toddlers

Clasroom Highlights:

• Low ratios of 1:6
• Two toddler rooms.
• Caregivers with degrees in child development or related field with additional training and education in early childhood education.
• Daily report provided by teachers to summarize the events of the day including eating, sleeping, diapering and potty training progress.
• Twice yearly assessments to make sure that the children are meeting age level expectations.
• Regular communication with parents to let them know how their child is progressing
• Individual activities planned to help each child reach his/her full potential.
• Transition to the next class is dependent upon age, development and space.

The Community School of the Park Cities has two toddler rooms with children ranging in age from 18 months to three years old. The toddlers follow a group schedule which includes circle time, center play time, creative art, and other seasonal projects. The toddlers also have a monthly lesson plan which follows a theme created to help the children learn more about topics that they are interested in, as well as helping them to build more skills.

Toddlers are still babies in many ways, but they want very much to "do it myself". Age appropriate activities utilizing thematic units are offered to encourage development of basic skills including letter, number, and shape recognition. The toddlers also have plenty of time to choose activities both inside and outside.

Throughout their time in the toddler room, the toddler teachers structure activities to help them meet the specific developmental milestones for their age group.

Meet Our Toddler Teachers                                                                                                       

Jessica Aldridge
From: Crandall, Texas
Education: Bachelor’s in Music Education, Stephen F. Austin State University
Teaching: Jessica Aldridge has worked as a teacher in the Toddler One classroom since August of 2010. She started volunteering for the Kaufman County Emergency Children’s Shelter at the age of 15 and was later employed there for 3 years. The first childcare facility she worked in was, The Little Red Wagon in Crandall , while she was a senior in high school. She also worked for 2 years at Raguet Childcare, in Nacogdoches, as a floater/teacher aide while she attended college, at Stephen F. Austin State University. She holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education. Some of her hobbies include windsurfing, kayaking and martial arts. Tae Kwon Do was a part of her life for many years. She currently holds the rank of 1st Dan Black Belt and spent many years teaching and assisting in classes at her dojo.


Allyson Stark
From: Pasadena, CA
Education: BA in English, Southern Methodist University
Teaching: One year at CSPC total
"It is very rewarding to help children learn new things, in new ways. It is fun to be creative in the ways you help children learn through art, singing, reading and playing."
Teaching Favorite: Getting to see the children grow, see them learn. Hearing them start talking for the first time is so special.




Kara Lowery
From: Snyder, TX
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.

Megan Slagle
From: Kilgore, TX
Education: University of Texas at Tyler, B.S. in Sociology
Teaching: 7½ years total, 1 year at CSPC
Megan began teaching because she wants to make a positive and direct impact on the future. As she says, “Children represent our hope for a better world.”
Teaching Favorite: “My favorite part of teaching is the experience of watching each child develop their own personality, Also, the hugs and smiles are very rewarding!”