Top-notch early childhood program with outdoor nature center
Providing nurturing, fun and creative early learning experience for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the Hamden area. Now available for families on the Shoreline too!
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Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Since 2005
What is your primary product or service?
Early childhood education, from infant through pre-k. We also offer before-school care for West Woods students in Hamden and before/after-school care for Joel School students in Clinton.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
One owner has a degree from Yale Law School, and has worked extensively as an advocate for children in Connecticut. The other owner has an MSW from UConn, and has worked with children in various capacities including as a Head Start teacher, school counselor, and individual child/adolescent therapist. Our staff developer has a Bachelor degree in early childhood education, a Master degree in education, and brings over 40 years experience in various roles pertaining to early childhood and elementary education.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are a small community school with a nature-based curriculum and outdoor nature center with wooded trails and a babbling brook. All of our teachers have a Bachelor or Master degree in education or a related field.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We opened a new Shoreline location on the Clinton/Madison town line in the spring of 2016. We also own and operate the Cheshire Nursery School.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We are located in a safe neighborhood setting in the north end of Hamden, near the Alice Peck School and Westwoods Elementary School.
What type of payments do you accept?
Checks, cash, credit card, auto debit
Which areas do you service?
Hamden, Cheshire, North Haven, New Haven, Wallingford and surrounding areas. We now serve the shoreline from Old Saybrook to Guilford at our conveniently located Clinton program as well!
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Mother (Suzanne Miller) and daughter (Nicole Miller Stevens) own and operate the Carrot Patch. Nicole's twin toddlers attend school here, so we have three generations on the premises!
What are your hours of operation?
Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. til 6:00 p.m.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
My child doesn't want to go home at the end of the day!