Barnyard Bulletin | May 2026

☀️ May at The Little Red Barn ☀️
MAY is a time to refine our routines and strengthen our classroom expectations. Consistency, engagement, and attention to detail should be seen in every classroom, every day. Let’s finish the spring season strong. 🌿

>> 🧼 Center Cleanliness & Shared Spaces

Maintaining a clean, organized environment is essential—not only for the health and safety of our classrooms, but also for the experience our families have each day. Please review the following expectations below:

🚫 Trash & Classroom Areas
Please do not leave trash outside of classrooms. This creates an unpleasant environment for families during pick-up, and we want to ensure our space always feels clean and welcoming.

🚻 Bathroom Cleaning Expectations
The bathroom cleaning schedule is posted in the staff room.

• One staff member is assigned to clean both bathrooms every other week.
• After completing your cleaning, please initial and check off the cleaning checklist located in the staff room.
• Stay consistent—this is a shared responsibility that keeps our center running smoothly.

🧻 Wipe Usage
Please limit wipes to diaper changes only. We are going through a high volume due to wipes being used for cleaning surfaces and children’s faces.

• Use appropriate cleaning materials for surfaces (Wash, rinse, sanitize)
• Use alternative methods (paper towels, tissues etc.) for faces when possible
• Let Dom know when supplies are running low

🍽️ Staff Microwave Use
Please cover your food with a paper towel when microwaving.

• This helps prevent splatter and keeps the microwave clean for everyone (the microwave has been getting very dirty)

Thank you !!✨

>> 🛝 Outdoor Play Expectations

Outdoor time is an extension of our classroom and should be just as intentional, engaging, and well-managed.

📵 Active Supervision
This is not a time to be on phones or sitting back. Outdoor play requires full engagement—interacting with children, supporting play, and ensuring safety at all times.

🛝 Equipment Safety

• The slide and teeter-totter must remain on the rubber tiles at all times for safety
• Do not move this equipment

🎨 Chalk Expectations
Chalk is for the ground only

• Please redirect kiddos if they are drawing on equipment (slide, cars, caterpillar, etc.)

🧠 Safe Play Redirection

• Redirect children if they are biting or pulling on pool noodles
• Continue guiding children toward safe and appropriate play choices

🧹 End-of-Day Playground Reset (Last Classroom Outside)
The last classroom on the playground is responsible for resetting the space:

• Clean up all toys and materials
• Cars and walkers must be parked against the wall
• Spray down all equipment with sanitizer before heading inside

REMINDER: Before posting photos on Playground, please double-check that faces are clean.

>> 📲 REMINDER!!!!!

Sunscreen:
Every application must be logged in Playground | We should be putting sunscreen on kiddos every time they go outside.

Name-to-Face:
ANY time you transition infants:

• Leaving the classroom to go to play area
• Returning from outside

You must log Name-to-Face in Playground!
This is not optional and ensures safety and accurate ratios.

>> 🫧Deep Cleaning

As a reminder, deep cleaning is a Weekly responsibility—not something that only happens at closing. Please be intentional about using downtime throughout the day, especially during nap time, to tackle your classroom cleaning tasks.

>> 🍎 Daily Classroom Expectations

• 📱Playground Photos and Captions: Aim for 2-3 photos per child daily! One of these pictures needs to be curriculum! Add a short learning caption (doesn’t need to be long, just meaningful!)
• 📚 Don’t fall behind on Portfolios: Remember to start completing anecdotal observations and developmental checklists for Spring Conferences!
• 🎨ART: Make sure you are doing an art project once a day! You should be saving art for portfolios and hanging some in your classrooms – this looks great for incoming parents! Product art is ok, process art is HIGHLY encouraged!!!

>> Outdoor Play🌻 : Please prioritize taking kiddos outside!

• Make sure infants are dressed appropriately for weather!
• Piglets | REQUIRED that you go outside AT LEAST once a day, weather permitting
• Cuddly Calves | REQUIRED that you go outside 2-3 times a week | daily if possible – weather permitting