Infant Program
Our infant rooms in Lake Zurich and Island Lake: individual cribs, soft play spaces and a calm, predictable routine.
Infant Program (6 Weeks – 15 Months)
Our infant rooms in Lake Zurich and Island Lake are calm, warm spaces where babies from 6 weeks to 15 months are held, talked to and cared for on their own schedule. Caregivers get to know each baby’s cues, so feeding, sleep and play follow your baby’s rhythm rather than a classroom clock.
Teachers plan with The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos and record bottles, naps and diaper changes in the Brightwheel app, so you can follow your baby’s day as it happens.
What a day looks like
- Responsive care: feeding and naps on your baby’s own schedule, following your instructions from home.
- Tummy time and movement: floor play, reaching, rolling, crawling and pulling up in a safe, soft space.
- Language from day one: songs, simple books and constant back-and-forth talk with teachers.
- Sensory exploration: textures, mirrors, music and age-safe toys that invite curiosity.
What you can expect from us
- An individual crib, labeled for your baby.
- Teacher-to-child ratios that follow Illinois DCFS licensing standards.
- Daily updates and photos through Brightwheel.
- CCAP accepted at both centers. See our Illinois CCAP guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do you ensure my baby’s individual needs are met?
We follow each infant’s unique feeding, sleeping, and play schedule. Our caregivers observe and respond to cues while documenting daily activities in real-time through the Brightwheel app.
Q2: What is the teacher-to-child ratio in the infant room?
We maintain a low ratio in compliance with DCFS standards—typically 1 : 4 infants—to ensure personalized attention and safety.
Q3: How do you handle feeding and bottles?
We follow parent instructions exactly. Bottles must be labeled, and we store them in accordance with health and safety regulations. Teachers log feeding times and quantities daily.
Q4: What is your nap schedule like?
Infants nap based on their individual rhythms. We provide cribs labeled for each child, and caregivers rock, soothe, or help infants settle down as needed.
Q5: What types of activities do infants participate in?
Our infants engage in tummy time, sensory play, music, mirror exploration, soft books, and social interaction with teachers and peers to stimulate development.
Q6: How do you support developmental milestones?
Teachers use The Creative Curriculum to plan intentional, age-appropriate experiences that promote growth in physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Q7: Do you accept CCAP for infant care?
Yes. Both our Lake Zurich and Island Lake centers accept the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including for infant care. Our Illinois CCAP guide explains who qualifies and how to apply, and our directors are happy to help with the paperwork.
Next steps for your family
See where your baby goes next, visit a center, or read more before you tour.