Toddlers

When you enter a Toddler Classroom, you will see teachers ready to listen, learn and play. We listen to your child’s interest to create a classroom environment that cultivates creativity and provides a safe place to express themselves and explore their world.

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About Our Toddler Program

Research shows that the brain develops more during the years between birth and age three than any other timespan. Our skilled caregivers understand this and plan activities that include your child’s interests while honoring their developmental needs. We ensure that those budding brains can grow during their day with our Green Garden family. At Green Garden we expect a toddler to experience what we call big emotions. Teachers in our campuses are equipped with the tools necessary to honor your child’s feelings and adapt the classroom environment accordingly.

The HighScope Curriculum

Daily Routine

  • Arrival
  • Greeting time & Message Board
  • Planning time
  • Work time
  • Recall
  • Snack
  • Small group activity
  • Large group activity
  • Lunch
  • Nap
  • Outside
  • Care giving routines

Social Emotional Development

Within a given day, toddlers can be expected to have a full range of feelings: just like adults! At Green Garden we expect toddlers to express themselves even if it isn’t positive or “happy”. Developmentally this is appropriate and we are here to help them navigate these big feelings. Our staff acknowledges these little ones’ feelings and offers support for how to calm down. This might look like giving a five-minute warning before a big transition, or asking the child to take deep breaths and use the calm down corner.

Child-led play

Toddlers are curious and we want to keep it that way! While our toddler classrooms do have a basic routine of the day we also recognize that things happen. Young brains wander and we utilize this beauty whenever we can. If during a small-group activity a child sparks an idea for the entire class, we follow the idea and see how we can implement it. Open-ended art supplies and toys are available daily all within a childs’ reach. Children get options on whether or not they would like to play and we’ve found that in the long-run this helps them not only express themselves, but also stand up for themselves as they grow into preschoolers.

Learning to Communicate

Our toddlers are practicing communication skills by greeting their classmates daily and by practicing songs. When a two-year-old notices the excitement on their teacher’s face when they enter the classroom they are immediately aware of the love present in the room. For some children, words take time. We understand this and use developmentally appropriate literary supports to help our young speakers.

Conflict Resolution

Disagreements and upsets can be earth shattering for our children. Crashing blocks and items being grabbed from hands are frustrating experiences and interrupt a child’s stream of play. At Green Garden, we help support our toddlers by approaching adversities with calm voices, gentle hands and easy-to-understand narration. Using too many words with toddlers can often confuse them or further perpetuate their problem. Our staff watches, listens and guides children by stating what they see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is discipline addressed?

We utilize a gentle approach as we see all behavior as a form of communication. Our job is to help meet the need being communicated and utilize the opportunity as a tool to teach.

Can we start potty training?

When your child starts showing they are ready we are happy to support their potty-learning journey.

Why Choose Green Garden?

Nutrition & Wellness

We embrace a healthy approach to childhood nutrition and wellness

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Family Focused Community

We aim to be extension of home, not a watered-down version of school

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Curious Learning Movement

We create intentional “YES” environments that foster autonomy and develop inquisitive thinkers

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Gardens & Growth

We believe nature offers never-ending opportunities for growth and learning

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Outdoor Classrooms

We build spaces outside of our buildings to continue learning throughout every moment our day

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What Parents Are Saying

My two kids have been a part of the Green Garden family for a few years now. This place is not a day care, it is more of a learning facility. Green Garden and the teachers provide a great and loving environment with lots of activities. My kids love going to school and they love the teachers. I also like the fact that the food that is provided is organic. That is important in today’s society, especially because of the use of pesticides. I also like the owner of Green Garden. I see her all the time. She is involved in the daily activities and she provides good benefits for the teachers. Better benefits for the teachers should mean more talented teachers. Overall, this is a great place and one of the better decisions my wife and I made for our children.

Doug W.

As a new mom trying to navigate Covid, I was extra cautious when it came to selecting a facility that would make us feel safe but that also felt like home. We found that in Green Garden – the staff is wonderful and engaged, communicative and kind and our son has a blast every single time he goes to school. We recently moved into the older toddler program and our only regret was having to say goodbye to Miss Nekeshia. Thank you so much to everyone at GG!

Marney B.

Dropping your infant or child off at daycare for the first time is such an emotional event. The staff at Green Garden really help to make this transition more comfortable. The teachers here are so kind and you can easily tell that they are passionate about their jobs. Both my children are excited every morning to go in. It makes those drops offs so much easier when your little one has a smile on their face and talks about their teachers at home. Additionally as a plant based family we have greatly appreciated their organic, vegetarian menu. They are also very welcoming and supportive of LGBTQ families. A truly warm, enclosing and welcoming environment.

Aleigha P.

All three of my children attended Green Garden and we couldn’t be happier with our experience there. We transferred from another local day care facility when my oldest was 2 years old, before the other kiddos were born, and it was the best decision we ever made. Green Garden staff are caring and knowledgeable. Everyone at Green Garden was attentive to our children’s medical needs, and the directors have always been quick to respond to questions, concerns and last minute schedule changes. I am impressed with how little staff turnover they have, which is unusual in the child care industry. The teachers truly became an extended family to us, and I will miss them as my youngest heads off to kindergarten. My favorite part of our experience at Green Garden has been the unique classroom setting, coupled with lots of nature and outside time! I also loved the sense of community, with “after-hours” family activities that helped build relationships with other Green Garden families. Our children learned so much and made lifelong friendships. I cannot say enough good things about Green Garden!

Christina C.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best child care center I’ve ever encountered. They actually do put children first, they don’t just talk about it (as so many centers do as they become overly concerned with numbers and finances). It’s incredible to watch them grow – both physically and in mission to children and families – and to contribute so strongly and positively into their community. Highest recommendation possible.

Jenny P.

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