Pine Orchard Nursery School
Daycare center in Branford, CT. 149 S Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405
About the program
Pine Orchard Nursery School is a licensed daycare center in Branford, Connecticut, on the state register since 1969. It is licensed for 22 children and serves preschool ages.
Pine Orchard Nursery School is an independent, nonprofit, parent-involved preschool located in Branford, Connecticut.
The program follows a co-op approach.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Pine Orchard Nursery School does not publish a fee schedule on its website. Programs in the area that publish full-time tuition have a median starting price of $1,408 a month.
Licensing and safety
Open the state record →Most violations are record-keeping, training or maintenance items, and nearly every program has some. Read what each one was and how fast it was fixed. Connecticut records each regulation cited at an inspection with the date it was closed. The state does not assign a risk level. The text shown is the regulation the program was cited under.
Professional development [19a-79-4a(a)(2), (h)(1-2)]
Regulation: Documentation of professional development for each program staff who cares for the children, including new employee orientation and annual training for current program staff on the child care center or group child care home policies, plans and procedures. Program staff, including the director, shall complete health and safety training no later than three months after the date of hire. Written verification of ongoing training that is at least one percent of the total annual hours worked. As of A
021a-Past Employment History [19a-79-4a(b)(2)]
Regulation: Obtain from each prospective employee, who is eighteen years of age or older, for a position that requires the provision of care to a child or involves unsupervised access to a child, a listing of all employment held in the United States for an organization that provides care or services to children in the preceding five years. The operator shall take reasonable steps to contact each previous employer provided by the prospective employee to verify at a minimum the prospective employee’s job titl
Consultants [19a-79-4a(i)(1-2)(H), (F)]
Regulation: An education consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice and support regarding the educational content and practice of the program. A person needs to apply for approval to be an education consultant. Program staff shall not serve as education consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role; or in a program with the same operator as a program in which they provide direct care or direct program super
Policies- complete, implemented [19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7)]
Regulation: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include, but not necessarily be limited to discipline, when a child is not picked up as planned, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight and personnel policies. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.
Designated Director [19a-79-4a(e)(1)]
Regulation: The child care center or group child care home shall maintain documentation on site that there is a designated director who is twenty years of age or older. Any director hired or newly designated shall have not later than one year of being hired/ designated, at least three credits in the administration of early childhood education programs or educational administration from a regionally accredited higher education institution.
Show all 32 violations on file
Consultants [19a-79-4a(i)(1-2)(H), (F)]
Regulation: An education consultant shall be available to the operator and program staff for advice and support regarding the educational content and practice of the program. A person needs to apply for approval to be an education consultant. Program staff shall not serve as education consultants for programs in which they provide direct care or direct program supervision in a non-consultative role; or in a program with the same operator as a program in which they provide direct care or direct program super
Designated Director [19a-79-4a(e)(1)]
Regulation: The child care center or group child care home shall maintain documentation on site that there is a designated director who is twenty years of age or older. Any director hired or newly designated shall have not later than one year of being hired/ designated, at least three credits in the administration of early childhood education programs or educational administration from a regionally accredited higher education institution.
Lead Paint- testing, management plans [19a-79-7a(c)(6)(A-D)]
Regulation: If the child care center or group child care home is housed in any portion of a building that was constructed prior to 1978, the operator shall submit to the Office and maintain documentation on file at the child care center or group child care home of the following. Prior to use, all space used by staff, program staff, and children shall have undergone a comprehensive lead inspection by a lead consultant licensed by the Department of Public Health. Such lead inspection shall include testing of
Professional Development [19a-79-4a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-4a(g)]
Regulation: A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include documentation of professional development for each program staff person who cares for the children, including new employee orientation and annual training for current staff on programs policies, plans and procedures. Professional development for program staff shall be required for one (1) per cent of the total annual hours worked. The operator of the child c
Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff) [19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E)]
Regulation: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child's parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include an individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities, developed with the child's parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as nece
New Staff/Employee Orientation [19a-79-3a(b)(7) &/or 19a-79-4a(3)]
Regulation: The operator shall be responsible for the overall management and operation of the child care center or group child care home in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations and shall require participation by new staff in employee orientation. A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include documentation of professional development for each program staff person who cares for the children, inc
Current Fire Marshal Certificate [19a-79-3a(e)(2)]
Regulation: The operator shall post the current fire marshal certificate in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public.
Staff Health Records [19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2)]
Regulation: A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include an acceptable medical statement and a written report of a negative tuberculin test.
Annual Staff Training [19a-79-3a(b)(7) &/or 19a-79-4a(3)]
Regulation: The operator shall be responsible for the overall management and operation of the child care center or group child care home in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations and shall assure annual training for all current staff on the child care center or group child care home policies, plans and procedures. A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include documentation of professional develo
Child Health Records/Immunizations/TB [19a-79-5a(a)(2)(A) through (E)and/or19a-79-6a(e)]
Regulation: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child's parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include a health record that shall include date of birth, a physical examination form, an immunization record, and information regarding disabilities or special health care needs.
Impact Absorbing Material under Equipment [19a-79-7a(h)(2)]
Regulation: Where swings, seesaws or climbing apparatus are used, the surface in the space shall be protected with a minimum of eight (8) inches of impact absorbing materials.
Documentation of Behavioral Management Techniques Discussed with Parents [19a-79-3a(b)(8)(B)]
Regulation: The operator shall document that the techniques used to manage child behaviors in the facility have been discussed with the child's parent(s) prior to enrollment and reviewed as needed during the period of the child's enrollment.
Individual Care Plan (Signed by Parent/Staff) [19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E)]
Regulation: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child's parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include an individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities, developed with the child's parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as nece
Documentation of Behavioral Management Techniques Discussed with Parents [19a-79-3a(b)(8)(B)]
Regulation: The operator shall document that the techniques used to manage child behaviors in the facility have been discussed with the child's parent(s) prior to enrollment and reviewed as needed during the period of the child's enrollment.
Current Fire Marshal Certificate [19a-79-3a(e)(2)]
Regulation: The operator shall post the current fire marshal certificate in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public.
Logs/Visits Documented [19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G)]
Regulation: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative services shall include documenting the activities and observations in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.
Impact Absorbing Material under Equipment [19a-79-7a(h)(2)]
Regulation: Where swings, seesaws or climbing apparatus are used, the surface in the space shall be protected with a minimum of eight (8) inches of impact absorbing materials.
First Aid Kit(s):Indoor/Outdoor/Field Trip [19a-6a(c) and/or 19a-6a(d)]
Regulation: The facility shall maintain at least one (1) portable, readily available first aid kit wherever children are in care, including field trips, outdoor play areas and one to remain at the facility if all the children do not attend the field trip. Each kit shall be a closed container for storing first aid supplies, accessible to staff at all times but out of the reach of children. The first aid kit shall contain specified items and be restocked after use, and an inventory shall be conducted at least
Playground Free From Hazards [19a-79-7a(g)(4) and/or 19a-79-7a(h)]
Regulation: Hardware such as air conditioners, water heaters or fuse boxes shall be inaccessible to children. The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards.
Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff [19a-79-3a(d)(1)]
Regulation: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include daily attendance records for both children and staff showing the specific times of arrival and departure. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.
Local Health Inspection [19a-79-2a(c)(7)]
Regulation: At least every two (2) years, the local health director shall make unannounced visits, inspections or investigations of the licensed child care center or group child care home.
Documentation of Behavioral Management Techniques Discussed with Parents [19a-79-3a(b)(8)(B)]
Regulation: The operator shall document that the techniques used to manage child behaviors in the facility have been discussed with the child's parent(s) prior to enrollment and reviewed as needed during the period of the child's enrollment.
Enrollment Information [19a-79-5a(a)(1)(A) through (C)]
Regulation: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child's parent(s) and the local health director. The record shall include enrollment information and permission forms signed and dated by the parent(s).
Logs/Visits Documented [19a-79-4a(h)(2)(G)]
Regulation: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. Consultative services shall include documenting the activities and observations in a consultation log that is kept on file at the facility for two years.
Injury/Illness/Accident Reports [19a-79-5a(a)(3)]
Regulation: The facility shall produce and maintain on the premises, for a period of not less than two years, a written record of all injuries or accidents that result in an injury to a child or illness of a child enrolled at the facility that occur on or off site as part of the child care program. The written report for an individual child shall be available to the Office of Early Childhood and a copy shall be provided to the child's parent(s) no later than the next business day.
Rugs Secured [19a-79-7a(e)(5)]
Regulation: Rugs, if used, shall be secured to the floor.
Impact Absorbing Material under Equipment [19a-79-7a(h)(2)]
Regulation: Where swings, seesaws or climbing apparatus are used, the surface in the space shall be protected with a minimum of eight (8) inches of impact absorbing materials.
What parents say
I can’t say enough about how wonderful and nurturing the teachers at Pine Orchard are. They clearly don’t see teaching as just a job, but truly care about each student as an individual. Over the course of just one school year, I watched my shy daughter completely blossom and grow in confidence. She made friends, began to love going to school, and even spent her vacations counting down the days until she could return.
Aiden Hopkins · 4/5 on Google · 3 months agoI cannot say enough about how wonderful and nurturing the teachers at Pine Orchard are. They never treat teaching like just a job, and instead demonstrate tremendous caring for each student. Over the course of one school year, I watched my shy daughter blossom and come out of her shell. She made friends, loved going to school, and spent her vacations counting the days until she could go back to school.
Jenn S · 5/5 on Google · 13 years agoWe love the atmosphere, the teachers, and the learning that goes on at Pine Orchard Nursery School. The play-based education helps kids create firm building blocks for later social and academic learning.
Alana Joli Abbott · 5/5 on Google · 10 years agoBoth my kids went to PONS and I couldn't have been happier with that decision. They received a wonderful play-based education that prepared them for Kindergarten in a loving and warm environment. My children considered PONS as a second home and the teachers as family. I highly recommend!
Albinka Muratovic · 5/5 on Google · 4 years agoGetting there
149 S Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405
Questions about Pine Orchard Nursery School
Is Pine Orchard Nursery School licensed?
Yes. Pine Orchard Nursery School holds an active Child Care Center licence from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (licence DCCC.12902), with a licensed capacity of 22 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Pine Orchard Nursery School had any inspection violations?
Connecticut records 13 violations for Pine Orchard Nursery School in the last three years, across 6 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 15. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does Pine Orchard Nursery School take?
Pine Orchard Nursery School is licensed to serve preschool ages, and is open 9 am to 3 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Pine Orchard Nursery School cost?
Pine Orchard Nursery School does not publish tuition on its website. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees.
