Infant Care
Safe sleep, your baby's own schedule and a daily report you can read on the drive home.
Toddler care · 18 months to 3 years
Toddler daycare in Mentor, Ohio
LSU's toddler program is for children from 18 months to 3 years who are walking, talking and into everything. They learn through play: building, pouring, painting, climbing and naming everything they see, with patient help on the way to potty training.
- Ages 18 months to 3 years
- Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Prefer to talk? Call (440) 255-6011, Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
What will my child explore?
Big wordsNaming everything, songs and story time
Messy artPaint, playdough and sensory bins
Music and movementDancing, marching and instrument play
I can do itPotty learning, self-feeding and tidying up
Who is this program for?
Toddlers are ready for more independence than babies but still need a predictable rhythm. This room is for children who walk confidently and are starting to use words, usually from about 18 months until they turn three.
We follow your routines at home for naps, meals and potty training, so your toddler hears the same words in both places.
What does a day look like?
Sample day. Times shift with each child's needs.
- ArrivalHellos, hand washing and free play at learning centers.
- Morning circleSongs, a short story and naming the day's weather and feelings.
- Learning centersBlocks, art, sensory bins, books and pretend play.
- Outdoor playRunning, climbing and riding toys on the playground.
- Lunch and napFamily-style lunch, then rest on individual cots.
- AfternoonMusic and movement, snack and art where the process matters more than the result.
We are filming this video now. Until it is ready, the best way to see inside is an in-person tour: book one here.
Read the transcript
The transcript will be published here with the video, so parents who prefer to read get every word.
How do you keep children safe?
Ohio requires one teacher for every seven children from 18 months to 2½ years, and one for every eight from 2½ to 3. LSU meets or beats these ratios.
- Toys and play spaces sized and checked for toddlers, with outlets covered and furniture anchored.
- Teachers stay at eye level during meals because toddlers are still learning to chew and swallow safely.
- Allergy plans posted in the room for staff only, never with your child's name in public view.
Who will teach my child?
Your child's lead teacher is a licensed instructor who knows every child in the room by name and keeps learning every year.
[Lead teacher name] has worked at LSU for [X] years. You will meet them on your tour.
Toddler Care questions parents ask
What are the toddler ratios at LSU?
Ohio requires one teacher for every seven children from 18 months to two and a half years, and one for every eight from two and a half to three. LSU meets or beats these ratios and keeps toddlers in small, consistent groups.
Do you help with potty training?
Yes. Teachers follow the routine you use at home, offer regular bathroom breaks and celebrate small wins, so your toddler hears the same words at school and at home.
What will my toddler do all day?
Toddlers learn by moving, touching and talking. Their day mixes free play at learning centers, songs and stories, art where the process matters more than the product, outdoor time, meals and a nap.
When does my toddler move up to preschool?
Children move up based on age and readiness, usually around their third birthday. Teachers plan the move with you so your child visits the new room before switching.
Related programs
Preschool and Pre-K
Hands-on lessons aligned with Ohio's standards and a clear path to kindergarten.
Daily schedules by age
See how each room's day is built.
