Currently, we are a mixed-age private early childhood education program in Norwalk, CT serving children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Our regular program starts at 8am and finishes at 5pm. We offer extended care starting at 7:30am and ending at 5:30pm for an additional fee.

We are working on growing into a full service Early Childhood Education System comprised of The Daycare, The Academy & The Companions.

The Academy
Mixed-age homeschool learning pods designed for Pre-K through 2nd Grade students, focused on curiosity-driven, project-based, collaborative learning.
 
The Companions
Flexible, nurturing day programs that support children across the early learning years, designed to meet families where they are. Think "Companion & Me" enrichment classes.
 
At Growing Minds Collective, our goal is simple: to provide thoughtful, high-quality care and education that adapts to each family’s unique schedule, needs, and stage of development.
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Click here to learn more about our vision.

A mixed-age classroom of toddlers and preschoolers mirrors a family ecosystem where younger children learn by watching and imitating older peers, while the “big kids” strengthen their own skills by modeling and teaching what they know. Daily collaboration across the 12-month-to-4-year span promotes richer language exposure, accelerates social-emotional growth (empathy, patience, leadership), and reduces competition because developmental expectations are naturally individualized. Younger children stretch toward higher-level play and vocabulary, older children gain confidence and problem-solving practice, and everyone benefits from a wider repertoire of play themes and ideas—creating a dynamic, nurturing community that supports each child’s unique pace of development.

Early drop-off and late pick-up may be available by request only and are subject to an additional fee. Availability is limited and must be approved in advance.

Click here to apply for FREE. We will respond within 48 hours regarding your interest in enrolling at GMC. Please note that submitting the form places you on our waitlist if spots are not readily available.

• All the Essentials—On Us:
 Every child receives a steady supply of premium, fragrance-free diapers and wipes, so you can leave the bulky diaper bag at home.

• Cot Sheet (which will be washed at the end of each week, so you don't have to worry about the hassle!)

• Daily Story & Photo Updates:
 Peek into your child’s day with a secure app feed of snapshots, anecdotes, and learning highlights.

• Personalized Growth Newsletter:
 A monthly mini-portfolio that tracks milestones, nature discoveries, and emerging interests.

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Note: Families pack their own meals and snacks, allowing you to tailor food choices to your child’s tastes and dietary needs while we handle everything else that keeps the learning—and exploring—running smoothly.

We aren't your average home daycare. In fact, we don't plan to stay as just a daycare for long. If you read our vision, you'll understand how passionate we are about the homeschool experience. That's why we've implemented benefits that mimic a facility daycare at a home daycare price. 
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At GMC, we have a team of teachers and staff dedicated to the safety and development of our students, offering a lower than average teacher to child ratio.

Because we are a nature-based learning community, 60-70% of our days are spent outdoors and there is no screen time!

At Growing Minds Collective, we offer a more personalized, relationship-based approach to early childhood education. Our small group setting allows for individualized attention, deeper connections, and a calm, nurturing environment where children feel truly known and supported.
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We combine the warmth of a home setting with the structure and intention of a high-quality early learning program. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed in collaboration with a Certified Curriculum Consultant, creating engaging, theme-based experiences that support each child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
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Families also benefit from clear and consistent communication through Procare, making it easy to stay connected to your child’s day and progress.
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The result is a program that feels both intimate and intentional — where children are given the space to explore, grow, and thrive.

We believe in hands-on learning, which is why we've built a custom thematic-based curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori. Our curriculum assures each child plays, learns, speaks and acts according to the developmental milestones identified by the State of Connecticut's Office of Early Childhood and the CT ELDS. To access a list of these milestones, click here.

The daycare runs year round with two week-long breaks; one in the summer and one in the winter. We close for all federal holidays. 

At GMC, we're passionate about education, which is why we're committed to nurturing our teachers! Our team is composed of our Director and a team of seasoned daycare educators who share our vision of enriching the homeschool journey with an engaging, theme-based curriculum. For more information about our staff, click here.

GMC offers full time & part time enrollment options. For current tuition pricing, click here.

Nap time or Quiet time occurs daily right after lunch. We understand that not all children nap the same and that's perfectly okay! However, all children participate in nap time or quiet time after lunch. This is a period of rest and relaxation that allows their bodies and minds to recharge after a busy morning. Even if your child doesn't sleep, they’ll be encouraged to engage in calm, quiet activities such as reading, puzzles, or listening to soft music. This downtime helps ensure everyone is refreshed and ready for the fun-filled afternoon ahead!

All children sleep on a cot with a fitted sheet. Parents provide a blanket, which can remain on premise and will be washed at the end of each week (unless washing is required sooner).

The room is darkened with curtains and a sound machine is used to create a soothing atmosphere. 

It’s completely normal for children to need time to adjust to a new nap routine, and we create a calm, comforting environment to help them feel safe and at ease. Don’t worry—children are incredibly adaptable, and with consistency, gentle guidance, and a cozy space to rest, most little ones settle into the routine quicker than you might expect.