Toddler Program(18 months to 3 years)
Toddler Class in Gaithersburg, Maryland
Join our Toddler program every morning, or for three days per week if you choose. After a morning of fun and educational activities, your child can come home for lunch and a welcome nap or drop them off on your way to work and pick them up at the end of your day
Either way, your child will enjoy a day filled with experiences that meet their individual developmental needs.Children usually join the Toddler class when they are between 15 and 18 months old. When a child is nearing 3 years of age and is fully toilet trained, we watch for signs of readiness to move them up to the Primary class.
Toddlers are busy all day, exploring the various areas of the classroom. This is a wonderful advantage over what you can provide in your home, with many more choices, and opportunities to learn to share space with other Toddlers.
Practical Life
A variety of washing and water pouring choices. Dressing frames help them learn to dress and undress themselves practicing buttons, buckles, zippers, velcro, and snaps.
Language
Toddlers’ vocabulary explodes between 18 months and 3 years. We begin to help them recognize beginning sounds and rhymes, skills that will help them to read later. We also expose them to different objects such as animal figures so they can learn their names. We also provide a library that children can use at any time to sit and look at books.
Math
This is an age where the concept of counting begins. We practice counting, and expose them to numbers to build their early math skills.
Sensorial
Our sensorial activities introduce shapes and colors, as well as sounds, textures, sizes and temperatures, to stimulate their senses and label their experiences. These materials also introduce the concept of sorting, for example from small to large, or by color or shape. Children learn to pay attention to what their senses are telling them, and to use that information to create a sense of order in their world.
Our teachers are specially trained to teach social skills like taking turns, saying “please” and “thank you”, putting things away, and taking care of the materials.
It may sound like work, and we use the term “work” to refer to their activities, but the children really enjoy their time. Because our program is child led, your child will build a strong sense of confidence and independence.
Children are happy to arrive, once they move past the separation process, and often walk away from parents to greet their fellow students when they come in the door.
Children are happy to arrive, once they move past the separation process, and often walk away from parents to greet their fellow students when they come in the door.
Whether your child attends only for the morning, or for the whole day, they will have a wonderful experience with loving teachers.
Come see for yourself.
Parent's Reviews
Akuto Van Mensvoort
My daughter has started going to Top Hat Childcare before she started walking and she's now almost 5. I have to be honest, when it comes to small children, it's very delicate, you either feel strongly about what you want for them or you're ok with giving it a try and see how things go. The later approach worked for us, just like many other things in life. There were times were I would bring up concerns and I may have felt like my concerns were not taken into consideration the way I'd like, however eventually everything always worked out. The teachers and school members always did take note of our concerns. The staff is very friendly and polite.
Hee Kang Ho
“Nice teachers, Good facilities, Good programs for babies and kids”
Olga Burnham (April 2020)
“Our child has been attending Top Hat Childcare School since about 3 years old. When the shutdown occurred, and because we’re essential personnel for the workplace, Top Hat was quick to find ways to assist us with our childcare needs throughout this ordeal. Top Hat has helped my child to acquire math skills and is also learning to read common words in English as well as the basics of human anatomy among other science-oriented activities. Overall, we highly recommend Top Hat as a great place faithful to the method for setting a solid foundation for your child’s development!”
Katie Lucas ( April 2020)
“Our son has been at Top Hat Childcare for over 5 years. He’s had wonderfully caring teachers and administrators since he was enrolled. We highly recommend the peaceful environment and thoughtful approach to learning within the structure of the curriculum. Willing to answer any questions!”
Alan Young ( May 2020)
“If you are in the market for daycare or pre-K program in Gaithersburg, Top Hat Childcare is really a great option! My son has attended Top Hat since he was 6 months old. My wife and I have found that all three programs (infant, toddler and primary) are very well run. Each room offers a peaceful learning environment compared to some of the schools/daycare centers we visited before choosing Top Hat. The teachers truly care about children and they work with parents to ensure that progress is tracked on a daily basis. I feel that my son will be well prepared to start public school next September. Pricing is very fair relative to the quality care and education your child will receive. There’s also a discount for siblings…our daughter now attends as well!”
