Inside Our Infant Classrooms

The first year of life is a very important one. Babies go through so much change during this time, from learning to roll, sit, and crawl to trying new foods and exploring the world around them.

Sometimes it feels like they change overnight, and that’s because in many ways, they do! Their little brains grow faster in those first twelve months than at any other time, and we have the power to encourage that growth by providing opportunities for stimulation and interaction.

We are proud that parents at Jelly Bean Junction find those opportunities inside our infant classrooms. Our curriculum is designed to nurture children as young as six weeks old, with programs that support sensory stimulation, cognitive awareness, and motor development.

“I would highly recommend Jelly Bean Junction in Loveland! We sent our infant daughter here and absolutely loved our experience. The staff and teachers are so kind, caring, compassionate and understanding - they really make the experience special and we always felt so welcomed there.” - Tiffany A.

Activities That Support Early Development

Even though each baby has their own routine for eating, sleeping, and playing, we make sure to include activities throughout the day that support early development. From sensory exploration to movement and early language exposure, these experiences help babies learn about the world around them in ways that are fun, engaging, and age appropriate.

STEAM Learning

Many activities in the infant room focus on early “STEAM” learning (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). While that might sound advanced for babies, it often looks like simple sensory exploration. For example, babies might explore different textures like slime or other soft sensory materials. As they touch, squeeze, and move these materials around, they’re discovering how things feel, move, and change, teaching cause and effect and early observation skills.

Physical Development

Our infant classrooms also prioritize activities that help babies practice movement and build body awareness. For example, teachers might create baby-safe obstacle courses during floor time where they can crawl over pillows, across blankets, or around other soft objects with guidance and support. Or maybe our teachers blow bubbles, encouraging babies to reach, stretch, and move their bodies as they try to grab the floating bubbles.

“We incorporate a lot of activities that strengthen muscles and improve coordination and balance,” explained Brittani Cherry, Director of Childcare. “Anything that helps build the gross motor skills they’ll eventually need to crawl, stand and walk.”

Music

Music is another favorite (and important!) part of our infant program. It naturally engages several of a baby’s senses at once and creates lots of opportunities for movement and exploration. When babies play with instruments like maracas or small drums, they quickly discover that shaking or tapping them makes sound. At the same time, they’re building important motor skills. Grasping a maraca helps develop fine motor control, while tapping or drumming with an open hand helps strengthen larger muscles and coordination.

Songs are also a fun way to support early language development. Many children’s songs include simple, repetitive lyrics, which help babies begin to recognize patterns and cues in language. Even before they can talk, babies are listening closely and starting to pick up on the rhythms and sounds that form the building blocks of future reading and communication skills.

Language and Literacy

Language development is woven into just about everything we do throughout the day. During activities, teachers might describe what babies are seeing, touching, or experiencing, introducing new words along the way. They also make a point to “talk with” babies, not just talk to them. That simply means pausing after saying something to give babies a chance to respond, even if that response is just a small sound or a smile. Over time, these small back-and-forth interactions help babies start to recognize the rhythm of conversation.

Reading time is another big part of building early language and literacy skills, even for the youngest babies. When teachers read while holding them, babies start to notice the sounds of language and focus on the pictures and patterns in the book. Simple counting books, songs, and nursery rhymes introduce rhythm, repetition, and early number concepts, while simultaneously building a connection between baby and caregiver.

Learn More About Our Infant Childcare Program

The first year of life is full of growth and discovery. Inside our infant classrooms, you’ll find teachers who deeply care about the children in their care, and a safe, nurturing environment that promotes growth, encouraging babies to explore, interact, and develop at their own pace. 

My baby girl quickly formed attachments and loving bonds to the staff and administration at Jelly Bean. I can honestly say I have NEVER questioned whether my daughter has been well taken care of or if she was safe while in their care . . . I highly recommend this daycare to anyone and am so very lucky that I found such loving people to care for my baby while I'm at work.” - Kathleen F.

If you’d like to learn more about our infant program or get a firsthand look inside our infant classrooms, schedule a tour at one of our locations.

FAQs About Our Infant Classroom:

When can my infant start at Jelly Bean Junction? Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers cater to infants as young as six weeks old. We offer two separate classrooms for infants, with the first for babies six weeks old through six months. When they reach six months, they transition into our second infant room where they stay until they are one year.

How many infants are in the classroom?

We are committed to maintaining staff-to-child ratios as required by the state of Ohio. This creates an environment that is not only safer but also more engaging and responsive to the unique needs of each child.

Do you use sign language in the infant classroom?

Sign language is an important part of our infant curriculum.  We teach our infants sign language because we feel it is important to communicate with them.  Sign language also reduces the amount of frustration a child might feel during this period of time while they are increasing their language skills. We teach different signs throughout the day while we are using corresponding words. Teachers share these signs with parents so they can be a part of this learning process with their child.

How are your days structured in the infant rooms?

Every baby has their own routines for eating, sleeping, and play. Our caregivers and teachers will take time to familiarize themselves with your child’s preferred routines, One thing that does stay consistent, however, is our commitment to incorporating activities throughout the day that support physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.