Our Infant Classroom Community, or ‘Nido’ (the Italian word for nest), is a specially designed environment for children three months through one year and walking. Children are ready to transition to the Toddler Community when they are walking and are taking one long nap mid-day. Our Infant Community is at capacity with nine infants. We maintain a 3:1 child:adult ratio. The state ratio is 4:1, and it is the ratio that most centers follow. Our Infant Community is a unique blend of Montessori and also inspired by the writings of Magda Gerber. Montessori philosophy guides our practices and our pedagogy. Our practice is founded in a deep respect for infants and their capacity for communication and independence. We value freedom of movement and discovery within the context of connection. We prepare an environment that supports freedom of movement, natural development of movement, the development of order, and the development of language and within the context of deep and loving connection. Our curriculum consists primarily of care giving rituals; infants learn to drink from a glass and eat at a table with their peers. Infants wean themselves and learn to move in their own time and in their own way. Our specially trained adults support their development through careful observation. When children are over fourteen months, walking well, and taking one big nap in the afternoon they will be ready to transition into our Toddler Community.