Toddler Program

Learning through Exploration & Play

Our vibrant curriculum expands in toddler classrooms with specialist programming in art, music, movement, and exposure to a second language. Rich experiences combined with warm, loving care and stimulating environments lay the foundations of development in essential learning domains, from early literacy to social-emotional and motor.

Our Educational Approach

In the toddler years (ages 12 months to 3 years), our educational philosophy draws inspiration from the RIE® (Resources for Infant Educarers) and Reggio Emilia approaches to early learning and caregiving. While the RIE® approach emphasizes the importance of secure attachment and allowing toddlers to participate actively in their care, the Reggio Emilia approach introduces an emergent curriculum and focuses on democratic learning and relationships. This curricular framework caters to children’s budding interests with projects and investigations into a wide variety of topics and encourages collaboration among peers.  

We expand the children’s curriculum at this age with dual-language classroom options (Spanish and Mandarin) and additional specialist programming in art, music, movement and cooking/ nutrition. With improved movement, the children access learning environments beyond the classroom, including our atelier (art studio), piazza (spacious indoor play area), playgrounds, and the neighborhood community. As with all age groups, we tend closely to children’s physical development with organic, plant-based food made daily in-house. 

A Typical Day

Our Toddler Classrooms are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A typical day in a toddler classroom combines uninterrupted, free play with teacher-facilitated small-group learning and rich experiences in diverse environments. This structure creates a vibrant daily rhythm that meets the child’s essential needs for growth and development and sparks curiosity, joy, and a love of learning.  

Here’s what a typical day looks like:  

  • Arrival and Breakfast: We start our day with a nutritious family-style breakfast, fostering social interaction and independence as they begin their morning routine. 
  • Free Play and Small-Group Learning: Children engage in self-directed, free play and teacher-led, small-group activities, exploring various learning domains and developing social skills in a supportive environment. 
  • Community Walk: A morning stroll through the vibrant Fremont neighborhood (with options to ride in a stroller or walk freely depending on the individual child’s development) provides toddlers opportunities for outdoor exploration, fresh air, and connection with our community. 
  • Specialist Programming: Music, movement, art, and nutrition/cooking experiences with specialist teachers offer enrichment that stimulates creativity, promotes physical activity, and encourages healthy habits. 
  • Lunch: Toddlers gather for a family-style lunch, enjoying nutritious meals together and building healthy eating habits in a communal setting. 
  • Nap: A naptime period of approximately 2 hours provides toddlers with essential rest time to support their cognitive and physical health during this rapid stage of growth and development.  
  • Snack: After waking from their nap, children refuel with a healthy snack before resuming activities.  
  • Playground Time: We head outdoors to one of our two on-campus playgrounds, where children engage in active play, develop gross motor skills, and enjoy the fresh air, rain or shine. 

Nutrition

Nutrition is essential for healthy growth and development, especially in the early years. We invest in healthy foods for all children in our care. Our on-site organic kitchen prepares fresh, wholesome meals and snacks daily, ensuring your children receive the nourishment they need. Our menu offers a variety of flavors, textures, and recipes from different cultures to expand their palates, laying the foundation for a lifelong healthy relationship with food. 

Explore a sample menu!

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ready to join us?

We are currently enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year with options to start in summer.

Reach out today to schedule a tour or learn more about our infant, toddler, preschool and prekindergarten programs centrally located in North Seattle.

(206) 547-1433 

admissions@ourbeginning.com 

123 NW 36th Street, Suite 120

Seattle, WA 98107