A Glimpse into Our Infant Classrooms

There’s no question that the first year of life is one of the most important. Babies go through so much change during this time, from learning to roll, sit, and crawl to trying new foods and exploring the world around them. Sometimes it feels like they change overnight, and that’s because in many ways, they do! Their little brains grow faster in those first twelve months than at any other time, and we have the power to encourage that growth by providing opportunities for stimulation and interaction.

We are proud that parents at Barrington Schools find those opportunities inside our infant classrooms. Our infant childcare program is designed to nurture children as young as six weeks old, following a curriculum that support sensory stimulation, cognitive awareness, and motor development.

“Our son is in the infant room, and his teachers are truly phenomenal. It’s so clear how much they love the children and how intentional they are about creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment . . . The daily activities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate — we can see how much thought goes into helping the children grow and learn.”  Maya W. 

Activities That Support Early Development

Even though each baby has their own routine for eating, sleeping, and playing, we make sure to include activities throughout the day that support early development. From sensory exploration to movement and early language exposure, these experiences help babies learn about the world around them in ways that are fun, engaging, and age appropriate.

STEAM Learning

Many activities in the infant room focus on early “STEAM” learning (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). While that might sound advanced for babies, it often looks like simple sensory exploration. For example, babies might explore different textures like slime or other soft sensory materials. As they touch, squeeze, and move these materials around, they’re discovering how things feel, move, and change, teaching cause and effect and early observation skills.

Physical Development

Our infant classrooms also prioritize activities that help babies practice movement and build body awareness. For example, teachers might create baby-safe obstacle courses during floor time where they can crawl over pillows, across blankets, or around other soft objects with guidance and support. Or maybe our teachers blow bubbles, encouraging babies to reach, stretch, and move their bodies as they try to grab the floating bubbles. 

“We incorporate a lot of activities that strengthen muscles and improve coordination and balance,” explained Brittani Cherry, Director of Operations at Barrington School. “Anything that helps build the gross motor skills they’ll eventually need to crawl, stand and walk.”

Music

Music is another favorite (and important!) part of our infant program. It naturally engages several of a baby’s senses at once and creates lots of opportunities for movement and exploration. When babies play with instruments like maracas or small drums, they quickly discover that shaking or tapping them makes sound. At the same time, they’re building important motor skills. Grasping a maraca helps develop fine motor control, while tapping or drumming with an open hand helps strengthen larger muscles and coordination.

Songs are also a fun way to support early language development. Many children’s songs include simple, repetitive lyrics, which help babies begin to recognize patterns and cues in language. Even before they can talk, babies are listening closely and starting to pick up on the rhythms and sounds that form the building blocks of future reading and communication skills.

Language and Literacy

Language development is woven into just about everything we do throughout the day. During activities, teachers might describe what babies are seeing, touching, or experiencing, introducing new words along the way. They also make a point to “talk with” babies, not just talk to them. That simply means pausing after saying something to give babies a chance to respond, even if that response is just a small sound or a smile. Over time, these small back-and-forth interactions help babies start to recognize the rhythm of conversation.

Reading time is another big part of building early language and literacy skills, even for the youngest babies. When teachers read while holding them, babies start to notice the sounds of language and focus on the pictures and patterns in the book. 

Simple counting books, songs, and nursery rhymes introduce rhythm, repetition, and early number concepts, while simultaneously building a connection between baby and caregiver.

What Parents Are Saying About Our Infant Program  

“As first-time parents, my husband and I weren't sure how we would feel leaving our son at daycare. Starting from day one, at just 3 months old, we haven’t thought twice about leaving him in Barrington’s care. The teachers and staff are incredible!”

“Our son greets his teachers with a big smile each morning . . . We truly feel our son is loved and looked out for by his teachers and the staff at Barrington. We cannot say enough good things about the school. We love our Barrington School of Dublin family and don’t know what we would do without them!” - Megan C., Barrington Parent

“We have been sending our son to Barrington since he was 3 months old, and we absolutely love it here. We are having our second baby next month, and we are so excited for him to have the same wonderful experience as his big brother. Both the teachers and the management team go out of their way to get to know you and your child. I truly feel like we are all partners in helping our child grow and learn.” Sarah W. 

Learn More About Our Infant Childcare Program

The first year of life is full of growth and discovery. Inside our infant classrooms, our goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment that promotes growth, encouraging babies to explore, interact, and develop at their own pace. If you’d like to learn more about our infant program or get a firsthand look inside our infant classrooms, schedule a tour at one of our locations.

FAQs About Our Infant Classroom: 

When can my infant start at Barrington? Barrington Schools cater to infants as young as six weeks old. We offer two separate classrooms for infants, with the first for babies six weeks old through six months. When they reach six months, they transition into our second infant room where they stay until they are one year.

How many infants are in the classroom?

Barrington School is committed to maintaining lower staff-to-child ratios than what is required by the state of Ohio. This creates an environment that is not only safer but also more engaging and responsive to the unique needs of each child. 

What do I need to pack for my infant for the day?

In each room, we provide all the necessities that babies might need throughout the day, including bibs, sleep sacks, diapers, and wipes. Once they’re old enough to enjoy solid foods, we also provide organic purées made fresh daily by our in-house chefs.

“Getting your child out the door can feel hectic, and including these essentials in your monthly tuition means you have a few less things to stress about in the morning”, shared Brittani Cherry, Director at Barrington Schools. “It’s just one of the ways we ensure a comprehensive childcare experience for parents.” 

All we need parents to bring is whatever formula or milk their child needs for the day. And because accidents happen, any parents will also keep a few extra outfits in their baby’s designated cubbies.

How are your days structured in the infant rooms?

Every baby has their own routines for eating, sleeping, and play. Our caregivers and teachers will take time to familiarize themselves with your child’s preferred routines. One thing that does stay consistent, however, is our commitment to incorporating activities throughout the day that support physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.