Infant & Toddler Daycare
Our Infant & Toddler Daycare Program is for children under 2 years of age (6 weeks up to 2 years old).
In the earliest stages in development, investing in your child can make a huge difference. At Radiant Faith Academy, enrolling your little one in our childcare program can lead to a whole new world of possibilities. Radiant Faith is here to make sure that you and your child are taken care of, with your child’s development and safety as the top priority.
Not being with your child can be hard, but it can help to know that your baby is in the care of mature, dedicated, and patient childcare providers.
We have a variety of safety measures and best infant practices to ensure your child is safe and developmentally on track. This includes many measures specific to infants, such as our infant-focused curriculum, feeding policies, and safe sleep practices. We have a plan so that you can go through your day worry-free.
Curriculum
We combine the Creative Curriculum and the Early Learning Assessment Profile (E-LAP) for our Infants/Toddlers Childcare Program for a holistic approach that aligns with early childhood education best practices. When used together, they cover all aspects of a child's development, which allows us to plan daily activities for each child.
All activities are tailored to each age group and skill level. The Infant Program works on:
- Gross motor skills through opportunities for “tummy time,” to sit, crawl, etc.
- Developing language through music and reading
- Exploration through dramatic play
- Creativity through art
The teachers follow an age-appropriate and child-specific program. Meeting the needs of individual children is the first priority of the teachers, so lesson plans are created for each child and goals are set each month.
We choose to focus on children as individuals in order to ensure that every child is succeeding. This way, your child moves forward at the speed that’s best for them. Each room follows a predictable schedule, but babies and toddlers are fed, changed and put down for their naps following their own individual routines.
Environment & Assessments
We strongly believe in a family grouping. By having infants and toddlers together, it provides a setting with the consistency that young children need along with the ability to build a sense of trust and security with their caregivers and peers.
Observations, assessments, and screenings are an integral component of our program. Each child has a teacher assigned to them as a primary caregiver. The primary caregiver is responsible for planning and implementing daily activities based on our curriculum guidelines, as well as:
- Writing out daily charts
- Recording developmental progress
- Conducting parent meetings and conferences.
The Creative Curriculum we use for toddlers and infants offers us specific ways to screen and assess our children. It is a way for us to periodically collect information about your child so that we can understand and plan appropriately and successfully! All information will be shared with you.
For more information regarding our feeding schedules and how we support breastfed babies and breastfeeding mothers, Infant Safe Sleep Policy and Practices, and more, refer to our Parent Handbook.
2 Year Olds Daycare
Toddlerhood is an exciting time! Your little one's character starts to take shape as they blossom into their own person. A focus is placed on encouraging independence, exploration of the environment, and social-emotional development during this crucial stage.
The teachers foster a nurturing environment by encouraging independence and building on each child's self-esteem. The program focuses on children as individuals while incorporating the lesson plans and personal goals in the child’s portfolio.
Curriculum
We combine the Creative Curriculum and the Early Learning Assessment Profile (E-LAP) for our 2-Year-Old Program for a holistic approach that aligns with early childhood education best practices. When used together, they cover all aspects of a child's development, which allows us to plan daily activities for each child.
Lesson plans are additionally tailored to the interests and abilities of the children. The 2-Year-Old Program works on:
- Language development
- Creative art
- Gross and fine motor development
- Self- help and autonomy skills
Potty training is also a major step taken during this program! The teachers will work with you and your child to assess the readiness of your child. As parents, you are included in each step so that progress is made efficiently and consistently.
The teachers follow an age-appropriate and child-specific program. Meeting the needs of individual children is the first priority of the teachers, so lesson plans are created for each child and goals are set each month.
We chose to focus on children as individuals in order to ensure that every child is succeeding. The classroom follows a predictable schedule that is posted in the room to help the children find a suitable routine. Individual and group activities are planned for each day, and mealtimes are planned with naps, learning, and play in mind.
We also have a number of food safety policies and safe play practices, outlined in our Parent Handbook.
Environment & Assessments
This program consists of two classrooms with a teacher-to-child ratio of 1:6. The smaller ratios allow the teachers more opportunities to focus on each child. Teachers supervise the children by sight and sound at all times.
We offer many tools for you to see your child’s progress within our programs. The Creative Curriculum we use for our 2-Year-Old Program offers us specific ways to screen and assess our children. It is a way for us to periodically collect information about your child so that we can understand their needs and plan appropriately and successfully! All information will be shared with you. Observations, assessments, and screenings are an integral component of our program
All families are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom! Being involved in your child’s education is a valuable investment. We value the diversity of our families and welcome any ideas that you can give us to support your child with your family and cultural traditions.
Preschool
Our Preschool Program is for children aged 3 to 5 years old.
Prepare your child for future success in school with the Maryland Heights or St. Louis City Radiant Faith Academy preschool program! Our emphasis is on social and emotional development. We want each child to feel comfortable and secure in their classroom, making them more informed in order to explore new skills and abilities. We want each child to practice and learn appropriate social skills, and to develop the ability to self-regulate. Getting along with others, expressing empathy, and resolving conflicts are necessary skills for success in Kindergarten and beyond.
Activities and assessment are based on 4 domains of development:
- Socio-emotional
- Physical
- Cognitive
- Language
Curriculum
We combine the Creative Curriculum for Preschool and the Learning Assessment Profile 3 (LAP-3) for our Preschool Program for a holistic approach that aligns with early childhood education best practices.
When used together, they cover all aspects of a child's development, which provides the framework and guidance needed to implement a developmentally appropriate plan for each child’s daily activities.
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool supports active learning through "hands-on, minds-on" experiences with a strong emphasis on language acquisition. Age-appropriate materials and activities help each child grow their language, cognitive, and motor skills.
Teachers meet with children in a small group setting to give teachers the chance to support, observe and report each child's growth. All teachers receive relevant training throughout the year to implement lesson plans that help your child grow. Our teachers plan goals for the children that are aligned with developmentally appropriate practices and Missouri Pre-K standards.
Environment & Assessment
The Preschool program has two mixed-age classrooms. Children range in age from 3 to 5 years old. Each classroom has 2 full-time caregivers; a 1:10 adult-to-child ratio will always be maintained, but the ratio is typically 1:7 or 1:8. Each team of teachers works to create a sense of community, and to guide and support developing skills.
We offer many tools for you to see your child’s progress within our programs. The Creative Curriculum also offers us specific ways to screen and assess our children. Information gathered from these assessments are integrated into daily practice and learning experiences for the children.
Observations, anecdotal notes, photographs and samples of the child's work will help the teacher understand and monitor the child's progress in the language, motor, concepts, and social skills throughout the year and makeup each child’s individual portfolio. Bi-annual conferences will be scheduled with parents to discuss each child's experience.
In the spring, our teachers will administer the LAP-3 assessment that is a national, standardized assessment, to our pre-kindergarteners who will leave for kindergarten in the fall. These also act as a way for us to periodically collect information about your child so that we can understand and plan appropriately and successfully! All information will be shared with you.
Before / After School Childcare
Our Before/After school program is for school-aged children in kindergarten through 12 years of age.
Radiant Faith Academy in Maryland Heights and St. Louis city is dedicated to supporting you and your child! That’s why we offer before and after school care.
Going to school is a big step for your little one, and we understand that sometimes your availability and work schedule don’t always line up with your child’s school schedule. We also understand that children learn differently and at different rates. Some children can really benefit from additional schooling to help them stay on track with their peers in the classroom. We’re here to help!
Our teachers plan goals for the children that are aligned with developmentally appropriate practices and educational standards in Missouri.
Not only do we offer you the flexibility you need for childcare, but we also make sure that your child gets to school safely and on time. Our program encourages learning and development in addition to what your child’s school has to offer.
We understand that each child is different, which is why we tailor the support we offer to give your child the best chance for success. Our teachers work to help children with homework, questions they may have from school, develop their self-image in a positive and safe space, and continue their social-emotional development.
Our programs ensure a focus on all aspects children may need to successfully find their place at school, home, and at Radiant Faith Academy.
Thank you for loving & caring for our babies these past six years. We hope to meet again soon and hear all about your new grandson! Thank you for everything and all that you do!
-Josh, Parent
Enroll Today.
Enrollment for our early education & childcare programs is open year-round!
Radiant Faith Academy in Maryland Heights and on West Florissant Ave. in St. Louis welcomes all families and children to join our programs. We value the differences that each family and child brings.
Enroll today and discover a program that supports your child’s development!
