Welcome to our hive!

Honey Bee Hollow is a nurturing space where your little one can grow, explore, and thrive! Our licensed family child care in Branford offers a warm, home-away-from-home environment specifically designed for children from six weeks through four years old. We believe that children learn best through hands-on discovery, which is why our days are filled with play-based experiences deeply rooted in the natural world and sensory exploration. By engaging with natural materials and textures, children build essential fine motor skills and spark a lifelong curiosity about nature.

Our Approach 

Our approach relies on careful observation to "scaffold" learning, meaning we adapt our environment to meet each child's social, emotional, and cognitive milestones. Because we are a small, intimate family child care, your child is part of a community where their individual progress is celebrated. We foster an inclusive environment that honors the background of every child and family, ensuring that from the first tummy time to the transition into preschool, your child is inspired in a safe, loving setting that respects the wonder of childhood.

Meet Mimi

 

Affectionately known as Mimi by her grandson—and now by the children she teaches—she brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education to Honey Bee Hollow. Her journey has included working as a nanny, operating a family child care program, and serving as the director of a large licensed child care center for over a decade.


A lifelong nature lover and proud member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Mimi believes children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful connections with the natural world. Every class is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of learning.


Beyond the classroom, Mimi is a founding member and leader of the Connecticut Family Child Care Coalition, where she advocates for children, families, and the early childhood profession in CT. As a mother of three and grandmother, she understands the importance of creating spaces where children feel welcomed, supported, and connected.


"At Honey Bee Hollow, children are invited to slow down, explore together, and discover the simple magic of childhood through play." 🌿

-Mimi