Named for its goal of creating an atmosphere as comforting and safe as home, Almost Home Childcare offers a variety of early childhood programs, such as preschool (including programs for infants and toddlers), before and after school care, kindergarten enrichment programs and summer camp.
Almost Home was founded in 1991 by Jennifer and Scott Soodek. Jennifer holds Masters degrees in Early Childhood Education and Community Counseling and has worked as a consultant for Work/Family Directions in Boston. She also has elementary school teaching experience.
Almost Home's infant program incorporates music, literature and toys that help children develop their motor skills. The program is highly individualized, with parents filling out extensive infant information forms detailing their child's schedule and routines. These forms serve as the basis for each child's daily care.
Children ages 1 through 3 enroll in the toddler program, which is based on an "integrated core curriculum." Daily themes are used to help the children explore art, music, literature, science, cooking, dance, motor development, language skills and social development. The preschool program uses monthly thematic units to help children develop positive self-esteem, creativity, problem solving skills and critical thinking skills. Themes may include units on subjects like dinosaurs, the rain forest or the solar system, and each unit incorporates lessons in areas including music, art, science, pre-math skills, pre-reading skills, writing and cooking.
Almost Home has two locations. The director of the location at 35 Copps Hill Rd., Fran Kelley, can be reached at 203-438-6118 or 203-438-8551. Bunny Kolf, the director of the location at 100 Danbury Rd., can be reached at 203-894-8208. Information is also available via e-mail at [email protected].
All Saints Catholic School teaches more than 700 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school's curriculum meets standards for both the state and diocese and offers three classrooms per grade. Among the numerous extracurricular activities offered are intramural sports, computer club, and theater.
Kaleidoscope Kids is a child care center for little ones from as young as 6 weeks up to 8 years old. The center provides both part-time and full-time options and offers flexible hours. The child care center is attached to and affiliated with the Ridgebury Congregational Church, but is not a religious-based program.
B'nai Torah Nursery School offers individual attention as well as group interaction opportunities for its children. This small, developmentally appropriate preschool offers art, music, block-building, problem solving, reading readiness, role playing, nature, cooking and woodworking for children to participate in. The school also features extensive indoor and outdoor physical activities. Regularly scheduled movement and music classes and a summer camp program are also available at B'nai Torah Nursery School.
The Shirley Reaback Early Childhood Center is located in the Kol Haverim Reform Jewish Congregation facility on Hebron Avenue. It is an all-faith childhood development center that is available two to five days a week for nursery school, kindergarten, play days and extended days. Tuesday morning play groups and a six-week summer program with a themed curriculum are also available.