Our Vision

Growing Minds Collective began with a simple idea: what if an early childhood education program could be a place where children have the freedom, space, and time to truly grow?

From the beginning, we have believed that children deserve more than a place to spend the day. They deserve an environment that is thoughtfully designed around how they learn best—through play, relationships, movement, nature, curiosity, and hands-on discovery.

As GMC grows, that vision is growing with us.

A Home Designed Entirely Around Children

We are entering an exciting new chapter as Growing Minds Collective transitions from a Connecticut-licensed Family Child Care (family home) program to a Connecticut-licensed Group Child Care Home. Our new license allows us to welcome up to 12 children on any given day, while our flexible enrollment model allows those spaces to be shared across a larger community of full- and part-time families throughout the week.

Our goal isn't to become bigger simply for the sake of being bigger. It is to thoughtfully grow our community while preserving the small-group experience, personal relationships, and sense of belonging that make GMC different.

The entire property is intentionally designed and dedicated to the children we serve.

What began as a small home-based program is becoming something truly unique: an early childhood learning environment that maintains the warmth, comfort, and familiarity of a home while providing the space, resources, and intentionality of a much larger program.

Every Space Has a Purpose

The entire first floor is dedicated to the children. With full access to the space and a full-size kitchen, children have more opportunities to practice independence, participate in cooking and practical life experiences, explore sensory materials, and engage in everyday learning that naturally extends beyond the traditional classroom.

The lower level will become a dedicated art and movement space for our older learners. This additional space will give children room to create, build, experiment, move their bodies, and explore new materials and ideas without being limited by the walls of a traditional classroom.

The upper level is a dedicated staff and administrative space. A thoughtfully designed staff break room gives our educators a place to step away, recharge, eat, and reset during the day. We believe caring for the adults who care for children is an essential part of creating a high-quality program. The space also includes expanded storage for toys and learning materials, allowing us to offer our students a greater variety of resources, as well as a dedicated administrative office.

And the entire outdoor space will belong to GMC. Our children have always had access to our outdoor environment, but now it is fully developed around their experience—with no shared family use. The yard continues to serve as an extension of the classroom, providing opportunities for nature exploration, imaginative play, climbing, movement, gardening, and discovery.

Growing Without Losing What Makes Us Special

We are incredibly intentional about how we grow. We don't want to lose the feeling that drew families to GMC in the first place—the feeling of being known. Of having teachers who know your child's personality, interests, strengths, and quirks. Of walking into a program where your child isn't just another name on a roster.

Our growth allows us to create more opportunities, more space, more resources, and a larger community while maintaining the close relationships and individualized attention that define the GMC experience.

The vision has always been bigger than childcare.

We are building a place where children can feel at home, educators can thrive, families can feel connected, and learning can happen everywhere.

A home designed entirely around children.

A bigger space. A bigger vision. The same sense of home.

THE

COLLECTIVE

Mixed-age classrooms serving children 6 weeks to 5 years of age, with learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia, Waldorf & Montessori education theories with an emphasis on nature-based learning.

THE

ACADEMY

Mixed-age learning pods serving children ages K-2, with a certified lead teacher and assistant, offering a blend of instruction and hands-on learning in the community.

THE COMPANIONS

Parent & Me classes alongside drop off 2's/3's programs for every stage of learning, providing exceptional education experiences for all family structures.

The Collective (6 weeks–5 years old):
A screen-free, play-centered curriculum designed to foster independence, problem-solving, and collaboration. With a lower-than-average teacher-to-child ratio, our educators provide individualized attention in a safe, enriching environment.

The Academy (Grades K–2):
Learning Pods that extend our philosophy into the early elementary years. Small, multi-age groups led by certified teachers engaging in hands-on, project-based learning with the flexibility of a homeschool model and the socialization and enrichment of a traditional school.

The Companions ((Flexible Enrichment):

Flexible, relationship-centered classes that bring children and caregivers together through meaningful opportunities for connection, exploration, and discovery. From parent-and-child experiences to enriching classes and community activities, The Companions create space for families to learn, grow, and connect alongside one another.