first circle learning centers | parents handbook | supplies

supplies

WHAT TO BRING

Each classroom shares specific information with families about what to bring, but in general, these guidelines can be followed for each age group. All items, including clothing, must be labeled with your child’s name.

For safety, please do not send in glass containers.

INFANTS

  • Formula and bottles, cups for the day
  • Refrigerated food for the day
  • Non-perishables, including bottles and canned formula, which can be kept in the classroom cabinet
  • Extra breastmilk, labeled and dated, can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months
  • Two fitted crib sheets
  • Sleep sack (under 12 months) or blanket (over 12 months)
  • Pacifier if desired
  • At least 2 spare outfits, onesies, and socks
  • Weather-appropriate outerwear
  • Diapers, wipes, and any necessary ointments (require a Topical Authorization form)

TODDLERS

  • Lunch, two snacks, and two beverage cups packed in a small cooler with ice packs
  • Diapers and wipes
  • Naptime buddy if desired
  • Bedding for sleep mat (sheet, blanket, small pillow, etc.)
  • Weather-appropriate outerwear
  • Two or more spare outfits, including socks (more if toilet learning)

PRESCHOOL + PRE-K

  • One lunch and two beverage cups packed in a small cooler with ice packs
  • Two snacks (in Needham)
  • Diapers and wipes
  • Naptime buddy (if needed)
  • Bedding for sleep mat (sheet, blanket, small pillow, etc.)
  • Weather appropriate outerwear
  • Two or more spare outfits, including socks (more if toilet learning)

FOOD + SNACKS

Parents are responsible for bringing in all meals and drinks for infants and toddlers. Preschoolers will need to bring a meal and drink. In all preschool classrooms (except our Needham location), First Circle provides morning and afternoon snacks, as well as water to drink.

We try to offer a variety of snacks that are low in sugar and fat. We keep a limited supply of meals and snacks on hand for children whose parents may have forgotten to send meals and/or snacks from home and we will offer a substitute to a child who misses a meal or snack due to deviations from their regular schedule (such as arriving late or leaving early). We also supply paper plates and bowls, cups, utensils, and bibs, but you are welcome to supply your own.

WHEN DO WE EAT?

Meals and snacks are always scheduled appropriately for the developmental stage of the children. During meals and snacks, educators are always present, assisting and interacting with children. They allow children to eat at a reasonable, leisurely rate; encourage children to serve themselves when appropriate; ensure that each child receives an adequate amount and variety of food; help children with disabilities to participate in meal and snack times with their peers; encourage children to eat a well-balanced diet; involve the children in food choices and/or planning whenever possible; and offer alternative activities for children who have finished their snack or meal.

  • Educators eat meals with the children, and in the older preschool classrooms, involve children in serving snack. Water is offered to children at frequent intervals and upon request by children.
  • Most importantly, children at First Circle are never pressured to eat or drink or to stop eating or drinking, unless it is for health and/or safety reasons.

DAILY REPORTS (INFANTS + TODDLERS)

We respect that each family will have their own preferences and practices for food and feeding, and that it can also have significant meaning to your cultural beliefs and practices. In the Infant and Toddler programs, you will provide information electronically about the food and drink you have provided for that particular day. We will also ask you to note any food preference or intolerance, any change in patterns or schedules at home, and any other information that can help us best support your child. We will record in your child’s electronic daily notes what was offered, and any notes back to you about preference and intolerance, observations related to developmental changes in feeding and nutrition. For infants, we will also note the specific times of each feeding and how much was eaten.

INFANTS

Feeding times are an opportunity to completely focus on your infant and have quality one-on-one interaction. We hold your child to drink their bottle, and when they are ready to hold their own bottle, we support their learning to feed independently. Infants who are eating solid food eat in a high chair, with an educator sitting with them either to help feed, or support their feeding themselves. During meals, we make lots of eye contact, smile, speak softly, and narrate what is happening, tell a story, or sing a song.

TODDLERS + PRESCHOOLERS

In the toddler and preschool programs, children eat snacks and meals together, according to a group schedule. However, if they are hungry and a snack or meal time is not scheduled soon, we will offer them a choice from the foods you have provided to meet their individual needs.

Please pack as much food needed for your child’s schedule. All food for the day must fit into your child’s lunchbox. We do not have additional refrigerators or food storage ability during the day or overnight. All food and drink must be taken home daily.

FOOD SAFETY

All staff at First Circle are trained in food health and safety, so that we can prepare and serve meals in a safe and sanitary manner. We require that parents follow these same guidelines.

  • NEW FOODS For infants and toddlers, the introduction of new foods must be done at home before sending them into First Circle.
  • TEMPERATURE For all food requiring refrigeration for toddlers and preschool, you must include an ice pack in an insulated cooler. For infants, we have a refrigerator in each classroom. Food is stored between 32-40 degrees, as verified by a refrigerator thermometer, and logged monthly.
  • PREPARATION The classrooms are not equipped with microwaves. If sending food for your child to be eaten warm, please send it in a thermos in your child’s lunch box. Please do not send food in a form that requires preparation or a can opener.
  • ALLERGIES Please indicate on the Enrollment Form at the time of enrollment or as soon as is diagnosed by your child’s health care provider. If your child has food allergies or a special diet, you will need to complete an Allergy Action Plan and/or provide documentation of your child’s special dietary needs [see Health and Safety].
  • NUT-FREE We are a nut-free program, and all the snacks we serve are nut-free. Please do not send any nut products to school (check food labels and packaging). This includes nuts in muffins or bread and of course, peanut butter (however, soy nut butter is fine!).
  • CHOKING HAZARDS Over 10,000 children each year end up in the emergency room because of food-choking injuries. A small child’s windpipe is about the size of a drinking straw, and many types of food that are perfectly safe for older children or adults can pose a choking hazard for small children. In accordance with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, First Circle requires that your child’s food be sent to school in the following manner:
    • For infants, toddlers, and younger preschoolers, cut foods into bite-size pieces, even if your child is able to eat larger pieces [see Choking Hazards]. Food should be easy for children to manage, to allow children to feed themselves.
    • Food should be cut into pieces no larger than ¼-inch square for infants (pea-sized) and ½-inch square for toddlers and young preschoolers.
    • Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be diced, shredded, or cooked and cut up.
    • Fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls should be quartered, and apples and harder fruits cut into pieces as stipulated above.
    • Meats and cheeses (especially hot dogs) should be cut into very small pieces or shredded.
  • STORAGE + SANITATION All food must be brought in containers labeled with your child’s name, and any food that has not been served to your child must be taken home at night. Check expiration dates—we cannot serve food to a child beyond the recommended dates of use. As required by EEC, educators must dispose of or return milk, formula, or food unfinished by a child, as directed by the parent. All First Circle food is stored in clean, covered containers or sealed storage bags. All bottles, eating and drinking utensils, dishes, and preparation utensils are appropriate to the ages and needs of the children, including children with disabilities, and are checked to ensure they are free from defects. Disposable cups and plates are used for serving snacks in the preschool program. For infants, all implements are washed and sanitized after each use.

INFANT FOOD + BOTTLES

We have the following requirements and guidelines for infant food and bottles:

  • Pre-made formula and/or breast milk must be brought each day in plastic bottles (not glass) with all parts of the bottle labeled with the infant’s first name and initial of last name. Breast milk must be labeled “breast milk” so that it is stored and handled appropriately.
  • We warm infant bottles in licensing-approved bottle warmers, never in a microwave or crockpot.
  • Infants’ meals and bottles are refrigerated, and we have storage available for frozen breast milk and dry, nonperishable food and formula.
  • We cannot keep food or bottles overnight, so please take everything home at pick-up.
  • Nursing mothers are welcome to come and nurse their infants at anytime.
  • Because babies occasionally need more food than their parents have provided for that particular day, please provide us with extra breast milk or formula to be stored in our freezer for these instances (breast milk can be stored up to three months).

WHAT TO EAT

We know it’s a challenge to find healthy snack and lunch options. All staff at First Circle are trained in USDA-recognized nutrition requirements for the healthy growth and development of children. Based on the USDA recommendations and our own experience, we have the following healthy food suggestions:

HEALTHY FOOD SUGGESTIONS

  • Provide different foods at mealtimes, varying the choices day to day. Send in several options with your child to school.
  • Provide those choices in small portions – this way, if your child refuses something, they have other options.
  • Be creative with various tastes, textures and flavors of foods.
  • If your child refuses a food item, don’t give up—wait a few days and try it again. Research suggests that children may have to try a food up to 15 times before deciding if they like it or not!
  • If you like to send in leftovers, try waiting a day or two in between. Sometimes, even presenting the food in a different way can help.
  • Try to keep lunches and snacks nutritious. Save sugary and chocolate, cookies, candies and drinks for home (or not at all!)
  • Make sure to pack enough food for the whole day.

BREAKFAST

  • pancakes
  • waffles
  • french toast
  • muffins
  • dry cereals
  • bagels
  • bread (quick breads, like banana or pumpkin bread, or sandwich types)
  • granola bars (check labels for sugar content)
  • eggs (scrambled, hard-boiled, omelets, quiche)

PASTA

  • ravioli
  • tortellini
  • lasagna
  • macaroni and cheese
  • spaghetti
  • egg noodles

SANDWICHES

  • grilled cheese
  • fruit spread
  • cream cheese
  • cold cuts
  • tortilla wraps
  • soy nut or safflower butter

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

  • Try sending in some yogurt, hummus, dressing, sauce, or cottage cheese for kids to dip their fruit and veggies in
  • Vary the sizes and shapes of whatever you offer (diced cucumbers, small spears of carrot, wedges of strawberries, small sections of corn on the cob, small “trees” of broccoli, etc.)
  • Try no-sugar-added canned fruits, fruit cups, jello with fruit, or applesauce

OTHER IDEAS

  • rice cakes
  • pirate booty
  • veggie sticks or chips
  • pizza
  • meatballs
  • deli meats
  • hamburgers
  • falafel
  • chicken
  • fish
  • tofu
  • veggie burgers or nuggets
  • spring rolls
  • cheese pieces or sticks (make sure they’re cut into small pieces as previously stipulated)

CLOTHING

Please send your child to school dressed in comfortable clothing and shoes geared towards active play. We want children to be comfortable enough to play freely in their classroom and outside without being overly concerned about getting their clothes dirty or messy.

For safety reasons, we don’t allow clothing with strings, laces, or jewelry that could become entangled or wedged in playground equipment and present a strangulation hazard. If they are worn, necklaces will be removed or the child will be asked to change their clothes.

WHEN DRESSING YOUR CHILD FOR THE DAY AHEAD, PLEASE THINK OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Dress children in seasonally appropriate clothing; classrooms provide specific lists (e.g., boots in winter, sun hats in summer).
  • Rubber-soled shoes or sneakers are best; dress shoes and backless footwear are unsafe.
  • Keep diaper-changing simple—avoid complicated fastenings.
  • For toilet-learning, choose easy-to-remove clothing like pull-ons.
  • Avoid fancy hair accessories and indoor hats; they can be lost, hazardous, or uncomfortable.
  • EEC regulations require at least one extra set of seasonal clothing in cubbies (two for younger children or those toilet-learning).

BEDDING

Parents are required to provide all bedding for their child’s nap or rest time, and to take home all bedding at the end of their scheduled week to be laundered. Please bring the following supplies labeled with your child’s name or initials:

INFANTS

  • ONE SLEEP SACK (if desired), and two standard-sized fitted crib sheets (with elastic)
  • ONE BLANKET (able to be tucked in at the sides and bottom of the crib) if over 12 months of age
  • TWO PACIFIERS (if desired)

TODDLERS/PRESCHOOLERS

  • SLEEPING BAG or standard crib sheet and blanket
  • SMALL PILLOW
  • STUFFED ANIMAL, DOLL, OR SLEEPING SUPPORT (to be kept in cubby until nap time)

BIRTHDAYS

We are happy to help celebrate your child’s birthday. If you would like to bring a simple snack for your child’s birthday celebration, please let the teacher know the day before. We usually celebrate birthdays at afternoon snack or lunchtime, and you are of course welcome to join us. However, you should coordinate your plans with the teachers to ensure minimal interruption to the school day. Because children can easily get over-excited, we try to keep the celebrations low-key and simple. For this reason, we ask that you not bring in candy, balloons, party favors, decorations, hats, or outside entertainment. If you are planning to bring in (or send with your child) a snack to share with the class, please double-check with the teachers so they can apprise you of any food allergies in the class.

parents handbook | supplies