Carrot Patch Early Learning Center
Daycare center in Hamden, CT. 235 Johnson Rd, Hamden, CT 06518
About the program
Carrot Patch Early Learning Center is a licensed daycare center in Hamden, Connecticut, on the state register since 2005. It is licensed for 47 children and serves infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages.
Carrot Patch Early Learning Center provides early childhood education with a focus on nature and outdoor activities in Hamden and Clinton.
The program follows a nature-based approach.
Tuition and capacity
Tuition: not listed. Carrot Patch Early Learning Center 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.
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.
Local Health Inspection [19a-79-2a(c)(8)]
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.
Licensed premises-clean, good repair, hazard free-maintenance program [19a-79-7a(c)(2)]
Regulation: For programs serving children younger than school age, the building, equipment and furnishings 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.
Proper Refrigeration -41 degrees [19a-79-6a(a)(3)]
Regulation: There shall be proper refrigeration of no more than forty-one (41) degrees Fahrenheit for perishable foods in all child care centers and group child care homes and on field trips.
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
Show all 19 violations on file
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.
Equipment-clean and safe, good repair, non-toxic-sturdy, free from protruding nails, rust [19a-79-7a(g)(1)]
Regulation: All equipment shall be of such design and material as to be readily cleaned and safe for children. Equipment shall not be colored or covered by any poisonous material. Equipment shall be sturdy, safely constructed and free from protruding nails, rust, toxic material and other hazards.
Lighting [19a-79-7a(e)(7-9)]
Regulation: All spaces occupied by people, equipment within buildings, approaches to buildings and parking lots shall have a minimum of one foot candle or equivalent of lighting per square foot. Child care centers and group child care homes shall have at least fifty foot candles or equivalent of light per square foot in rooms used by children for reading, painting and other close work. There shall be at least thirty foot candles of light or equivalent in other work or play areas. Programs that serve exclusi
Adequate sinks-handwashing-diapering/other use-food prep [19a-79-10(d)(1)(A-C)]
Regulation: In child care centers there shall be a sink with hot and cold running water designated for diaper changing and hand washing of program staff and children. This sink shall be located in the program space. Child care centers which have three program staff for a group of infants or toddlers may use an accessible diaper changing facility if it is immediately adjoining the program area. Separate sinks shall be available for purposes other than hand washing after diaper changing within child care cent
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.
Water Temperature 60 degrees-115 degrees [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 sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit to one hundred fifteen (115) degrees Fahrenheit. It shall have the capacity to deliver the required amounts at all times in conformance with the State of Connecticut Basic Building Code.
Nonprescription Topical Medications: Administration/Parent Permission/MAR [19a-79-9a(a)(2)]
Regulation: The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication and a medication administration record shall be written in ink and kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication.
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.
000 No Violations [-]
Regulation: -
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.
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.
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
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.
Adequate Sinks in Program Space [19a-79-10(d)(1)]
Regulation: In child care centers that serve children under three years of age, there shall be a sink with hot and cold running water designated for diaper changing and hand washing of staff and children in the program space. Visual contact with all other children shall be maintained while changing diapers or using the sink. Child care centers which staff three (3) adults to a group size of eight (8) infants or toddlers may use an accessible diaper changing facility if it is immediately adjoining the progra
What parents say
We absolutely love The Carrot Patch. Both of my kids started there at 4 months old, and it has been such a positive experience, especially when I was an anxious first time parent. Not only are my children incredibly well cared for, they are truly loved and known by the teachers. The staff creates such a warm, nurturing environment that makes it feel safe to leave your babies each day knowing they’re in the best…
Danielle Garay · 5/5 on Google · 5 months agoOur son has attended Carrot Patch since he was 3 months old and it’s been our second family ever since. The teachers are so supportive of his growth and always so reliable. The director Lori has been amazing since day one and made us feel comfortable from the moment we met. We love the outdoor classroom and the emphasis on nature based learning.
Santos and Laura Santiago · 5/5 on Google · 5 months agoCarrot Patch has become like an extended family for us. The focus on being outside is great and the teachers each create such a wonderfully nurturing environment. My kids have thrived there. I recommend Carrot Patch to everyone in the market for childcare - it's really a special place.
Stephanie Kerrigan · 5/5 on Google · 5 months agoWe absolutely love Carrot Patch! Our daughter has been attending since she was 4 months old and they have been so helpful in all our transitions as she has grown into a toddler! She loves the teachers who are so kind and caring!
Megan Dupuy-Todd · 5/5 on Google · 5 months agoGetting there
235 Johnson Rd, Hamden, CT 06518
Questions about Carrot Patch Early Learning Center
Is Carrot Patch Early Learning Center licensed?
Yes. Carrot Patch Early Learning Center holds an active Child Care Center licence from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (licence DCCC.16206), with a licensed capacity of 47 children. The state record was synced in September 2026.
Has Carrot Patch Early Learning Center had any inspection violations?
Connecticut records 13 violations for Carrot Patch Early Learning Center 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 Carrot Patch Early Learning Center take?
Carrot Patch Early Learning Center is licensed to serve infant, toddler, preschool and school age ages, and is open 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Mon to Fri.
How much does Carrot Patch Early Learning Center cost?
Carrot Patch Early Learning Center does not publish tuition on its website. Ask for the full fee schedule on a tour, including registration, supply and late pick-up fees.
