Old Saybrook Early Childhood Council
An Introduction to Old Saybrook’s Early Childhood Council
The Early Childhood Council is committed to promoting the physical, emotional and academic well being of all children and families in the community. The Council believes in a coordinated community approach to best meet the needs of our youngest children and ensure their future success.
To contact Old Saybrook's Early Childhood Council, call Youth and Family Services at (860) 395-3190 or email.
Council Members
Acton Public Library hosts year-round, drop-in story time programs for children birth to five years old. While entertaining children, these programs also help parents learn how to use picture books with their children, thereby increasing the child’s early literacy skills. As a result of these programs, parents enhance their awareness of Acton Library’s materials and services.
Contact: Emily Sheehan, Children’s Librarian at 860-395-3184.
Beach Babies’ Infant/Toddler building has classrooms for children 6 weeks to about 2 and a half years, designed to encourage each important step of your baby’s development, while allowing them to grow at their own pace. The Preschool building, designed for children ages 2 and a half to 4 years old, is made up of 2 classrooms where children can be creative, explore and imagine. Our Pre-K is specifically designed for 4 year old children who will be heading off to Kindergarten in the fall. This class encourages independence. With a smaller student to teacher ratio, children are given more individualized attention to focus on their personal needs to prepare them for Kindergarten. Children are taught computer skills and spanish in this class as well as their every day curriculum.
Contact: Allison McCarthy at (860) 388-3737 or e-mail
Bright & Early Children's Learning Centers has opened a brand new high quality child care and early education center in Old Saybrook. Bright and Early offers individual age programs that allow children to grow and develop at their own pace in a nurturing, caring, supportive environment (Infant, Young Toddlers, Toddlers, Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten). Daily curriculum activiities focus on all aspects of your child's development including cognition, language & literacy, social & emotional, physical & health, and creative arts.
Contact: Kim Smith at 860-388-3000 or email
The Children's Tree Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education for children ages 1 to 12. We offer a nurturing, child-centered environment where students develop independence, respect for themselves and others, and a lifelong love of learning. The toddler program serves infants ages 1 to 3; the preschool and Kindergarten program serves children ages 3 to 6; and the Elementary program serves students in grades 1 to 6. Students benefit from individualized learning and small class sizes which are guided by certified Montessori teachers.
Contact: Marci Martindale at 860-388-3536 or email
The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership is a statewide program that is designed to offer Early Childhood Educators and Families relationship-based consultation services. These services focus on the healthy social and emotional development of children birth to five. The overall services offered are based upon a continuum from brief phone consultation to center-based consultation to child-specific consultation. The staff has experience working with children, families, and teen mothers; their services include home visits and clinical work with children and families.
Contact: MaryBeth Farrell, MACP at the Child Guidance Clinic for Central Connecticut at (203) 235-2815 or email
Mari's Kids
Contact: Maralys A. Feliz-Garcia by email
Middlesex County Early Head Start Program is a parent and child development program that brings health, social services, and community resources to you as your child's first teacher. READ, PLAY and LEARN with us. Meet other parents! You don't have to go it alone.
Contact: Rebecca Cuevas at 860-704-0725, toll-free at 855-872-5348, or email
Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation has recreation programs and facilities for all ages year round. Preschoolers have open gym times many days along with scheduled activities requiring registration. Playhouse Recreation Mornings is designed for 3 and 4 year olds and consists of activities such as arts & crafts, sports & games, dance & music, special events and character counts activities. Other programs are designed for 3 – 5 year olds and include classes in Soccer Skills, Story Crafts, Creative Dance Movement, etc.
Contact: Jonathan Paradis at 860-395-3152 or email
The Old Saybrook Public Health Nurse serves individuals of every age as a resource for health or medical needs. As a Visiting Nurse with the VNA of Southeastern Connecticut, the nurse can do home visits to set up homecare services after an illness or hospitalization, including physical and occupational therapy, home health aid and homemaker services. Home visits can also be for health counseling for families, or safety checks for someone in need. Collaborating with the local health department and social services the nurse works to identify the health and medical needs of the community and assists with implementing plans and services. The Public Health Nurse also works with the local Food Pantry, providing occasional blood pressure screenings on site and providing information and referrals for health needs.
Contact: Tina Belmont, RN at 860-510-0035.
The Old Saybrook Public School’s Early Childhood Program is an inclusive program providing special education services for children in Old Saybrook, who are between three and five years old and are determined eligible to receive special education services. The program also includes typically developing peers who serve as role models. Role model applications are taken in early spring of each year and the selection process is finalized by May for the following school year. The program meets five days per week, follows the district calenda, and is located at Kathleen E. Goodwin School.
Contact: Kathy Bai, Director, Student Services at 860-395-3163.
Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services represents the Town’s commitment to promoting the positive and healthy well-being of its children and families. The agency remains committed to coordinating early intervention services for preschool children to best meet their identified needs prior to their entering kindergarten. Services available to assist this young population include: counseling, parent education, socialization groups and information/referral services.
Contact: Heather McNeil, LMFT, LADC (860) 510-5042.
Public Health Nutrition Kathy Cobb, MS, RD, provides practical nutrition education to early childhood educators and providers, families, parents, children and adults in Old Saybrook through the continuing support of the Old Saybrook Public Health Nursing Board. Program focus is on building healthy food and activity behaviors to last a lifetime; keeping food fun at home and at school and taking small steps everyday for better health.
For programs and information contact Kathy Cobb, MS, RD at KC & Friends, LLC, 860-395-1557.
St. John School Pre-Kindergarten is located at 42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook. The Pre-Kindergarten program at St. John School offers children the opportunity to develop and grow while in a Catholic environment. We offer a traditional curriculum to help children learn and succeed while in a safe, spiritual and creative atmosphere. Our mission is to provide a Roman Catholic Christian environment which supports a partnership with parents in offering a quality curriculum that challenges its students to achieve spiritual, academic, physical and social potential.
Contact: Tina Greene at 860-388-0849; Contact: Donna Jeffrey at 860-395-0621.
Wildwood Pediatrics Dr. Michelle DiLorenzo is a pediatrician and partner of Wildwood Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine located in Essex and Old Saybrook. She has been at Wildwood and living in the community for 12 years. Over time she has developed many special interests including child development, behavioral health and adolescent health. She believes in surrounding children with supportive family and community allowing them to flourish and reach their full potential. Wildwood and Dr. DiLorenzo should be seen as a resource to the community to help children achieve these goals. We are not just about physical health, we are here to support families and their children in all areas of development.
Contact: Dr. DiLorenzo at 860-388-4545.
Old Saybrook's Early Childhood Council is partially supported by a grant from the Middlesex United Way.