Our general age range is 6 weeks to 14 months. We have a wide range of development in our room. Mostly, we are learning who we are, what’s ours, and how to use our bodies to manipulate objects. We are also becoming more and more aware of the people around us. Our teachers responsibilities include, but are not limited to: meeting our basic needs: feeding us, changing our diapers and helping us fall asleep. Our teachers also read to us, sing to us, challenge our developmental skills with activities, talk to us, observe and record our daily activities, etc. Our parents/guardians are expected to call our teachers to let them know if we will be absent for any reason. Our parents/guardians also supply our diapers, wipes, ointment, crib sheet and blanket, bottles, at least two sets of extra clothes, a pacifier if we use one, as well as all weather-appropriate outdoor gear, including hats, gloves, snow pants and boots in the winter. Animal Crackers has a deep freezer to store breast milk in, as well as a refrigerator in our classroom for thawed breast milk. Animal Crackers also provides formula, infant cereal, jar food, table food, and whole milk, as well as biter biscuits, cherrios and snacks. Please feel free to call 277-9990 to schedule a tour of our classroom.

Schedule for the Infant Room

Due to our education and training in Early Childhood Development and High Scope Curriculum, there is no set schedule for all children enrolled in the infant classroom. Each child is on their own individual schedule.
We do, however, check diapers every 2 hours and offer food every 3 hours or as needed.
We take children outside everyday that the weather permits. Naps are also on each child’s individual schedule.

Thank You,
Infant Room Teachers

Biography's:

Name: Shelly

1. Born/Raised: Cross Plains / Middleton, WI

2. Family: Father, Mother, two brothers, and two nephews

3. Hobbies: I love to go hiking and biking.

4. Education: I have attended UW Whitewater for two years, studying special education. I also have my assistant and lead teacher certificates from MATC.

5. Experience: Six years in child care settings.

6. Years in the field: 6

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 1-19-01

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education?
Because I love children and I like to see them learn and grow.

9. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “I’ll Love You Forever” because it portrays the undying love a mother has for her child no matter how old he gets.

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Name: Ramona

1. Born/Raised: Lodi, WI

2. Family: Mom: Barb, Dad: Parnell, Sister: Morgan, Brother-In-Law: Eric,
Nephew: Sebastian & Niece: Natasha

3. Hobbies: I enjoy listening to music, watching movies, camping and
relaxing on the beach.

4. Education: Child Care Assistant Teacher, Child Care teacher, Infant Toddler Certificate, and many othec certificates from MATC

5. Experience: Since gaining my education, I have worked in a variety of Child Care Centers in the Madison area.  Most of my career has been spent with Infants and Toddlers, But I have worked with all ages.

6. Years in the field: Six years

7. Start date at Animal Crackers Inc.: I was hired on 6-18-07

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? I enjoyed babysitting when I was 12 and decided to take a more professional role in the care of children.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? I enjoy seeing the infants reach different developmental milestones, and seeing the joy on their face when they accomplish each one.  I also enjoy seeing toddlers get excited when they figure something out that they have been working on for a long time.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? Just hanging out with my sister and our friends  I  loved going on camping trips to various states with my sister, counsins and Grandparents.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? "Guess how much I love you" Because it is a great story about a mothers love for her child, and in turn, the childs love for her mother.  It’s put in a context that is easy for even the youngest children to understand and relate to.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn't otherwise guess? If I had not said anything earlier in this profile, I would say you wouldn’t guess that Morgan is my sister!

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Name: Morgan

1. Born/Raised: I was born and raised in Lodi, WI.

2. Family: Mom (Barbara), Dad (Parnell), Sister (Ramona), Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Bob as well as my husband Eric, my son Sebastian, and my daughter Natasha.

3. Hobbies: I love camping; my entire family (listed above) go on many camping trips throughout the summer, and plan to extend our camping season as much as possible. I also enjoy painting, doing projects, and playing with my kids.

4. Education: I have my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from MATC.

5. Experience: I have been babysitting since I was 12 years old. I also began in the childcare field in two local centers in my hometown, as well as my practicums during school at New Morning Nursery School, Bernie’s Place, Red Caboose and Meriter Children’s Center.

6. Years in the field: Since 1998

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I began working at Animal Crackers as a two year old teacher November 4th, 2002.

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? Children are the future. I love to watch them learn and grow and be a part of the influence of the future.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? The toddlers are learning words so rapidly; it’s wonderful watching them go from pointing and gesturing to asking and telling! It is amazing to see them soak knowledge up like a sponge; they take everything around them in and are constantly learning! Plus, they definitely keep you on your toes! I learn something new from children every day!

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? I have several: camping with my grandparents in all different states of the country; skipping on the yellow brick road in Sedan, Kansas with my sister. Also, all the wonderful trips my parents have taken me on, and all the get togethers my parents have had over the years with all our closest friends; the music I grew up with is still some of my favorite today!

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? There are so many children’s books I enjoy…Right now Sebastian and my favorite is “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Suess. We read it every night, and he reads almost every word along with me. It’s a wonderful book about life and how you make your choices and to be the best you can be.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn’t otherwise guess about you? My name is on the Yellow Brick road, along with my sister’s in Sedan, Kansas. Plus, we have autographs from two of the people who played munchkins in the original Wizard Of OZ.

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Name: Kimberly

1. Born/Raised: Northern California

2. Family: My 8 year old daughter Sarah

3. Hobbies: Drawing, collecting insects, video games and movies.

4. Education:UW-Madison - Bachelor degree in Natural Resources. Majored in Entomology.

5. Years in the field: Since 2004

6. Start date at Animal Crackers Inc.: I was hired in 2004

7. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with? I love that babies find joy in the simplest of things. They laugh and smile at everything.

8. What is your favorite children’s book and why? When I was a kid I loved Richard Scary books. I liked the illustrations and attention to detail. When I was young I loved looking at pictures so that I could get ideas when I drew or colored.

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