Toddler Care and Development

The toddler years are dynamic and wonderful – and very busy! We provide a safe and engaging environment for toddlers to explore, interact, play, and learn. 

Our professional childcare team will get to know and understand your toddler so that we can create fun and educational activities for them. Children have opportunities to explore language, music, art, pretend play, imaginative play, and manipulatives. 

Merry Moose Childcare and Preschool offers full-time and part-time programs as well as drop-in care when space allows. Our toddler centers in Richmond, Rockville, and Cold Spring are equipped for children between the ages of 16 months and 32 months​. We’re excited to care for your busy little bee!

See Toddler Center Locations

Toddler Curriculum

Merry Moose Childcare and Preschool provides learning experiences for toddlers that are developmentally appropriate and geared to the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress. Each learning domain will be addressed to give your child opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential. 

Children learn at different rates and in different ways, and we encourage the process versus praise the result. We strike a balance between teacher-led learning activities and child-led activities.

​Your toddler will be encouraged to participate in activities that stimulate gross motor (large muscle) and fine motor (small muscle) development. Weather permitting, your toddler will go outside each day for free play and some structured activities.

Parent conferences are held twice a year to share formal feedback with families. 

A Day in the Life of a Merry Moose Toddler

See a typical day in one of our toddler centers. Schedules vary by location and may be adjusted based on the needs of our little ones.

6:00 a.m.	Center opens & children begin arriving: Free play, music on
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30 a.m.	Breakfast clean up Bathroom/diapering
8:45 a.m.	Teacher-led activities: ​Arts & crafts
9:15 a.m.	Teacher-led activities: ​Aerobic activities
10:00 a.m.	Teacher-led activities: ​Music & story time
10:45 a.m.	Child-led activities: Developmentally appropriate activities ​Bathroom/diapering
11:15 a.m.	Wash up & prepare for lunch
11:30 a.m.	Lunch
12:30 p.m.	Clean up after lunch ​Bathroom/diapering
12:45 p.m.	Prepare for rest & nap time
1:00 p.m.	Quiet time/rest
2:30 p.m.	Child-led activities: ​Outside time & free choice
3:30 p.m.	Wash up for snack time
3:45 p.m.	Snacks
4:30 p.m.	Child-led activities: ​Free choice for all ages
5:00 p.m.	Clean up ​Prepare for child dismissal
5:30 p.m.	Center closes

Information for Parents & Families

Every family is provided with a copy of the Merry Moose Childcare and Preschool Handbook. Everything you’ll need to know, including our policies, procedures, and approach to child development, can be found inside. Our professional childcare team is available to answer questions about our toddler program.  

Items provided by parents/families:

• Formula/breastmilk, bottle, water bottle
• All diaper changing supplies
• One extra change of clothing, seasonal/outdoor clothing, and one pair of indoor shoes
• Blanket, stuffy, and pacifier (if applicable)
• Please label all supplies with child’s first and last name

Items provided by the center:

• Cots for rest/napping
• Nutritious meals and snacks
• Daily log/updates on your toodler's day (meals, diaper changes, activities, photos) via the Brightwheel app
• Monthly newsletters and two parent/teacher conferences per year (April and October)

Download Handbook

​Looking for Tuition information?

For current tuition rates, please refer to our handbook.  ​​​

FROM THE MERRY MOOSE VILLAGE

"I always tell people that I would drive two hours just to have my kids learn from all of you! They have learned so much: friendship, responsibility, independence, etc. We could not thank you enough for helping to raise our daughters in such a positive way."
​Sarah J.

Want to Learn More About Our Toddler Program?

For more information about our toddler center program or to check availability for enrollment, please contact us at 320-241-0248 (Richmond), 320-443-0176 (Rockville), or 320-292-3266 (Cold Spring). You can also click the button below to send us an email.

Contact Us