CLASSROOMS
INFANTS
Infants will always be held while being given their bottles.
We provide one brand of formula, Parent’s Choice with Iron which families are asked to accept or decline. Accepting is at additional cost.
Self-feeding of finger foods and self-holding of bottles and sipper cups, when developmentally appropriate, is encouraged and supported.
All infants will be put down to sleep on their backs. Back sleeping is the safest method and adheres to American Academy of Pediatrics standards.
Following DHS regulations, infants will not sleep in car seats or swings or bouncer seats. Cribs are used for napping at all times.
Teachers include music, books, blocks, textures, colors, pictures and a lot of conversation to encourage language development
Infants who have not developed into self-movers quite yet will be moved from one activity to another around their classroom to encourage and support their development and self-confidence.
Infants who are crawlers are encouraged to move freely and explore their environment.
As they begin to take on the challenge of learning to stand and walk, they’re supported and encouraged by providing stable furniture to pull up, learn to stand and eventually side step and let go.
As your child prepares to take the big step of moving to our toddler classroom, they will be eating table food, using a sipper cup instead of a bottle, have transitioned from two napes to one afternoon nap schedule and will no longer be using a pacifier while in care. 

TODDLERS
Children wash their hands daily upon entering their classroom, after potty, before and after eating, after playing outside and multiple more times throughout their day.
The teachers will introduce brief small group times filled with stories, songs and engaging activities. They enjoy music, dancing, movement and instruments.
Teachers encourage language and literacy development through enriching conversation and asking open ended questions.
Teachers support mathematical and scientific thinking through daily exploration, problem solving and scientific inquiry.
Dramatic play is provided to stimulate imagination and encourage social, emotional, and language development.
Teachers provide a safe, nurturing environment that promotes positive social and emotional development. We do this through developmentally appropriate practice such as assisting children in emotions regulation by teaching deep breathing and calming exercises as well as naming the emotions and modeling self-regulation skills.
We spend time outdoors, exploring the playground, exercising our muscles and encouraging the curiosity that keeps toddlers engaged.
We have indoor classroom climbers to encourage gross motor development and cooperative play.
Toddlers have a daily nap time. Families provide a crib sheet to cover their cot, a blanket and one soft item that may be used during this time. All bedding is to be taken home on Friday, washed and returned Monday for the new week.
Self help skills will be introduced such as putting on coats, assisting with changing of clothing when accidents happen, assisting with folding blankets or sheets after nap, self-clean up after meals and assisting with toy and center clean up when moving on to a new activity. Children thrive on having some responsibility for their environment.
Teachers begin potty training in cooperation with parents, when ready, age appropriate once transition the older toddler classroom.
PRESCHOOL
Children wash their hands daily upon entering their classroom, after potty, before and after eating, after playing outside and multiple more times throughout their day. Hand sanitizer is also used as needed throughout the day but is not used as a substitution for hand washing.
Teachers incorporate science, mathematics, music, movement and instruments, literacy, cooperative activities, group time and outdoor play within the day. Group time is also a time to discuss upcoming activities and the day ahead. The length of classroom activities is determined by the age of the group.
Science, engineering, technology and mathematical concepts (STEM) are explored and reinforced by hands-on materials and experiences.
Dramatic play areas stimulate imagination, encourage social, emotional, and language development and encourage cooperative play with the sharing of ideas.
Literacy is in every area of our classrooms. Children are encouraged and supported as they learn to recognize letters, numbers and short words. Labeling and picture identifications are displayed in multiple languages and sign language is introduced within all age levels.
Teachers use age-appropriate dance, music, games, books and free-play to develop gross motor, fine motor and verbal skills.
Children are encouraged to use and expected to demonstrate positive social interactions with all peers throughout their day.
Teachers use redirection to avoid conflict in the classroom.
Children continue to build on their self-help skills when dressing, putting rest items and mats away, cleaning up after meals and when moving from one activity or center to another.
Preschoolers have a daily rest / nap time. Families provide a crib sheet, for their rest mat, a blanket and one soft item that may be used during this time. All bedding is to be taken home on Friday, washed and returned Monday for the new week.
Field trips are planned several times a year and parents are invited to join us.
SCHOOL AGE
We have a summer school age program that begins in June for those who are Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Children have the opportunity to be involved in various activities including science, math, cooking, art and crafts, computer time, and journaling.
They are provided with opportunities to get to know their classmates, express their ideas, set classroom rules that encourage cooperation and respect, to look beyond themselves, support each other and their community.
They enjoy a variety of onsite summer events sponsored by our PTA.
They take field trips weekly to picnic and explore local parks and events. Events include mini golf, Crayola, the movies, DaVinci center, National Industrial Museum, SteelStacks, bowling and walks for ice cream. There are activity fees which cover field trips and a list is provided when your child is enrolled.
Children enrolled in the previous summers are given first available spaces. Remaining spaces will go to those on the waitlist.
Enrollment packets for summer care are given to parents in mid-May. All enrollment forms must be returned to the administrative office a minimum of 10 days prior to the first day of anticipated care and must include the registration fee. Registration for our summer program begins at the end of the current summer for the following year and is to be confirmed in February.
REACH OUT TO US TODAY!
Reach out to Sayre Child Center today for all your child's early education and care requirements. Our facility is licensed each year by DHS and undergoes inspections by the City of Bethlehem Fire and Health Department to guarantee top-notch safety and quality. We offer well-rounded programs that caters to the cognitive, social, emotional, and nutritional needs of children from 6 weeks to 5th grade.