Nicole and I are delighted to bring families in the Hamden-Cheshire-North Haven area a first-rate early learning center where children thrive in a safe, fun, nurturing and creative environment year-round. My daughter and I bring our passion for education and our love of children to every detail and every decision we make. We have been working hard with some of Connecticut's top talent in the early learning field and we know you'll love the result.

Be sure to watch for news about the outdoor nature classroom opening by summertime! Our planning committee includes a representative from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, an architect, two biologists, a builder, and a long-time early childhood educator. With the additional help of many Carrot Patch parents, we are well on our way to creating a wooded environmental center for our children to revel in the wonders of nature. Preschool and Toddler staff have already begun a program of special education to enhance their use of the new space.

The Carrot Patch Early Leaning Center provides an individualized program of school-readiness and enrichment for pre-schoolers aged 3 to 5 years of age. The Carrot Patch is not a babysitting center! We offer a carefully crafted inquiry-based curriculum designed to challenge each child to stretch and grow. Professional staff tailor the program to the individual needs of each child, ensuring that the particular challenges they encounter ultimately lead to success. This experience of positive outcomes rewarding their efforts enhances children's self-confidence and naturally promotes a joy for learning!

We are proud to say that our Head Teacher holds both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Education, and is certified to teach at the pre-k/elementary school level. Our Staff Developer has over 35 years of experience in early childhood education and works closely with our professional teaching staff. We offer a developmentally-appropriate program based on the Bank Street educational model, and use the Creative Curriculum approach to lesson planning. In addition, we have a professional music teacher who works with the preschool class on a twice monthly basis.

Our children learn while having fun using hands-on, discovery-based methods to explore science, math, language, music and the arts, as well as enhancing social, spatial, and physical skills. Building skills such as negotiation, cooperation and communication are encouraged and modeled by our sensitive, caring teachers. A developmentally-appropriate curriculum is planned and posted regularly in each classroom.

In addition, we have created a special space within the larger preschool classroom just for the children planning to attend kindergarten in the fall. The "Pre-K Academy" meets with the head teacher for approximately 2 hours each morning to engage in more advanced activities. Miss Erin has an amazing track record of preparing older preschoolers for the rigors of their upcoming educational settings. And best of all, she does it creatively, joyously, and without flash cards, "dittos", or drills. She inspires in her students an even deeper love of learning by challenging them to explore, think and grow in interesting new ways.

The toddler program at the Carrot Patch Early Learning Center balances structured activities that allow children to learn new skills with plenty of free play that fosters creativity and individual expression. The curriculum is theme-based and includes daily experiences such as creative art, dramatic play, blocks, pre-math and science, puzzles and other manipulative materials, and fully incorporates literacy learning throughout.

Our toddlers take ample advantage of the glorious wooded setting that greets them here at the Carrot Patch each morning to study nature and the changing seasons. Social skills such as independence, empathy, caring and sharing are also emphasized with toddlers through interactions with warm, responsible and encouraging caregivers. Every teacher in the toddler program holds at least a Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related field.

Developing secure and trusting relationships is a primary task for infants. Teachers foster this trust through frequent physical contact, sensitive responses to infants' signals (cries and smiles), and mutual delight in interactions. Infants are provided visual and tactile stimulation and opportunities for gross motor activity. Infants at the Carrot Patch enjoy the wealth of snuggling, tummy time, and exploration that our 2:5 ratio encourages.

We are committed to the low teacher:child ratio in our cozy Infant Room because we believe this level of care is necessary to give our smallest "students" the loving attention they deserve. Our program is small, homey, and features a thoughtful focus on early child development. We accept no more than five infants, with two mature teachers to provide their care and encourage their development. The Head Teacher holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education. Currently, many of our infants have siblings in the toddler and preschool classes, so regular visits among the school community have been met with glee! Openings are limited and siblings are given preference, but spaces do open up from time to time.

Our small school is cozy and warm, situated in a serene, wooded neighborhood setting that offers a wonderful "outdoor campus" for nature studies. Our staff is dedicated, nurturing and professional. We welcome your visit, and will happily answer any questions you might have about our program. We feel sure you will find the Carrot Patch to be a unique and welcoming community of learners!

We think our individualized approach, professional college-educated teachers, and focus on "play with a purpose" creates the ideal happy learning environment for your child! We enjoy showing off our warm and inviting school, as well as our architect-designed playground where we have plenty of inviting space for biking, gardening, and all-out kid-style fun. Our nurturing, experienced and committed professional staff are on-hand to answer questions and discuss our fun-filled, child-centered creative curriculum.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Private tours are given at 11:00 a.m. by appointment. We invite you to bring your family to see for yourself why our desire to be the best early learning center in the area has led to something really special!

P.S. Tuition rates for 2011-2012, and current openings can be found by clicking on the "Activities" Carrot. And don't forget to learn more about our impressive teaching staff by clicking on the "Staff" Carrot.