Infant (1 & 2)

Our two infant classrooms care for 8 children in each room (16 total children) who are between the ages of 5 – 18 months when the school year begins in September. Infant 1 cares for children who turn 5-12 months old and Infant 2 cares for kids who turn 13-18 months old by September 30th.

Our teachers will work closely with parents to develop a routine that is both familiar and predictable. Our Infant classrooms are designed to support a Primary Caregiving system in which each caregiver is assigned two to three infants. This allows each baby to build a close and trusting relationship with a particular teacher. The baby knows who to go to for diapering, feeding, resting, and comfort. The Primary Teacher communicates daily with the family to support each child’s sense of comfort and development in the classroom.

There are opportunities for the infants to move freely around the room and explore a variety of materials, listen to and play music, engage in story and outdoor play. Infants are encouraged to crawl while older infants are encouraged to walk, developing their gross-motor skills.

We believe that children benefit from the yearlong friendships and care that they receive from consistent primary caregiving in the same classroom for 12 months. All children, even infants, begin the school year together in September and remain together as a cohort through the following August. The placement of children into a specific classroom is completely at the discretion of the School Director and is non-negotiable. Parents can inquire with the school prior to acceptance about potential classroom placement. Since our care is based on a year-long curriculum, children are never moved to a new classroom midyear, even if children age into a new classroom.

Our infant teachers are ready to care for children from 5 months – 24 months. Many families have questions about daily care in our infant rooms, below are additional details.

  • Teachers are caring, kind, and gentle caregivers who love babies. They are trained in infant care and love giving cuddles, snuggles, and hugs to each child. Babies are held and cuddled all day long by our staff in the infant rooms.
  • Primary caregiving is front and center in the infant room. Each teacher is the primary caregiver for 2-3 children, depending on class size. The primary caregiver is the main person responsible for diapering, feeding, and sleeping. Primary caregivers are determined during the phase-in period at the start of the school year. It is reflective of how relationships develop between teachers and children.
  • Each family will be provided with an intake form to complete before the school year begins. The form outlines each child’s personal routine in regards to home life, language, resting, bathrooming, childcare and medical history, patterns and
    habits and any other important information families would like to share about their child.
  • Naps: each child has their own nap schedule. Parents will share with teachers their child’s typical nap schedule during phase-in. Teachers work closely with parents as babies grow older and their nap schedule changes. Teachers are child-centered in approaching every child’s individual schedule. Children have their own cribs for naptimes. If desired, parents can provide a sleep sack for their child. There are rocking chairs and classrooms use white noise and other soothing sounds to encourage sleep. After a baby turns 1 year old, the child will be transitioned to sleeping on a mat. As the school year progresses into the spring, the classroom routine will change from an individual approach to resting to a more group-like setting where children will rest for a single, longer nap within the school day.
  • Daily updates: parents receive updates from teachers through the BrightWheel App which notifies parents about diaper changes, feedings, photos, and offers messaging between parents and teachers.
  • Purple Circle prioritizes outside time for all children. Infants are brought outside to local playgrounds, parks, and sites including the farmer’s markets. Children are either carried in baby carriers, pushed in a stroller, or offered to walk once they are capable.
  • Cleanliness and hygiene are of the utmost importance and teachers follow all Department of Health protocols while going above and beyond to keep children healthy. Toys and classrooms are cleaned daily.
  • Whenever possible, primary caregivers will assist their children with eating all snacks and meals, including bottles. Parents provide all food for infants, including baby foods, formula or breast milk. Young infants will always be held while being fed, particularly during bottle feedings. Children who are more independent, can hold their bodies in an upright position and who are beginning to eat solid foods, will be fed in a highchair. Older Infants and Toddlers will be encouraged to self-feed once they show signs of readiness.
  • Babies are social and love to watch each other and learn about the world around them. Each classroom offers toys and opportunities for play that encourage babies to grow and learn. Toys are a tool for learning and are selected each morning depending on the interests and milestones of the children in the class.
  • The infants follow their own individual biorhythms of sleeping, eating, diapering, and playing. Routines at school may slightly differ from those at home. As the school year progresses and infants begin to mature, teachers will begin to prepare the children for more group-like routines.
  • Children in the infant rooms love when the older children visit! We create opportunities for children of mixed ages to interact throughout the day. Either by walking through the school, joining a teacher on an errand in school, outside at parks and playgrounds, or inviting older children into the infant room to play and assist with art projects.
  • At Purple Circle, all children, even infants, begin the school year together in September. Our care is based on a year-long curriculum so children remain together as a cohort in their classrooms through the following August.

Purple Circle offers families the following Monday through Friday programs, year round, providing four schedule options parents can choose from to meet their unique needs:

  • 8:30am – 1:50pm
  • 8:30am – 4:00pm
  • 8:30am – 6:00pm
  • 2:10pm – 6:00pm

There is also an early morning drop-off option available each day at 8:00am.

MEET THE TEACHERS

Laura Alarcon-Almeida
Laura Alarcon-AlmeidaLead Teacher, Infant 1
Laura is thrilled to begin her first year at Purple Circle as the Lead Teacher in the Infant 1 classroom. Although new to Purple Circle, Laura brings over a decade of experience working with infants and their families. She began her career as a Lead Infant Teacher at Bright Horizons before joining Vivvi Early Learning as a founding faculty member. During her six years at Vivvi, she served as both Lead Infant Teacher and Infant-Toddler Curriculum Lead, helping to shape and guide the program for the youngest learners.
Born in Colombia, Laura finds joy in sharing her culture and incorporating languages and diverse traditions into her teaching and curriculum. She holds a master’s degree in Infant and Family Development and Early Intervention from Bank Street College of Education, where she also completed her thesis on designing a music curriculum for the infant classroom. Music has always been a central part of Laura’s teaching philosophy—she loves introducing instruments, rhythms, and songs as a way to nurture curiosity, connection, and joy in her classroom.

At the heart of Laura’s work is her belief in building strong, meaningful connections with children and their families. She feels deeply inspired by the ways infants communicate, explore, and develop relationships as they discover the world around them. Laura is so excited to become part of the Purple Circle family and to bring her love and passion for infant education into this community. Her hours are 8:15–4:15pm.

Hillary Espinoza
Hillary EspinozaAssistant Teacher, Infant 1
This is Hillary Espinoza’s third year as an Assistant Teacher in the Infant 1 classroom at Purple Circle. Her passion for early childhood education began over 15 years ago in high school, when she worked as a teacher’s aide at the Bank Street Family Center for five years.

During that time, she began her studies at The City College of New York, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. Hillary has also worked as a nanny for many families over the years and has personal experience as a parent to a young child.

Before joining Purple Circle, Hillary was a Lead Teacher in an infant classroom at Buckle My Shoe in Tribeca. She is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of young children and is always eager to continue learning and growing as an educator! Hillary’s hours are 8:30-4:00pm.

Diana Bondareva
Diana BondarevaAssistant Teacher, Infant 1
This is Diana’s first year at Purple Circle, and she is very excited to join as an Assistant Teacher in the Infant 1 classroom. Diana has over five years of experience caring for and teaching children from infants to early teens, including work as a nanny and as a tutor for elementary school subjects and art.

Her background in children’s illustration inspires her to bring creativity into everyday learning through drawing, stories, and playful projects. Although her degree is in Information Technology, Diana discovered her passion for working with children while completing her degree and has followed it ever since.

Diana is inspired by the magic of childhood — the way children see the world with fresh eyes and turn every discovery into a little wonder. She meets each child with empathy and care, supporting their growth with patience, creativity, and respect for their individuality. For her, being with children is not only about teaching, but also about learning together and seeing the world in new ways. Her hours are 10am-6pm.

Anessa Sukhai
Anessa SukhaiAssistant Teacher, Infant 1
Anessa is highly enthusiastic to commence her first year at Purple Circle as an Assistant Teacher in the Infant 1 classroom. She has over five years of knowledge and experience in childcare, working as an Assistant Teacher and nanny for various families across New York City. She is on the verge of completing a BSC in Healthcare Policy and Management at the New York City College Of Technology and intends to advance her skills by pursuing a MS in Early Childhood Education promptly. Anessa greets each day with a smile—creating a welcoming learning environment where infants can develop strong authentic relationships with respect, appreciation and dedicated support. Her hours are 2:00-6:00pm.
Claire Chang
Claire ChangLead Teacher, Infant 2
This will be Claire’s 4th year at Purple Circle but 1st year as a Lead Teacher. She is so excited to see what this year has in store as she welcomes both returning and new families into the IN2 classroom. Claire is passionate about singing and stories and finds that both are a great way to foster connections with children. You will most definitely hear her singing in the classroom throughout the day, from classic nursery rhymes to tunes from the 2000s. Claire is also a big fan of sensory activities such as water, playdough, and kinetic sand. She can’t wait to explore all the fun materials with everyone in IN2! Her hours are 8:30am – 4:00pm.
Evelyn Cruz
Evelyn CruzAssistant Teacher, Infant 2
Evelyn is an Assistant Teacher for our Infant 2 classroom. She has worked at Purple Circle for over 25 years! Previously, Evelyn worked as our Late Day Coordinator in our Little Kids Classroom. Her experience with children and alongside her colleagues has taught, tutored and trained her to be a responsible, fun-loving teacher of young children. Throughout her longevity at Purple Circle, she has dedicated her service to many families, ensuring the well-being of their children and making their first years at school very positive. She welcomes you to Purple Circle and looks forward to working with your children! Her hours are 8:30am –2:30pm.
Naima Davis
Naima DavisAssistant Teacher, Infant 2
Naima has worked in early childhood education with children from six months to five years old. She previously worked at the Bank Street Family Center for over 20 years. During her time at the Family Center she was a paraprofessional for children with special needs. Her experience also includes nannying for a variety of families throughout the years and having two young children of her own. She is passionate for education and enjoys working with young children. Her hours are 8:30am – 4:00pm.
Eva Kasner
Eva KasnerAssistant Teacher, Infant 2
Eva will be joining our team this year as an assistant teacher in the Infants 2 classroom (afternoons). She has been working alongside children since she was a teenager (in a variety of positions including but not limited to: summer camp counselor, synagogue youth leader, and private nanny for a network of Upper West families), and is thrilled at the opportunity to now apply in a classroom setting all which she has learned in her experiences. Her philosophy regarding early childhood education involves creating an environment in which each individual child’s needs and interests are honored & fostered, and mutual pathways of communication and respect between child and teacher are established. She received her education at Hunter College (majoring in Geography and minoring in German), as well as the New York Botanical Garden (pursuing her personal passion of horticulture). She is very much looking forward to getting to know and working with all of the parents & children this year!
Charlotte Bonnet
Charlotte BonnetAssistant Teacher, Infant 2
Charlotte Bonnet is a native New Yorker. She is a bilingual speaker in English and French. She has a BA in French and Francophone Studies from Earlham College and a MS in Studies in Education from Bank Street College School of Education. Charlotte joined Purple Circle in June 2021 and since then has served as a floating assistant teacher and an afternoon teacher in MK2, MK1 and Little Kids classrooms. This year, she is a floating teacher and supports the Infant 2 class Late Day hours. Charlotte enjoys reading stories and interacting with children through collages and sensory activities. Charlotte’s hours are 10:00am-6:00pm.
Jenny Levy
Jenny LevyInfant/Toddler Education Coordinator
Jenny Levy is thrilled to begin her third year at Purple Circle as the Teacher and Education Coordinator for the infant and toddler classrooms. Jenny obtained her MSEd in Early Childhood education from Bank Street College of Education with a focus on infancy, family development and Early Intervention. She previously worked at Bank Street Family Center in their infant and toddler classrooms. Prior to becoming an early childhood educator Jenny was a professional ballet and modern dancer. She feels so fortunate to have been able to pursue her two life passions in dance and early childhood. Jenny views movement as the unspoken language of young children and is continually looking for new ways to incorporate movement and all of the arts into her work with them. Building close relationships with children and their families to support children as they navigate their world and their place in it is at the heart of her work. Her hours are 8:30-4:00pm.

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