Toddlers

Toddlers are exposed to an environment that promotes intellectual and emotional growth through exploration and play. Activities and routines provide endless opportunities for developing children’s imagination, critical thinking processes, and sense of belonging. In our toddler program, each day holds exciting new experiences that support all areas of development in children from 18 months old to 36 months old. Small classes with no more than ten children allow for individual nurturing, so important for this age. One licensed teacher and two qualified childcare workers facilitate children’s interaction with the environment and each other.  

Our youngest learners with ASD are immersed in our age-typical toddler daycare classrooms and receive intense intervention that is systematically embedded within the normal routine and activities. Teachers provide the needed support to ensure children’s success as they grow and learn beside their typically developing peers. Empirically-based strategies are used to target the core deficits of ASD and enhance the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of skills in a variety of settings, including the child’s home. Family-based intervention and facilitated play therapy is provided quarterly and individualized to meet the child’s needs and the family’s goals. Speech and occupational therapists work collaboratively with the classroom teacher. Supplemental home programming is recommended and is provided in collaboration with CCDE Therapies.  

CCDE is a licensed daycare center and complies with all state daycare regulations. For each toddler with a confirmed or suspected delay, there is at least one typically developing toddler in the group.

A sample daily schedule:

• Play
  • Many learning opportunities are embedded throughout playtime, such as pretend play, fine motor, problem solving, social interaction, and language development.
  • Learning activities in literacy, math, science, and social studies are also embedded throughout play time.
• Literacy time
  • Story time and book time promote awareness of books and print.
  • Literacy-based activities are woven throughout the class routine.
• Motor and Movement
  • Motor and movement are addressed in informal settings such as during music, playtime, and outside time.
• Music
  • Music is used for preparing children for transitions, exploring learning concepts, promoting movement and imitation, and encouraging language development.
• Art
  • Art is a medium that encourages exploration, creativity, imagination, and sensory experiences. Learning concepts are creatively embedded in art activities.

Schedule

• Intervention programs for toddlers operate two-hours per day, 4 days per week between September and June. A five week summer program is available.
• Family-Based Intervention is offered on an ongoing basis and is based on the family’s schedule.
• Play Therapy is offered on an ongoing basis and is based on the family’s schedule.

Go to Application Process