Hamden Daycare - Carrot Patch infants toddlers preschool pre-k children, education, professional, creative, learning

Nicole and I are delighted to bring families in the Hamden-Cheshire-North Haven area a first-rate early learning center where children will 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!

The preschoolers are engaged in a series of science themes, each of which reinforces a number of similar objectives. They started out investigating "Hot and Cold", as they began to develop an understanding of the scientific method. Other goals of our science studies include identifying and sorting, using senses and measuring tools, manipulating small objects, and understanding how print carries a message that can be related to their world. Various projects integrating art, sensory, motor, math, and literacy projects will be supplementing the science experiments themselves. Continue to watch this space to learn more about the discovery-based activities our creative public-school certified head teacher has in store for this lucky group of children working in a 1:7 ratio!

Our older Toddlers have been working hard on their unit about birds. This theme provides a wealth of opportunities to explore through story books, music and movement, and creative art projects. A bird feeder outside the toddler room window has meant many winged visitors have come to share directly with the class! The two-year-olds also made a bird house, counted and sorted feathers after viewing them up close under a magnifying glass, and listened to various bird calls. Visitors to the Center had a chance to enjoy the toddlers dressed in homemade beaks, feathers, and chest plates as they pretended to be robins flying around their room!

Other Toddler classes have embarked on a pond study--focusing first on frogs, then turtles, then ducks. We are all waiting to see what creature might be the next subject of their inquiry! These toddlers are learning to distinguish between pond-dwellers and animals from other habitats. They have watched the life cycles of the frog and duck. They have enjoyed many books on the subject of pond dwellers, painted with duck feathers, and acted out the Five Speckled Frogs.

Infants, as usual, are enjoying the wealth of snuggling, tummy time, and exploration that our 2:5 ratio encourages. Currently, many of our Infant group have siblings in the Toddler and Preschool classes, so regular visits among the school community have been met with glee! Of course, we will continue 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 and well-qualified teachers to provide their care and encourage their development. Openings are limited, but we currently have an opportunity to welcome a new part-time baby into our group for the fall.

Click on the "Activities" Carrot for specific information on openings. Call us at 248-5433 or email carrotpatchkids@yahoo.com to arrange a personal tour, given Tuesdays through Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. To learn more about our daily activities and enjoy photos and videos of our various classes, be sure to ask for the web addresses of our teacher-made blogs.

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 fully-renovated Center and 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. Our professional music teacher and school nurse visit regularly to enhance the health and well-being of our kids. Watch for opportunities to visit and 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 2010-2011, 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.

Preschool Program:

The preschool program at the Carrot Patch Early Learning Center balances structured activities that allow children to learn new skills with free play that fosters creativity and individual expression. Our Staff Developer has over 35 years of experience in early childhood education and works closely with our professional teaching staff. The curriculum is theme-based and includes daily experiences such as dramatic play, blocks, early math and science, puzzles and books, incorporating literacy learning throughout. 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. Children who complete the program are well-prepared for the expectations of the kindergarten classroom.

Infant-Toddler Program:

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. Daily activities for toddlers include experiences such as simple art projects, dramatic play, and free play that encourages manipulation, imitation and exploration. Social skills such as empathy, caring and sharing are also emphasized with toddlers through interactions with warm, responsible and encouraging caregivers.

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