At Golden City Family Child Care, our philosophy for the Infant Care Program is dedicated to creating a loving, safe, and stimulating environment that supports the growth and development of infants. We recognize the significance of nurturing physical, emotional, social, and intellectual skills during this foundational stage. Our caregivers are well-trained in the principles of child development, ensuring that each infant receives attentive care, encouragement, and praise.

Age Group

We welcome infants from 6 weeks old.

Feeding

Parents are encouraged to provide five pre-made bottles daily, clearly labeled with the infant’s name and the current date. As infants progress to various stages of baby food, we collaborate with parents to establish a personalized feeding plan. Daily updates regarding feeding times and intake will be communicated to parents.

Diapering

We ask parents to supply diapers for their infants and provide daily reports on diaper changes, including timing and details.

Program Overview

Our program emphasizes trust and positive interactions, fostering a strong sense of self-esteem in infants. Through daily routines and sensory experiences, we promote listening, language skills, and exploration of the world around them. Play activities target both large and small muscle development, catering to skills such as sitting, crawling, and grasping.

Communication with Parents

Daily communication is a cornerstone of our program. At drop-off and pick-up times, parents receive verbal and written highlights of their child’s day, ensuring they are closely informed about their child’s activities and milestones. Parents are always welcome to visit, join for meals, or simply spend time with their child.

Social-Emotional Development

Infants go through various stages of emotional and social development, which include:

• 0 – 1 Month: Begins to bond and express emotions primarily through crying.
• 4 – 10 Weeks: Starts social smiling.
• 2 Months: Engages in early social games.
• 3 Months: Distinguishes familiar faces and responds to voices; begins to recognize parents.
• By 12 Month: Develops fears of unfamiliar people and places; begins to form a sense of self.

Language Development

Language skills evolve significantly during infancy, beginning with basic responses to sounds and leading to the first words by around 12 months. Development stages include:

• 0 – 1 Month: Responds to voices and cries to express needs.
• 6 – 12 Months: Engages in sound games, imitates sounds, and communicates through gestures.
• 12 Months: Starts using first words.

Physical-Motor Development

As infants grow, they develop critical physical skills:

• By 1 Year: Triples birth weight and begins to take first steps.
• 4 – 12 Months**: Progresses from rolling over and sitting up unaided to crawling and eventually walking.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive abilities also emerge rapidly during this stage, with milestones including:

• 0-1 Month: Responds to stimuli, particularly mother’s voice.
• 8-12 Months: Develops object permanence and begins to solve simple problems.

Cultural Awareness and Identity

In these early years, infants acquire essential skills for healthy development that lay the groundwork for future learning and success. Nurturing relationships with caregivers fosters curiosity and a desire to learn. Individual developmental rates may vary; if parents have concerns, consulting a pediatrician is encouraged.