☀️ 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

🌸 April at The Little Red Barn 🌸

Thank you for your continued effort and care each of you bring into the classrooms every day. As we move into April, our focus is on intentional engagement and classroom consistency!

Let’s continue to show up with purpose and energy for our babies!!

>>🏷️ Labeling, Labeling, Labeling

As teachers, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything in the classroom is properly labeled at all times. This includes bottles, food containers, personal items, crib name tags, classroom bins, and Water bottles. Please take a moment throughout the day to double-check all items are clearly labeled and up to licensing standards.

>> 🖌️Storage Room Materials

Please make sure that any materials taken from the storage room are returned at the end of each day. I’ve noticed items being left in classrooms, which causes things to get lost. All classrooms need to have access to what they need!

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

>> 📲 REMINDER: Playground Expectations

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.

• Sweeping and Mopping Crib Area
• Cleaning underneath shelving, THE FRIDGE, and hard to reach spaces
• Using hot, soapy water bucket and a sponge to clean high chairs, tables, chairs

All cleaning checklists should be actively followed and marked off each day/week to ensure nothing is missed. A clean classroom reflects the level of care and pride we take in our work✨

>> 🍎 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

🌷 March at The Little Red Barn 🌷

As we step into a new month, we’re so excited for all that March has in store! With spring just around the corner, we will continue to see intentional daily routines, hands-on learning experiences, and fostering meaningful teacher-parent-child interactions.

>>🧼 Handwashing Reminders 🤚🏼

• Teachers: Please make sure to wash your hands immediately upon entering a classroom!
• Please remind families to wash their child’s hands at drop-off — this is especially important with stomach bugs going around.
• Both Classrooms: Kiddos must get hands washed after coming in from outside!

>> 🫧 Clean Faces & Clothing Before Pick-Up

Before sending kids home, please make sure you are:

• Cleaning faces and noses! We want to send kids home looking clean.
• Change clothing if messy from lunch or snack.

We want families to feel confident that we care about their child’s appearance and well-being.

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

>> 📲 NEW Playground Expectations

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.

>> 💤Nap Time = Productivity Time

Nap time is not for personal phone use! I’ve observed way too much phone usage recently.

Here are appropriate nap-time tasks:

• Sanitize tables, chairs, high chairs, bumbos
• Wipe cubbies, shelves, gates, mirrors, windows
• Work on portfolios
• Inventory + restock diapers, wipes, gloves
• Prep activities

Please use this time intentionally!

>> 🍽 Dishes & Toys

• Please put dishes and toys outside classroom doors no later than 3:30 PM.

• Please dump any remaining food left on dishes, bibs, and utensils into trash before sending to wash.

✔️ Closing MUST

Closing checklists must be approved by admin every night before each classroom mops!

Please make sure to use your cleaning checklists everyday. They should be actively marked as tasks are being completed!

Tasks include:

• Floors swept and mopped
• Shelves and centers are left organized
• Trash removed + new liner placed | Diaper genie included
• Fridge sanitized (inside & outside)
• Bottle warmers wiped out (Dried)
• Materials restocked for next day
• PT sheets and diapers switched

Closing sets the tone for the next day! Please don’t rush through it.

>> 🍎 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