🌻Daily Rhythms & Routines🐝

What does a typical day look like?

Our days are structured yet flexible, designed to flow with your child's natural developmental needs. A typical day includes:

• Morning Drop-Off & Breakfast 

 Children are greeted and served a nutritious breakfast. We enjoy a morning story together. Breakfast stops being served at 8:30 AM to smoothly transition into our morning rhythms.

• 9:00 AM Morning Meeting & Academic

 Work: We gather to start our day, dive into intentional learning activities, and build essential early skills.

• Guided Play & Morning Snack: Children engage in purposeful, child-led play with thoughtfully selected educational toys. A morning snack is served around 10:30 AM.

• Lunch & Storytime: We gather for lunch around noon with a special story together, creating a calm transition before rest time.

• Rest & Nap Time: Children settle for a cozy mid-day break to rest growing minds and bodies.

• Afternoon Snack: Once children wake up, they enjoy an afternoon snack to refuel.

• Outdoor Exploration (Weather Permitting): We spend our entire afternoon outside exploring and playing in the fresh air until pick-up.

• Indoor Rhythms (Inclement Weather): Children participate in engaging guided play or free-choice activities until it's time to go home.

How much outdoor time do children get?

Fresh air and outdoor play are essential to healthy development. Children go outside every afternoon (weather permitting). To keep things easy for you, we provide and apply sunblock before heading out to play.

Do infants and toddlers follow this same schedule?

Not at all. We know that the youngest minds and bodies thrive on their own rhythms. Infants and toddlers follow individualized schedules based on their unique sleep, feeding, and play cues — rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all timetable.

How do you handle nap time?

We prioritize comfort, safety, and age-appropriate rest. Children under two sleep in individual wooden cribs, while children over two use comfortable cots. We strictly follow safe sleep practices for all infants. To keep things seamless, we provide organic sheets and blankets, which are washed weekly (or sooner if needed).

🛡️Health, Licensing & Operations

Who lives in the home with Mimi?

Mimi resides in the home with her twelve-year-old daughter, Sarah. As a family childcare program, this warm, stable environment offers a true home-away-from-home feeling for all of our families.

Do you have any pets?

Yes! We have a small dog and a cat who are very friendly, gentle, and accustomed to being around children. For the health and safety of everyone in our care, both pets are fully up to date on all required immunizations and veterinary care.

What is your policy for inclement weather or snow days?

To provide reliable care for working families, Honey Bee Hollow does not follow the public school system for weather closings. We remain open during standard inclement weather. Closings will only occur under extreme circumstances: a power outage leaving the home without proper heat or air conditioning, or when the Governor officially shuts down state highways. In the rare event of an emergency closure, families will be notified immediately.

What is your sick child policy?

To maintain a healthy environment for everyone, children must be fever-free and symptom-free (without fever-reducing medication) for a full 24 hours before returning to care. If a child becomes ill or runs a fever during the day, a parent or emergency contact will be notified for immediate pick-up. This policy is strictly enforced to protect all the children and staff in our home.

Is Honey Bee Hollow licensed?

Yes. Honey Bee Hollow is fully licensed by the State of Connecticut as a family childcare program. We maintain rigorous health, safety, and educational standards, and our license is always available for review upon request.

What is your drop-off and pick-up policy?

Your child's safety is our highest priority. Only individuals explicitly listed on your authorized pick-up form will be permitted to collect your child. A photo ID will be requested for anyone we do not recognize. Please notify us in advance if there are any changes to your usual drop-off or pick-up routine so we can ensure a smooth transition.

📋 Enrollment & Tuition

How do I enroll my child?

Getting started is simple! Complete the Enrollment Inquiry form on our Enrollment page. Mimi will respond within 24 hours to schedule a getting-to-know-you phone call and a personal tour. If our program feels like the perfect match, you can secure your child's spot by submitting your enrollment deposit.

Do you accept Care  4 Kids?

No.  we do not.

While this is a fabulous program for parents, it does not work well for small small programs like ours.  

How much does tuition cost?

Our current tuition rate for full-time care is $250 per week. We also offer part-time schedules (Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday) — please inquire directly for current part-time pricing and availability.

What is the enrollment deposit?

To hold your child's spot, a deposit equal to two weeks of tuition is required at enrollment. This deposit is non-refundable should you choose other childcare arrangements prior to your child's scheduled start date. Otherwise, it is fully credited and applied toward your first and last weeks of care.

What ages do you accept?

We welcome children from 6 weeks through four years of age. Because we maintain small group sizes to ensure high-quality, individualized care, openings vary. Please check our Enrollment page for the most up-to-date availability.

What happens when my child grows older?

To best support your child's long-term developmental success, we recommend transitioning them to a preschool program in the September of their fourth year. Moving to a preschool environment at age four helps them successfully transition into the larger, more formal settings of kindergarten.

💬Communication & Staying Connected

How will I receive updates about my child's day?

Open, warm communication is the foundation of a wonderful childcare experience. Mimi provides daily verbal updates right at pick-up so you always know how your child's day went. We also maintain a private Facebook page exclusively for enrolled families — a completely private, secure space where daily pictures, special moments, and announcements are shared.

 🐝 We are also currently building our very own Honey Bee Hollow app so you can find all information, schedules, and updates at the touch of a button!

What is the best way to reach you?

You can reach Mimi through any of these channels:

• Email: Honeybeehollowct@gmail.com 

• Phone: 203-499-9401 

• Social Media: Find our public Honey Bee Hollow Facebook page for general business updates and community events (separate from our private family group).

 

🍯Still have questions?

 

Don't hesitate to reach out — Mimi is happy to chat!