Darien Nature Center
Daycare center in Darien, CT. 120 Brookside Rd, Darien, CT 06820
About the program
Darien Nature Center is a licensed daycare center in Darien, Connecticut, on the state register since 2015. It is licensed for 32 children and serves infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Darien Nature Center does not publish a fee schedule. Programs in the area that publish full-time tuition have a median starting price of $1,967 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
Parent Permissions [19a-79-5a(a)(1)(D)(i-iv)]
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 specific written permission forms signed by the parent(s) authorizing the operator to use the programs emergency policies which shall accompany the child on trips away fro
Water temperature 60 ℉ � 120 ℉ [19a-79-7a(e)(3)]
Regulation: The water heating equipment shall deliver water at the tap, the temperature of which shall be within a range of 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It shall have the capacity to deliver the required amounts at all times.
2.8 yr olds enrolled in preschool-authorization [19a-79-3a(l)]
Regulation: A child care center or group child care home with a preschool endorsement may deem a child who is thirty-two to thirty-six months of age, inclusive, to be three years of age for purposes of enrolling such child in a preschool program provided such child care center or group child care home receives written authorization from such child�s parent and the director to so enroll such child in the preschool program. The written authorization shall be kept on file at the child care center or group chil
Individual care plan- signed by parents/staff [19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E)]
Regulation: An individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities when it is necessary that special care be taken or provided while a child is in attendance shall be developed and implemented with the child's parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as necessary. The plan shall include appropriate care of the child to prevent and respond to a medical or other emergency and shall be signed by the parent and program staff responsible for the care of the child.
Show all 25 violations on file
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
Ventilation in Toilet Room [19a-79-7a(d)(11)(F) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(G)]
Regulation: Each toilet room shall be ventilated to the outside atmosphere. In child care centers constructed or renovated after January 1, 1994, all toilet facilities shall be mechanically ventilated to the outside atmosphere.
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.
Oral/Topical/Inhalant/Injectable Medications: Labeling/Storage [19a-79-9a(b)(5)]
Regulation: Medication shall be stored in the original child-resistant safety container and appropriately labeled. Medication shall be stored in a locked area or a locked container in a refrigerator in keeping with the label directions away from food and inaccessible to children. Controlled drugs shall be stored in accordance with state law. Equipment and medications prescribed to treat asthma, administer glucagons, or as an emergent first line of defense medication against an allergic response shall be s
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
Adequate Lighting: 50/30 Candle Feet [19a-79-7a(e)(8) &/or 19a-79-7a(e)(9)]
Regulation: All spaces occupied by people, equipment within buildings, approaches to buildings and parking lots shall have a minimum of one foot candle of lighting per square foot. All rooms used by children for reading, painting and other close work shall have at least fifty foot candles of light. For other work or play areas there shall e at least thirty foot candles of light.
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.
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
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.
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
Notification of Change [19a-79-3a(c)]
Regulation: The operator shall notify the Office of Early Childhood, the parent(s) and staff of any changes in programs or services. Notification of personnel changes shall be made within five (5) business days after the change. If the change is for a head teacher, a plan for interim head teacher coverage shall be submitted to the Office of Early Childhood. A qualified head teacher or a plan approved by the commissioner shall be in place within thirty (30) days of change of a qualified head teacher. Notific
Health Consultant/Documentation of Visits [19a-79-10(i)]
Regulation: A health consultant shall visit the program on the days and times children under the age of three (3) are present. The health consultant shall prepare and maintain signed documentation of visits which shall be kept on the licensed premises. The health consultant shall visit the program according to the following schedule: (A) once a week for children up to twenty-four (24) months of age, (B) once a week for children two (2) to three (3) years of age attending a full day, and (C) once a month fo
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
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.
047b-Plans for New Construction, Expansion, Renovation or Conversion 19a-79-7a(b)
Regulation: Plans for new construction, expansion, renovation or conversion, indicating the proposed use and accompanied by a written narrative shall be submitted to the Office of Early Childhood prior to the start of construction. Completed plans and specifications shall be submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Early Childhood on the basis of compliance with the Public Health Code. Written approval by the local building inspector, local director of health or designee, local zoning and local fire mar
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.
Policies [19a-79-3a(d)(2) thru (8) &/or19a-79-7a(d)(11)(A)]
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, emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, 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. Where toilets and sinks are shared by children and adults
Lead Water Test/Bottled Water [19a-79-7a(a) and/or 19a-79-7a(c)(3)]
Regulation: Water supply, food service and sewage disposal facilities shall be in compliance with all applicable sections of the Public Health Code. All water supplies shall be tested every two (2) years for lead content and the results submitted to the local and state health departments. Whenever water is obtained from other than a Department of Public Health-approved public water supply, it shall be of a safe and sanitary quality and tested every two (2) years for bacterial and chemical quality and the re
Getting there
120 Brookside Rd, Darien, CT 06820
Questions about Darien Nature Center
Is Darien Nature Center licensed?
Yes. Darien Nature Center holds an active Child Care Center licence from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (licence DCCC.70261), with a licensed capacity of 32 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Darien Nature Center had any inspection violations?
Connecticut records 7 violations for Darien Nature Center in the last three years, across 6 inspections on file. The median daycare center in the area has 12. Each one is listed above with the date it was corrected.
What ages does Darien Nature Center take?
Darien Nature Center is licensed to serve infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 9 am to 3:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Darien Nature Center cost?
Darien Nature Center does not publish tuition. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees.