Each day at Nana’s Day Care is designed for hands-on learning through play. Toddlers explore building and pretend play, music and movement, and early language activities that build confidence and strengthen social and emotional skills.
Our caregivers offer gentle guidance and consistent routines to help children express themselves, interact with others, and adapt to new experiences. We encourage independence while providing steady support, encouragement, and care.
With a thoughtful mix of structured activities and free exploration, your child will develop important skills, make friends, and enjoy meaningful growth every day.
Toddler Program | 18–36 Months
The toddler years are an exciting time filled with curiosity, discovery, and growing independence. At Nana’s Day Care, our toddler program provides a safe, loving, and engaging environment where children ages 18–36 months can explore the world around them while building confidence and important early skills.
We understand that every toddler develops at their own pace. Our caring approach gives children the freedom to explore while providing gentle guidance, encouragement, and support as they learn to express themselves, interact with others, and become more independent.
Throughout the day, children enjoy age-appropriate activities designed to support their growing minds and bodies. From stories, music, art, sensory play, and creative activities to outdoor play and movement, we provide plenty of opportunities for toddlers to learn through hands-on experiences and play.
We also support important everyday skills such as communication, sharing, following simple routines, self-help skills, and positive social interactions. When your child is ready, we can also provide encouragement and support throughout the potty-training process in partnership with your family.
Most importantly, we want every child to feel safe, loved, respected, and proud of their accomplishments. At Nana’s Day Care, we celebrate the little milestones that make these years so special and help each child grow at their own unique pace.
A Day with Our Toddler Group
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Arrival & free play. Warm welcome, toys, and social interaction with friends.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Healthy Breakfast, and time to practice self-feeding.
Circle time. Songs, stories, and early language activities
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Learning through play. Art, sensory activities, building, and imaginative play.
12:00 AM – 12:45 AM
Lunch. Encouraging independence and social mealtime routines.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Arrival & free play. Warm welcome, toys, and social interaction with friends.
Morning, healthy snack, and time to practice self-feeding.
Afternoon snack and activities. Music, small group play, and outdside time.
Nap / rest time. Quiet time to recharge
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Afternoon snack and activities. Music, small group play.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Free play & departures. Wind-down time and connection with caregivers.
“What We Focus On”
🧠 Early Learning & Development – Activities that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery.
🗣️ Language & Communication – Stories, songs, conversations, and activities that help build vocabulary and communication skills.
🎨 Creative & Sensory Play – Art, music, sensory experiences, and hands-on exploration.
🏃 Active Play – Indoor and outdoor activities that encourage movement, coordination, and physical development.
🤝 Social & Emotional Skills – Learning to share, take turns, express feelings, and build positive relationships.
🧸 Growing Independence – Encouraging toddlers to make simple choices and practice age-appropriate self-help skills.
🚽 Potty Learning Support – A positive, patient approach coordinated with each family.
❤️ Lots of Love & Encouragement – A nurturing environment where every accomplishment is celebrated.
What Toddlers Learn & Practice
Our toddler program provides many opportunities for children to learn, practice new skills, and build confidence through everyday experiences and play.
🗣️ Language & Communication
We encourage toddlers to express their needs, feelings, and ideas through conversations, songs, stories, and interactive activities. We introduce new words and encourage children to communicate with teachers and friends.
🧠 Early Learning
Through playful, age-appropriate activities, children begin exploring colors, shapes, numbers, letters, patterns, and simple concepts. Learning is naturally incorporated into play and everyday routines.
🎨 Creativity & Sensory Exploration
Art, music, sensory activities, and hands-on experiences give children opportunities to explore different textures, sounds, colors, and materials while encouraging creativity and curiosity.
🤝 Social & Emotional Development
Toddlers are learning how to interact with others and understand their emotions. We gently guide children as they practice sharing, taking turns, making friends, expressing feelings, and solving simple social challenges.
🏃 Physical Development
Active play, movement, outdoor exploration, and age-appropriate activities help strengthen coordination, balance, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills.
🌱 Independence & Self-Help Skills
We encourage toddlers to become more independent by practicing everyday skills such as cleaning up toys, washing hands, using utensils, putting on shoes, making simple choices, and participating in classroom routines.
🚽 Potty Learning Support
When your child is ready, we work together with families to provide a positive, patient, and consistent approach to potty learning. We respect each child’s individual readiness and pace.
📚 Stories, Music & Movement
Books, songs, fingerplays, dancing, and movement activities help make learning engaging while supporting language, listening skills, memory, coordination, and imagination.
❤️ Confidence & Positive Guidance
We celebrate each child’s accomplishments and encourage them to try new things. Through patience, consistency, and positive guidance, we help toddlers develop confidence and a growing sense of independence.
Our Goal
Our goal is to provide a loving environment where toddlers feel safe to explore, comfortable being themselves, and excited to learn. Every child develops differently, and we meet each child where they are while helping them take their next little step toward becoming confident, capable, and curious learners.
Toddlers are curious, active, and eager to explore the world around them. Our toddler program is designed to support this exciting stage of development by encouraging independence, communication, and discovery in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.
At this age, every day brings new experiences and milestones. We provide opportunities for children to learn through hands-on activities, play, music, stories, art, sensory experiences, and age-appropriate learning activities. Our goal is to make learning fun while helping each child develop at their own pace.
We encourage toddlers to become more independent by allowing them to make simple choices, practice self-help skills, and participate in daily routines. We also help children develop important social and emotional skills, such as sharing, taking turns, expressing their feelings, building friendships, and learning how to interact positively with others.
Our caring teachers provide gentle guidance, encouragement, and plenty of positive reinforcement as children learn to communicate their needs and navigate new experiences. We understand that toddlers are still learning how to manage big feelings, and we offer patience, comfort, and support as they develop confidence and emotional awareness.
Through a balance of structured activities, free play, quiet time, and active exploration, we create a daily routine that helps toddlers feel secure while giving them plenty of opportunities to grow, learn, and have fun.
At Nana’s Day Care, we celebrate every milestone—from a new word and first friendship to learning to clean up, put on shoes, or try something new. We are proud to be part of these important early years and to provide a place where your child feels safe, loved, encouraged, and excited to learn.
Toddler
18 months - 36 months
Our Philosophy
Encourage independence from the beginning
Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.
Respect the whole child
You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared—no black boxes or surprises.
Provide a calm and responsive environment
Every project is different. We stay flexible and responsive to make sure the process fits your flow—not the other way around.
Partner with parents
When we deliver, it’s not just a finished product—it’s a solution you can trust, backed by real care and effort.
“My second daughter just graduated from Nana's Day Care after two wonderful years in the loving care of Nana and Athos! Having now sent both of my children to Nana's I would of course highly recommend this Day Care to anyone considering day care for their child. I don't think my daughter ever cried once going and I was totally comfortable knowing she was in their care. Also never having to pack lunch was a real plus! Nana and Athos provided so much fun and love to our family and we will miss seeing them on a daily basis!”
- Mary L
Join Nana’s Day Care
If you're interested in enrolling your child, complete the form and we'll get back to you within a couple days. If you’d like to contact us about something else please reach out by phone or email.
Tel:415-381-4384
Email:
nana@nanasdaycaremarin.com
Address:
Mill Valley, CA
Hours:
Mon-Fri : 8:00 AM-5:00 PM