Toddler FAQ

Toddler FAQ's

Toddler FAQ's

Toddler Frequently Asked Questions?

How often does my child get their diaper changed?
We follow a diaper changing schedule throughout the day. However if a child needs to be changed, the teachers will do so right away.
What is the procedure for diaper changing at American Montessori?
We follow procedures given to us from the Department of Health and Human Services. Parents are asked to bring all diaper changing items, such as diapers, wipes, change of clothes, diaper ointments (require permission form to apply) and disposable gloves for the teachers to wear. Teachers will let the parents know when the supplies are low. All items will be kept in a individual container in the child's classroom. Parents are responsible for writing the name of their child on their items.

When do you start potty training my child?
At American Montessori we work with the parents to determine a good time to work on potty training. As potty training involves a lot of parents help and commitment at home as well. The teachers will encourage the parents to potty train their child at home for a couple of weekends before training them at school, this will help the child become more comfortable with the process. Thereafter the child will be taken to the bathroom at school within every hour or less depending on the child's needs. We hope parents do the same at home to keep the child on the same schedule. During the initial stage of potty training during nap time the children will still wear pull ups or diapers. We also encourage parents to leave extra sets of clothes for their child in case of accidents. Remember this is one the most stressful stages in your child's development, so as adults we have to remember to be patient and give a lot of positive reinforcement. Also every child is unique, some children may take longer than others to get trained (girls have a tendency to get trained faster than boys). Forcing a child into potty training can hinder the developmental stage.

Where and how would my toddler nap? Each toddler is given a cot to sleep on, these are disinfected after each use. Parents should bring a blanket and a soft animal from home, these will stay at school during the week and be brought home on the weekends. Teachers will rub the toddlers backs while listening to soothing music to put them to sleep. Some toddlers sleep 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

What is provided for breakfast, lunch and snacks?
Breakfast is served until 7:30AM, NO EXCEPTIONS. Children are served dry cereal with milk. Parents are asked to bring a fruit for their child to accompany their breakfast. We also serve orange juice. Lunch is catered in, please pick up a menu from the school or download one from the online forms page. Children are served cold lunch on Thursdays and a hot lunch the rest of the week. Milk or orange juice is served with lunch. Snacks - Children are given fruits, vegetables or crackers with orange juice. We occasionally will provide a different type of juice or chocolate milk along with treats of Popsicles, ice cream, cookies, etc.

What type of food can I bring for my child's birthday? Parents are asked to bring a small treat to share with their child's friends in their class. This can NOT be a homemade item, it must be store bought. (MN Dept of Health regulation) Please discuss with your child's teacher before bringing anything, so we are aware. If you want to bring hats and party favors you may do this as well, but please discuss with the teacher before you do.

What type of clothing should my child be wearing? Children can wear comfortable simple clothes. We ask that the shoes they wear are Velcro type shoes as this assists the teachers in preparing the children for playtime, changing, etc. Giving the teachers more time to spend with the children as a group.

How is the school kept clean and disinfected? When parents first walk into American Montessori one of the first things that they notice is how clean the school is. Teachers take a lot of time during the day to keep the school continuously clean and disinfected. The table tops are cleaned before and after serving meals with a diluted bleach solution (According to state regulations). Shelves and materials are cleaned weekly. Soft toys are washed weekly. Any equipment or materials that have been in a child's mouth, is disinfected right away. Teachers vacuum consistently throughout the day and the carpet is shampooed 2 - 3 times a year. Bathrooms are cleaned constantly throughout the day and then a final cleaning in the evening with diluted bleach solution. We strive to keep our school clean for you and your child.