Infant/Toddler Program (Fairfax ECLC)

For children ages 6 weeks–24 months
Monday–Friday, 7:30am–6pm (Full time only)

The Infant/Toddler Program continues to accept applications on a rolling basis. (Note: This program is for the Fairfax ECLC. For the Alexandria location's Toddler program, go to this page.)

Click here to download the 2018-2019 Early Childhood Learning Center registration packet.

The primary goal of our Infant/Toddler Program is to provide each child with the best of care in a clean and nurturing environment. Our nurturing Educators work to encourage each child in every stage of his or her social and emotional growth as well as to support and strengthen language and cognitive development. The daily routine is set up to provide stimulating experiences for children to learn and explore their environment through their own curiosity. 

Each child is given individualized care. In the Infant classroom, the children follow their own schedules until they begin their preparation for the Toddler classroom. All programming is developmentally appropriate. The children are stimulated through music, songs, language and interaction. A variety of safe toys are offered and utilized in order to stimulate growth and provide multiple learning opportunities. The Educators provide nurturing, sensory experiences and physical contact through holding, rocking, talking, and singing. We follow an emergent curriculum which is based on the children’s interests and ideas.

Two-, Three-, and Four-Year-Old Programs 

For children ages 2–5 years old (by 9/30) 
Part-time: Monday–Friday, 9am–1pm with Extended Day options
Full-time: Monday-Friday, 7:30am–6pm

Extended Day Options

For children ages 2–5 years old (by 9/30)
The Extended Day Program complements the morning preschool program and provides children with a warm, caring, and safe environment. Children participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities in a positive setting, orchestrated by a creative and qualified staff.

Extended Day Options*

Monday–Friday

Early Morning Extended Day:
7:30am–9am
Early Afternoon Extended Day: 
1pm–4pm

*Children must be enrolled in the 5 day, 9am–1pm preschool program. Two day-extended day minimum required.

New Baby On The Way?
If you are expecting a new baby, or already have an infant or toddler, connect with Growing Jewish Families' j.family ambassador program to receive a j.baby bag or j.toddler tote full of free goodies and to meet other Jewish families in your area.

Please click below for more information:

• Communication
• Food
• Napping
• Sick Policy
• Supplies
• Educators and Ratios
• Waiting List

Communication
We believe that parents are part of our team! Effective and ongoing communication between parents and staff is extremely important in providing quality care and wonderful experiences for children. Parents will receive a daily report that includes routine habits such as eating, toileting, and sleeping. Parents will also be able to gain access to their child’s secure classroom website for pictures and additional school information and reminders.

Food

Infants
Infant seats, low tables and chairs are provided when eating. Babies are either held or sit in bouncy chairs when bottle‐fed until they are able to hold their own bottle.

• Milk and other perishable items are refrigerated.
• Non‐perishable foods are stored in child’s lunchbox or cubby.
• Unused food is refrigerated as appropriate and returned to the parents.

Infant Program Parents provide:

• Labeled and dated bottles (sippy cups should be brought in as children begin to use them)
• Breast milk, formula or milk may be brought in daily or weekly and will be stored in the refrigerator or freezer
• Snacks and lunch, when your child begins eating solid food
• All food in labeled and dated containers
• Feeding utensils as needed

Toddlers
Low tables and chairs are provided for meal times. Toddlers are encouraged to practice feeding themselves in order to promote self-help skills and Educators guide and assist as needed. The ECLC provides a morning and afternoon snack, as well as lunch. All food items are kosher and nut free.

Toddler Program Parents provide:

• Sippy cups with milk and/or water (please send with an ice pack)
• Feeding utensils

The ECLC provides:

• Morning and afternoon snacks
• Lunch - vegetarian and meat options available
• Water is offered throughout the day

Napping
A separate nap room adjoins to each infant classroom and children sleep in their own cribs. Toddlers are provided with raised cots and nap in their classrooms after lunch. The J supplies the fitted sheets, which are changed weekly, or more often if necessary. Any special transition objects (e.g., blanket, pacifier) are welcome to be sent to the classroom for comforting purposes. Due to concerns about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), children under 12 months of age will be placed on their back to sleep and no toys or bulky bedding will be in the crib with the child.

Sick Policy
In an effort to keep each child as healthy as possible, the ECLC adheres to a 24‐hour fever‐free, diarrhea‐free and vomit‐free policy. Additional details can be found in the Parent Handbook upon registration.

Supplies
Parents supply diapers, wipes, bottles, and sippy cups. Please send in two packages of wipes at the beginning of each month. Several changes of clothing should be kept in your child’s cubby at all times. Please label all clothing, including outerwear, socks, and shoes. Please send your child wearing clothes in which they are able to move and play!

Educators and Ratios
The JCCNV Infant/Toddler Program follows the Virginia State Licensing Ratios which states that there must be one Educator for every four infants and one Educator for every five toddlers. The classroom Educators remain consistent throughout the day, with staggered shifts. There will be between two and four Educators in your child’s classroom depending on the amount of children in the room at that time. Each of our Educators is a highly qualified professional who is passionate about caring for infants and toddlers.

Waiting List
Upon filling out an application, a $100 non‐refundable deposit is required. Please indicate a specific preferred start date as well as an estimated due date for babies who have not yet been born. Your child will be placed on the wait list based on the order in which your application is received. The ECLC will contact you two months prior to your preferred start date if a space becomes available.

After accepting a space in the program, half of the first month’s tuition must be paid within 48 hours to reserve the space. This payment is applied towards your child’s first month of childcare.

If you are ready to join the Infant/Toddler wait list, click here to download our 2018-2019 ECLC Registration form. If you'd like to schedule a visit, please contact Amit.Hickman@jccnv.org.