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www.FredParent.NET 31 Level 4 Infant Room continued from pg 29 SCHEDULES ARE OUT Another noticeable difference in the room is that the babies are not kept to a strict schedule. "If they are sleepy they can sleep, if they want to play that's fine too," says Ms. Alisa. During our visit, four of the babies are asleep in their cribs, which have clear glass sides for visibility and a sign attached indicating whether the baby can roll over yet. SERVE AND RETURN Perhaps the hardest qualification to meet and measure for a Level 4 center is the quality of interactions between the caregivers and infants. Kindercare has a monthly theme for the caregivers to implement. February is "I have feelings month" and all over the room, the teachers are asking the babies what they are feeling. "Are you happy? What do you look like when you are happy? What does Miss Joyce look like when she's happy? Are you smiling?" "Kindercare calls it serve and return," says Bell. "We constantly monitor how many serve and return interactions are going on in a day because it improves communication skills. Each teacher narrates what the babies are doing as they are doing it." Making the decision to put your baby into child- care can be an emotional moment, says Bell. "I had a mom visit last week who started crying at the thought of leaving her baby with someone else. But seeing the warm atmosphere and knowing we meet high standards can ease the decision. It is pos- sible to reach Virginia Quality standards, especially if the top man- agement provides materials and leadership." For more information on how to select high quality care for your child, or how to become a part of the Virginia Quality program, visit smartbeginningsra.org. Camp Ca Ca Cam am am Ca Ca Ca C m Cam am am Ca C m am am a Ca Ca Ca Ca Cam am am am am a summer C summer summer C summer C summer C summer C summer C summer C summer summer C summer C summer C summer C summer C FredParent's F IR mp F IR F IR A March 17, 2018 Join Us! Spotsylvania Towne Centre Mirror with a pull-up bar so infants can practice pulling up. Kindercare cribs with signs indicating whether an infant can roll over yet.