The Carrot Patch Program
We are proud to say that our classroom teachers hold college degrees, and some are credentialed public school teachers with early elementary-level experience. Our Staff Developer was educated at the prestigious Bank Street School of Education in New York City, apprenticed under the wise and talented Jan Romo, and works closely with our professional teaching staff.
We offer an individualized curriculum featuring a nature-based inquiry approach. We incorporate the place-based Bank Street educational model, focusing on the child's familiar environment as a base for their growing awareness and understanding of the larger world. We build on children's innate connection to nature as a way to integrate critical thinking, literacy, science, music and movement, arts, mathematics, social studies and social-emotional development in a balanced, holistic way.
We invite you to click on the links for 'Preschool', 'Toddlers' and 'Infants' to find more detailed information of these programs.
We are proud to say that our classroom teachers hold college degrees, and some are credentialed public school teachers with early elementary-level experience. Our Staff Developer was educated at the prestigious Bank Street School of Education in New York City, apprenticed under the wise and talented Jan Romo, and works closely with our professional teaching staff.
We offer an individualized curriculum featuring a nature-based inquiry approach. We incorporate the place-based Bank Street educational model, focusing on the child's familiar environment as a base for their growing awareness and understanding of the larger world. We build on children's innate connection to nature as a way to integrate critical thinking, literacy, science, music and movement, arts, mathematics, social studies and social-emotional development in a balanced, holistic way.
We invite you to click on the links for 'Preschool', 'Toddlers' and 'Infants' to find more detailed information of these programs.
Healthy Foods
The Carrot Patch subscribes to a healthy foods policy for our children. We believe a well-nourished child is well-prepared to make the most of their day. We emphasize the connection between wholesome foods, and physical and emotional well-being. Children learn about food production and nutrition, and they engage in hands-on learning, planting and tending their own vegetable gardens. We encourage healthy choices in meals and snacks. In season, we supplement food brought from home with produce harvested from the children's garden.
Regular Communication
Home-school communication is also key at the Carrot Patch. Since each classroom is led by a dedicated full-time teacher and consistent teaching team, there is always an opportunity to check in with one of your child's teachers at drop-off or pick-up times. All families have access to teachers and directors via Remind, an app that allows parents to directly contact staff. Younger children have a "daily sheet" prepared each day with a log of all the important information parents need to track their child's day. Preschool teachers send parents updates covering highlights and news. All teaching teams provide periodic updates that discuss the learning and fun taking place in their classroom, and furnish information on upcoming units and events. Carrot Patch families, past and present, enjoy a private Facebook group providing real-time updates of the children's activities with plenty of photos, as well as a forum for information and discussion. The family Facebook group is a private, non-searchable communication tool that is available to the Carrot Patch community by invitation only.
The Carrot Patch subscribes to a healthy foods policy for our children. We believe a well-nourished child is well-prepared to make the most of their day. We emphasize the connection between wholesome foods, and physical and emotional well-being. Children learn about food production and nutrition, and they engage in hands-on learning, planting and tending their own vegetable gardens. We encourage healthy choices in meals and snacks. In season, we supplement food brought from home with produce harvested from the children's garden.
Regular Communication
Home-school communication is also key at the Carrot Patch. Since each classroom is led by a dedicated full-time teacher and consistent teaching team, there is always an opportunity to check in with one of your child's teachers at drop-off or pick-up times. All families have access to teachers and directors via Remind, an app that allows parents to directly contact staff. Younger children have a "daily sheet" prepared each day with a log of all the important information parents need to track their child's day. Preschool teachers send parents updates covering highlights and news. All teaching teams provide periodic updates that discuss the learning and fun taking place in their classroom, and furnish information on upcoming units and events. Carrot Patch families, past and present, enjoy a private Facebook group providing real-time updates of the children's activities with plenty of photos, as well as a forum for information and discussion. The family Facebook group is a private, non-searchable communication tool that is available to the Carrot Patch community by invitation only.
Our 2 Locations:
- Our flagship Hamden location first opened in 2005, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Carrot Patch-Shoreline, conveniently located at Rt. 1 in Clinton near the Madison town line, opened its doors in 2016.
- Our flagship Hamden location first opened in 2005, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Carrot Patch-Shoreline, conveniently located at Rt. 1 in Clinton near the Madison town line, opened its doors in 2016.
