Toddlers are always on the go. They want to head in all directions and experience every sensation the world has to offer. Consistent guidance and supervision from loving families and teachers gives toddlers the confidence to experiment as they grow. Toddlers learn at their own pace by observing and interacting with objects around them. They become more proficient with signing and use their rapidly expanding vocabulary. Our toddler teachers understand that children reach developmental milestones — using the toilet, for example — when they are ready. Toddlers are just beginning to understand what’s expected of them. Pushing, hitting and biting occur more often than adults would like. It’s called “instrumental aggression” and it’s used by toddlers to achieve what they want — to get the toy or move another child out of their way. Our teachers discourage this type of behavior, but always remain positive and emphasize redirection and the importance of making good choices. Our teachers enrich the toddler environment with an ever-changing variety of activities and materials. This keeps frustration to a minimum and helps children take pride in their accomplishments.

At Carpe Diem, we prepare children for their future. We want them to have a “can-do” attitude, be curious about how things work, and develop skills to find solutions to problems. We use an “integrated curriculum” approach to teaching. Our teachers don’t separate areas of learning by subject. Instead, for example, of isolating math, language, or social studies, we develop themes and special projects in content areas like “Rainforest Regions of the World” and “The Circus.” With this approach, children expand their knowledge and skills in many areas related to the topic. Field trips for our Pre-K students — the zoo, library, post office, children’s theater productions — extend their learning in meaningful ways. Special events and visitors, like the Lion Dancers on Chinese New Year — are also important. Parents are also a great resource. Visits by a dad dressed in his pilot’s uniform or a mom who is a veterinarian showing x-rays of a dog’s injured leg are fun and educational. More information about how we plan our curriculum and address all aspects of a child’s development is available on our FAQs page and in our Parent Handbook.

Learning doesn’t stop after school hours. That’s why Carpe Diem offers safe and enriching after-school and holiday care programs — perfect for working parents. Our school-age program is designed for children five through twelve years old who are enrolled in kindergarten through 5th-grade classes at several local elementary schools. (Please call or e-mail us to find out which schools we serve.) These children are picked up by one of our buses at the end of their school day. We also have holiday care on the days public schools are not in attendance, except for the designated days when Carpe Diem is closed. The complete peace of mind our high-quality school-age programming ensures is an essential priority for working parents, who demand and deserve safety and enriching activities for their children during out of school hours. At Carpe Diem, you’ll find a secure, inviting environment that allows school-age children greater independence than preschoolers and offers activities older children enjoy; however, be assured they are guided and supervised at all times in spacious areas both indoors and out. We have a large playground designed especially for this age group. In addition to their classroom, which is well stocked with art and craft supplies, puzzles, board games, many manipulative toys, and items for creative play, school-agers also spend time in our indoor gym, library, and computer lab with its wide choice of software. Our teacher to child ratio is a low 1: 15, with a maximum group size of 20, which would then require two teachers to be present. Our field trip ratio drops to 1:8. Our staff is caring, well qualified, and required to have on-going training in guidance, recreation, and education, including first aid and CPR classes. They know your children very well and will communicate with you on a daily basis. A school-age program should not be a continuation of school activities. Children need time after school to have a nutritious snack, relax, unwind, have fun, and choose what they want to do. Our small groups allow the teachers to give lots of one-on-one attention to each child. This is especially important during each day’s designated homework and quiet study time. Children get the support and tutoring they need for clarification of directions and explanation of concepts in order for them to complete their daily assignments successfully. We provide all-day care on school holidays at no extra charge to your monthly tuition, except for the cost of field trips. Breakfast (served until 8:00 a.m.), lunch, and morning and afternoon snacks are included.

Our teachers emphasize showing consistent warmth and support to infants by making frequent eye contact and talking with them. Teachers sign, sing and read to babies, helping them become familiar with language and ultimately recognizing words and sounds. Teachers pay close attention to cues from babies, holding or moving them to new places or positions, and provide a variety of things for them to do and view. They also provide constant opportunities for babies to reach, kick, grasp, roll, scoot, bounce, pull, sit, crawl and walk. Over time their movements become more coordinated and purposeful. Babies eat and sleep when they are most comfortable. Our teachers pay close attention to their daily rhythms and adjust as changes occur. Parents and teachers share information on a daily basis about infants’ activities and development. Written reports and regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences help build mutual understanding. Parents are welcome to visit their child at any time. Our teachers follow the highest standards for health and safety. This includes proper diapering and hand washing procedures, as well as frequent sanitation of toys and equipment. We do our best to limit the spread of infections. As part of that effort, parents are required to follow our policies regarding the attendance of ill children.