Our Classes

Moving up to the Preschool and Young Preschool groups (2-year-olds to 5-year-olds) brings some exciting changes, namely the transition to the larger preschool yards and more freedom to visit various locations on the upper Cate School campus. Please see the list below for items you will need on your child’s first day with the preschool groups.

Enrollment Forms

• Up to date vaccination record
• Up to date Identification and Emergency Information Form

Diapers (if applicable)

• If using disposables, please bring in one sleeve (or large package), & label with your child’s full name or initials on it.
• For cloth diapers, please confer with primary caregivers regarding your diapering routine prior to your child’s first day.

Wipes (if applicable)- labeled with your child’s full name or initials

Creams (label each one)

• • Diaper cream, if applicable
  • Sunscreen
  • Non-prescription ointments

Lunch & Snacks

• Provide food for the day based on your child’s needs. Send fully cooked, prepared foods that are ready to serve and eat. In order to encourage autonomy, we recommend bento style containers so that your child can master independent meal skills. Be sure to include ice packs in your child’s lunchbox and/or use a thermos for heated food. You might also consider packing larger portions in their lunches, just in case there are any spills during the school day.

Water bottle (labeled)

• Durable recommendations that usually last all school year:
  • Yeti, CamelBak

Clothing (to be stored at ELC)

• Routinely check your child’s cubby so that they have a constant supply of weather appropriate extra clothing. Label each clothing item.

• 2-3 sets of extra underwear, outfits, jacket or sweater, a sun hat or beanie
• Wet bag for sending home soiled clothing, checked daily

Napping supplies

• We provide the nap mat; please provide a Tot cot blanket for your child, which will be sent home at the end of the week to be washed.

*** Additional Information ***

• Each day, you are required to sign your child in and out, marking times & your signature.
• Make sure to have daily conversations with your child’s teachers so that we have a complete understanding of how your child is doing.
• Your child will have their own storage spaces including a cubby for clothing, their lunch box, and blanket. These areas are cleaned weekly by teachers, but we ask that you are also mindful of contents & amounts to help with replenishment reminders.
• Bring a bag or backpack that is large enough to transport your child’s items- including their cot blanket- home at the end of each week.

Welcome to the toddler group! Children in this class have made the transition from the infant play and sleep spaces to the toddler class embedded alongside the preschool classroom and the adventurous toddler playground. For our continuing families, you will be able to experience continuity of care for your child, as their teacher from the infant group will be joining them in this space. Please see below for some helpful information to help you through this transition.

Enrollment Forms

• Up to date vaccination record
• Up to date Identification and Emergency Information Form

Diapers 

• If using disposables, please bring in one sleeve (or large package), & label with your child’s full name or initials on it.
• For cloth diapers, please confer with primary caregivers regarding your diapering routine prior to your child’s first day.

Wipes – labeled with your child’s full name or initials

Creams (label each one)

• • Diaper cream, if applicable
  • Sunscreen
  • Non-prescription ointments

Lunch & Snacks

• Provide enough food each day for a designated AM and PM snack in addition to lunch. Please send fully cooked, prepared, pre-sliced foods that are ready to serve and eat. If you have a preference for which foods are served for AM snack, please label appropriately. Food containers must be labeled with the date, food name(s), & your child’s name/initials – dry erase markers or masking tape work well. We recommend bento style containers. Be sure to include ice packs in your child’s lunchbox and/or use a thermos for heated food. Consider packing larger portions, just in case there are any spills during the school day.

Water bottle (labeled)

• Durable recommendations that usually last all school year
  • Yeti, CamelBak

Clothing (to be stored at ELC)

• Routinely check your child’s cubby so that they have a constant supply of weather appropriate extra clothing. Label each clothing item.

• 2-3 sets of extra outfits, jacket or sweater, a sun hat or beanie (all hats should have breakaway chin straps)
• Wet bag for sending home soiled clothing

Napping supplies 

• Toddlers make the transition from napping in a crib to napping on a mat in the classroom. We provide the nap mat; please provide a sheet and blanket for your child, both of which will be sent home at the end of the week to be washed.
• Nap begins at the same time for the entire class, therefore we do not put children down with milk (neither cups nor bottles).
• If your child uses a pacifier, bring a small container to store it in.

*** Additional Information ***

• Each day, you are required to sign your child in and out, marking times & your signature.
• Make sure to have daily conversations with your child’s teachers so that we have a complete understanding of how your child is doing.

• Teachers will communicate with you throughout the day via the Learning Genie App. This app features a messaging system, a reminders system, and a record of your child’s daily feedings, diapering, and naps. Please note that we occasionally experience tech issues on our end; if this happens, we will provide a written daily report when you pick up your child.

• Teachers will verbally inform you when your child is running low on supplies such as diapers, wipes, extra clothes, or extra snacks. We will also set up a reminder using the Learning Genie App.
• Your child will have their own storage spaces including a cubby for clothing, their lunch box, blanket, and they will have dry snack storage. These areas are cleaned weekly by teachers, but we ask that you are also mindful of contents & amounts to help with replenishment reminders.

Welcome to Cate Early Learning Center’s infant group! Transitioning into group care can be challenging, and we want to make the first days (and all the days that follow) as smooth as possible for parents and infants. Below, you will find a list of items that you will need to bring on your child’s first day. During your enrollment or visits, we can review the list with you and answer any questions that you may have.

Enrollment Forms

• • Updated Identification and Emergency Information Form
  • Up to date vaccination record

• We must have this before your child’s first day of school.
  They will not be able to attend without it.

Diapers 

• If using disposables, bring in one sleeve (or large package), & label.
• For cloth diapers, confer with primary caregivers regarding your diapering routine prior to your child’s first day.

Wipes – labeled

Creams (label each one)

• • Diaper cream, if applicable
  • Sunscreen
  • Non-prescription ointments

Feeding Supplies 

• Formula
  • For daily feedings, you have the option to provide a can of formula, or premixed bottles. If you chose to bring a can of formula, bring it unopened & labeled, along with enough (labeled) empty bottles and nipples for the day. We have space to store the cans; once opened, formula cans have a shelf life of 30 days. If you choose to bring pre-mixed bottles, all bottles must be labeled and dated.
  • Bring 2-3 days worth of unopened, extra formula to be stored for emergency disaster situations (can be a small can, or single serve sachets).

• Breast Milk
  • You may provide breast milk in bottles or pouches labeled with the date expressed, today’s date, and child’s name/initials. If sending in pouches, also provide enough empty bottles (labeled) for the day.
  • Bring 2-3 days worth of frozen breast milk to be stored for emergency disaster situations, if possible.

• Solid foods
  • Provide enough food for the day based on your infant’s needs. Please send fully cooked, prepared, pre-sliced foods that are ready to serve and eat. Food containers must be labeled with the date, food name(s), & your child’s name/initials; we recommend bento style containers & dry erase markers for this purpose. We are able to warm foods in the microwave; let caregivers know how you prefer foods to be served.
  • Your child will have a small drawer to store unopened packages of food. We adhere to all package instructions & dates. Each package must be labeled with name or initials.

•  Water Bottles (labeled) introduced when infants begin solid foods
  • Durable recommendations that usually last all school year
    • Nuby, Munchkin 360 Cup, Klean Kanteen

 Clothing (to be stored at ELC)

• Routinely check your child’s cubby so that they always have a supply of extra clothing. Label each item of clothing so that we can ensure we use the right clothes.
• 2-3 sets of extra clothes that are weather appropriate, jacket or sweater, a sun hat or beanie (all hats need to have breakaway chin straps)
• Wet bag for sending home soiled clothing

Napping supplies

• We are unable to place anything into the crib with your child, including lovies, blankets, or pacifiers with clips. In addition, due to licensing policies, we are no longer using sleep sacks. You may keep a crew neck (no zippers or buttons) sweater or footie pajamas for the day that we can change them into before nap.
•  2 fitted sheets – “pack n play” size; this brand is our favorite and withstand the daily laundering throughout the school year.
• If your child uses a pacifier, please bring a small container to store it in.

*** Additional Information ***

• Each day, you are required to sign your child in and out, marking times & your signature.
• We encourage daily conversations with your child’s teachers so that we have a complete understanding of how your child is doing.

• Teachers will communicate with you throughout the day via the Learning Genie App. This app features a messaging system, a reminders system, and a record of your child’s daily feedings, diapering, and naps. Please note that we occasionally experience tech issues on our end; if this happens, we will provide a written daily report when you pick up your child.

• Teachers will verbally inform you when your child is running low on supplies such as diapers, wipes, extra clothes, or extra snacks. We will also set up a reminder using the Learning Genie App.
• Your child will have their own storage spaces including a cubby for clothing, fridge space for food and/or milk, and dry snack storage. These areas are cleaned weekly by teachers, but we ask that you are also mindful of contents & amounts to help with replenishment reminders.
• Infants 3-8 months at the time of enrollment must be enrolled for a minimum of 4 full days per week
• Infants 8-12 months at the time of enrollment must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 full days per week