Appletree’s Infant Program
At Appletree Preschool, our Infant Program is built around one simple truth: babies thrive when they feel safe, loved, and understood.
Soothing environment
Consistent caregivers
Daily communication
Appletree’s Infant Program
Our infant classrooms cater to children from 6 weeks to 18 months, providing a calm and nurturing environment where routines are tailored to each child’s individual needs, cues, and developmental stage. We follow each infant’s natural schedule for feeding, sleeping, and play – never forcing a one-size-fits-all routine.
Our trained caregivers focus on building strong, trusting relationships with each baby, providing consistent comfort, affection, and reassurance throughout the day. Through gentle interaction, sensory exploration, and purposeful play, infants are supported as they grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
What Makes Our Infant
Program Special
A calm, nurturing environment where babies receive personalized care, consistent support, and gentle early learning.
Individualized care that adapts to your baby’s schedule
Consistent caregivers who truly know your child
Daily communication with families about feeding, naps, and milestones
Safe, clean, and secure classrooms that meet all NJ state requirements
Low-stimulation, soothing environment designed for early development
Our Infant Curriculum
Appletree’s Infant Program follows a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum designed specifically for children from 6 weeks through 18 months.
Our infant curriculum focuses on the foundations of learning through responsive caregiving, sensory exploration, movement, music, and early communication. Rather than formal instruction, learning is woven naturally into daily routines and meaningful interactions, allowing infants to explore the world at their own pace while building essential early skills.
Our curriculum supports development across four key areas:
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Exposure to language through songs, books, and caregiver conversation
Early awareness of numbers, patterns, and cause-and-effect
Exploration of objects to understand size, shape, texture, and sound
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Exposure to language through songs, books, and caregiver conversation
Early awareness of numbers, patterns, and cause-and-effect
Exploration of objects to understand size, shape, texture, and sound
-
Exposure to language through songs, books, and caregiver conversation
Early awareness of numbers, patterns, and cause-and-effect
Exploration of objects to understand size, shape, texture, and sound
-
Exposure to language through songs, books, and caregiver conversation
Early awareness of numbers, patterns, and cause-and-effect
Exploration of objects to understand size, shape, texture, and sound
Learning Through Everyday Moments: Our Daily Infant Curriculum in Action
While care and comfort are our top priorities, learning happens naturally throughout the day through music, movement, and exploration. Our caregivers intentionally support development by:
Singing alphabet, number, and nursery songs
Providing daily tummy time and supported sitting
Encouraging crawling, standing, and early walking
Dancing and moving to music
Offering age-appropriate sensory activities
Introducing a variety of textures, sounds, and objects
Supporting early communication through sounds, gestures, and imitation
Infant Developmental Focus
The milestones below highlight key developmental areas we support in our Infant classrooms. Children develop at their own pace, and our role is to encourage growth while honoring individuality.
- Lifts and turns head
- Responds to sounds and voices
- Grasps fingers or objects
- Makes cooing and gurgling sounds
- Begins recognizing familiar faces
- Develops stronger body and facial movements
- Rolls over in both directions
- Pushes up during tummy time
- Sits with support
- Brings objects to mouth
- Responds to name
- Begins eating solid foods (as appropriate)
- Sits independently
- Crawls or scoots
- Picks up small objects
- Imitates sounds and movements
- Shows preference for familiar toys
- Explores cause-and-effect through play
- Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
- May stand independently
- Uses simple gestures (waving, shaking head)
- Babbles and attempts first words
- Follows simple directions
- Engages in interactive play
- Walks independently
- Shows affection toward familiar caregivers
- Uses simple words and gestures
- Begins pretend play
- Drinks from a cup and eats with a spoon
- Demonstrates increasing independence
A Safe First School Experience
We understand that choosing infant care is deeply personal. Our goal is to provide families with peace of mind, knowing their child is loved, protected, and supported every single day.