🌷 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