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.
- 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
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.
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.
nature, and spending time with her family. Her hours are 10:00-6:00pm.
