Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool
Daycare center in Chester, CT. 25 W Main St, Chester, CT 06412
About the program
Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool is a licensed daycare center in Chester, Connecticut, on the state register since 2017. It is licensed for 48 children and serves preschool and school age ages.
Montessori Circle of Friends is a preschool in Chester, Connecticut, serving children between the ages of three and six.
The program follows a Montessori approach.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool 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
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
Outdoor space [19a-79-7a(h)(1-9)]
Regulation: There shall be access to a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor space for the number of children using the space at any one time. The outdoor area shall be fenced or protected for safety. Outdoor play equipment shall have a shock absorbing surface, under and around, that shall effectively cushion the fall of a child, except where the child is sitting or standing at ground level. The shock absorbing surface shall be maintained at a depth of at least eight inches, be free
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
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.
Show all 21 violations on file
Equipment Anchored/Safely Arranged [19a-79-7a(h)(5) &/or 19a-79-7a(h)(9)]
Regulation: Outside equipment shall be anchored for stability. Anchors shall be buried below ground level. Outdoor equipment shall be arranged in such a way as to avoid accidents.
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.
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.
Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced [19a-79-7a(h)(7)]
Regulation: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children.
Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR [19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4)]
Regulation: Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child's parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least two (2) years after the child is no longer attending the program
No Violations [-]
Regulation: -
Walls/Ceilings/Floors/Rugs: Clean/Good Repair [19a-79-7a(e)(5)]
Regulation: Walls, ceilings, floors and rugs shall be maintained in a state of good repair and be washable or easily cleanable.
Proper Refrigeration -45 degrees [19a-79-6a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-6a(a)6)]
Regulation: There shall be proper refrigeration of no more than forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit for perishable foods in all child care centers and group child care homes and on field trips. The kitchen in child care centers or group child care homes that is used for the preparation and serving of food to children shall be clean, well lighted and ventilated, protected by window screening and provided with hot and cold running water, adequate and safe storage for food and supplies and refrigeration.
Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Authorized Prescriber/Parent Permission/MAR [19a-79-9a(b)(3) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(4)]
Regulation: Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child's parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least two (2) years after the child is no longer attending the program
Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced [19a-79-7a(h)(7)]
Regulation: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children.
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.
License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe [19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a]
Regulation: The building, equipment and services shall be maintained in a good state of repair. A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and safety hazards.
Outdoor Play Area Protected/Fenced [19a-79-7a(h)(7)]
Regulation: The outdoor play area shall be protected from traffic, bodies of water, gullies and other hazards by barriers in a manner safe for children.
Approved Safety Outlets/Covers [19a-79-7a(d)(10)]
Regulation: Electrical outlets shall be provided with safety covers or approved safety outlets. The use and maintenance of electrical cords, appliances and adaptors shall be in full compliance with state codes.
Required Toilets/Sinks/Supplies [19a-79-7a(d)(11)]
Regulation: Requirements regarding toilet and washing facilities shall be satisfied.
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
Our two children received a wonderful educational foundation at Montessori Circle of Friends. The low student-to-teacher ratio allowed for valuable one-on-one guidance, and the self-guided, independent nature of the Montessori pedagogy suited our children well. The environment is calm, peaceful, and thoughtfully organized. We also greatly appreciated the wide range of "specials" and the dedicated educators who taught…
Alicia Lavallee · 5/5 on Google · 2 weeks agoCircle of Friends gave our son such a solid foundation. He grew in independence, confidence, and critical thinking skills before he even started kindergarten. It also taught us as parents how to foster his development at home. We're so grateful for this school and recommend it to any family.
Stephanie Farrand · 5/5 on Google · 2 weeks agoWe couldn’t have asked for a better early school experience for our children than Montessori Circle of Friends. They loved going to school and thrived in an environment that encouraged independence, curiosity, and Montessori-style learning. We especially appreciated the emphasis on being outdoors and learning about nature, the environment, different cultures, and the world around them. Our children have different…
Amanda Dombroski · 5/5 on Google · 3 weeks agoWe chose Montessori Circle of Friends because we loved the calm, welcoming atmosphere and the Montessori approach. We wanted our son to be in an environment that encouraged independence, curiosity, and a love of learning at his own pace. We are so grateful for the nurturing foundation Montessori Circle of Friends gave him and would highly recommend it to other families.
Alicia Garstka · 5/5 on Google · 3 weeks agoGetting there
25 W Main St, Chester, CT 06412
Questions about Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool
Is Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool licensed?
Yes. Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool holds an active Child Care Center licence from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (licence DCCC.70367), with a licensed capacity of 48 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool had any inspection violations?
Connecticut records 6 violations for Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool 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 Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool take?
Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool is licensed to serve preschool and school age ages, and is open 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool cost?
Montessori Circle of Friends Preschool does not publish tuition on its website. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees.