words. Two-word phrases to full sentences. Following multi-step directions. Asking "why?" constantly.
Physical Skills
Running, climbing, jumping with confidence. Improved balance and coordination. Fine motor skills—crayons, beads, zippers. Learning to use utensils effectively.
Social-Emotional
Parallel play evolving into cooperative play. Empathy emerging. Beginning to share and take turns. Identifying and expressing feelings with support.
Creativity
Imaginative play blossoming. Scribbling becomes purposeful drawing. Music and movement for expression. Dramatic play and storytelling.
Self-Care & Independence
Potty training with consistency and patience. Washing hands independently. Putting on shoes/coat with help. Feeding self with minimal mess.
Toddler Spaces & Features
What Makes Our Toddler Room Special
Child-Height Everything: Low sinks, toilets, shelves, coat hooks—designed for toddler independence
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Safe Climbing Structures: Soft play equipment for developing gross motor skills safely indoors
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Sensory-Rich Materials: Water tables, sand, play dough, textured items for hands-on exploration​
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Cozy Reading Nook: Soft cushions, board books, picture books for quiet moments
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Dramatic Play Kitchen: Pretend cooking, dolls, and real-world role-play materials
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Building Zone: Large blocks, Duplo, stacking toys for construction and spatial skills
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Rest Area: Individual cots in a calm, quiet space for nap time
Teachers Who Inspire Young Learners
Preschool teaching is an art. Our teachers balance honoring children's ideas with intentional skill-building, creating space for play while introducing academic concepts, and supporting social development while maintaining a joyful classroom community.
Early Childhood Specialists
Degrees or credentials in early childhood education. Deep understanding of toddler development, language acquisition, and social-emotional needs.
Patient & Positive
Calm redirection, positive language, and endless patience for "why?" questions. They genuinely enjoy the energy and curiosity of toddlers.
Partners with Families
Regular communication about milestones, challenges, and celebrations. Collaborative approach to potty training, behavior, and transitions.
Low Turnover = Consistency
Our toddler teachers stay for years. Your child builds secure attachments and doesn't experience constant teacher changes.
Staying Connected Through Tadpoles
As a working parent, you want to feel connected to your child even when you can't be there. The Tadpoles app makes that possible with daily updates.
Photos & Videos Throughout the Day
See your toddler painting, building, playing with friends, dancing at circle time. Multiple updates so you never miss the action.
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Meal & Snack Logs
What they ate, how much, any new foods they tried. Helpful for tracking eating patterns and discussing at pediatrician visits.
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Nap Tracking
Exact nap times logged so you can plan evening routines. Know if they had a long or short nap before pickup.
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Potty Training Updates
Real-time potty successes and accidents logged. Parents and teachers stay aligned on training approach and celebrate progress together.
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Milestone Celebrations
First time using a two-word phrase, successful potty use, sharing with a friend—you're notified immediately of every achievement.
Toddler Program FAQs
"Our daughter went from a baby to a confident, talkative, independent toddler in this program. The teachers were patient through potty training, celebrated every new word, and helped us navigate the 'terrible twos' with humor and expertise. We couldn't have asked for better partners during this wild stage!"
Amanda & Marcus
Toddler Parents, Logan Square