Nature's Playground After School
Daycare center in Deep River, CT. 253 Bushy Hill Road-Activities Center, Deep River, CT 06417
About the program
Nature's Playground After School is a licensed daycare center in Deep River, Connecticut, on the state register since 2007. It is licensed for 50 children and serves preschool and school age ages.
Nature's Playground is an after-school program in Ivoryton, Connecticut, offering outdoor activities and transportation from local elementary schools.
The program follows a nature-based approach.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Nature's Playground After 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.
Authorized prescriber/parent permission [19a-79-9a(b)(3)(A-B)]
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 three years after the child is no longer attending the program.
Daily Attendance Records: Children/Staff [19a-79-3a(d)(1)]
Regulation: Daily attendance records for both children and program staff, recorded daily at the time of arrival and departure and kept on file at the facility for at least one year, showing the specific times of arrival and departure.
Unused/Expired meds-destroyed/returned [19a-79-9a(b)(5)(D)]
Regulation: All unused or expired medication, except for controlled substances, shall be returned to the parent(s) or disposed of if it is not picked up within one week following the termination of the order, in the presence of at least one witness. The facility shall keep a written record of the medications destroyed for three years which shall be signed by both parties.
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
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
Show all 54 violations on file
Toileting [19a-79-7a(d)(10)(A-H)]
Regulation: Where toilets and sinks are shared by children and adults, a written policy shall be developed and implemented that requires supervision of children when using the shared toilet room. Programs shall provide changing and sanitary facilities appropriate to meet the individual needs of children who are enrolled at the facility who need assistance with toileting or who are not independent with toileting. Facilities using potty chairs in addition to the required toilets shall ensure that they are of
Staff Health Records [19a-79-4a(a)(1)]
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, completed within 12 months before the date of employment for new program staff, and every 36 months for current program staff. Such statement shall document the presence of any known medical or emotional illness or disorder that would currently pose a risk to children.
Designated Head teacher approved- 60% [19a-79-11(g)]
Regulation: When a program serves school age children only, the designated head teacher shall be on site for sixty percent of the time the child care center or group child care home is in operation on a weekly basis. The head teacher shall be approved by the Office.
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.
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
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.
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
First Aid Trained Staff [19a-79-4a(e)(2) and/or 19a-79-4a(f)]
Regulation: At all times the child care center or group child care home is in operation, there shall be present at least one (1) staff member who has successfully completed within the past three years an Office of Early Childhood approved first aid course. The child care center or group child care home shall keep on file written verification of compliance with this requirement for each staff member who the child care center or group child care home designates to meet the first aid requirement.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Consultant Agreements/Contracts [19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2)]
Regulation: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. These services shall include an early childhood educational consultant, a health consultant, a dentist or dental hygienist consultant, a social service consultant, and a registered dietitian consultant for those programs that serve meals. Consultative services shall include annual review of written policies, plans and procedures, annual review of education programs, availability by tel
Administration of Medications: Training Outline/Med Training [19a-79-9a(b)]
Regulation: Upon completion of the required medication administration training program, the training approval and an outline of the curriculum content shall be on file at the facility.
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.
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
Authorized Released Permission [19a-79-5a(a)(1)(D)(ii)]
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 one responsible person other than the parent(s) who can remove the child from the child care center o
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.
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
Consultant Agreements/Contracts [19a-79-4a(h)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(h)(2)]
Regulation: A written plan for consultation services shall be developed, signed annually by the consultant and implemented. These services shall include an early childhood educational consultant, a health consultant, a dentist or dental hygienist consultant, a social service consultant, and a registered dietitian consultant for those programs that serve meals. Consultative services shall include annual review of written policies, plans and procedures, annual review of education programs, availability by tel
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
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.
015c-Staffing [19a-79-4a]
Regulation: The operator shall maintain a file on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home and maintain staff adequate for the number, ages and developmental needs of the children to be accommodated.
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
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.
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.
018b-Background Checks [19a-79-4a(b)]
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 evidence that the necessary information and documentation specified by the Office of Early Childhood in order to conduct background checks has been submitted. The operator shall provide to the Office of Early Childhood any information obtained concerning substantiated child abuse or neglect records or criminal convictions upon request.
015a-Dev.Milestones [Public Act 19-106]
Regulation: The operator shall post a copy of the developmental milestones document developed by the Office of Early Childhood in a conspicuous place at the program.
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
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
Menus [19a-79-3a(e)(5) and/or 19a-79-6a(a)(4)]
Regulation: When a child care center or group child care home provides either meals or snacks, menus shall be prepared at least one (1) week in advance, dated and copies posted in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public. Changes shall be documented by the end of the program day. A copy of what was served shall be kept on file for three (3) months.
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.
Designated Head Teacher/60% [19a-79-4a(c)(1), 19a-79-11(f)&/or19a-79-12(b)(1)]
Regulation: A designated head teacher shall be on site for sixty percent (60%) of the time the child care center or group child care home is in operation on a weekly basis. A program providing care for one (1) or more hours between the hours of ten (10) P.M. and five (5) A.M. shall have a person on the licensed premises designated as the person in charge who shall meet the head teacher qualifications.
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.
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).
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
Nutritious Snacks/Meals [19a-79-6a(a)(2)]
Regulation: A nutritionally adequate meal shall be provided by the child care center or group child care home, or the parent(s) whenever a child remains on the premises for five (5) hours or more. Children who stay on the premises less than five (5) hours shall have a nutritious snack. Children who stay on the premises longer than five (5) but less than eight (8) hours shall have one (1) meal and one (1) nutritious snack. Children who stay on the premises eight (8) hours or more shall have one (1) meal plus
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
Designated Director [19a-79-4a(d)(1)]
Regulation: The child care center or group child care home shall maintain documentation on site that there is a qualified designated director.
Operable CO Detector on Each Level [19a-79-7a(e)(18)]
Regulation: Child care centers and group child care homes that utilize combustible fuel shall be equipped with at least one (1) operable carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each occupied level of the facility.
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: Unused/Expired Meds Returned/Disposed [19a-79-9a(b)(5)(D) and/or 19a-79-9a(b)(5)(E)]
Regulation: All unused or expired medication shall be returned to the parent(s) or disposed of if it is not picked up within one (1) week following the termination of the order, in the presence of at least one witness. The facility shall keep a written record of the medications destroyed which shall be signed by both parties. The facility shall require the parent(s) of a child who has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector, or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an all
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.
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
Getting there
253 Bushy Hill Road-Activities Center, Deep River, CT 06417
Questions about Nature's Playground After School
Is Nature's Playground After School licensed?
Yes. Nature's Playground After School holds an active Child Care Center licence from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (licence DCCC.16368), with a licensed capacity of 50 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Nature's Playground After School had any inspection violations?
Connecticut records 25 violations for Nature's Playground After School in the last three years, across 5 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 Nature's Playground After School take?
Nature's Playground After School is licensed to serve preschool and school age ages, and is open 3 pm to 6 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Nature's Playground After School cost?
Nature's Playground After 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.
