From Famine to Feast
By Colleen Gundlach

Donna Adams and Angela Hutchins
Photographs by Colleen Gundlach

After surviving several months with no organized day care programs in town, Norfolk parents will now have the choice of two licensed options operated by Norfolk natives. One is a home-based early childhood care option in South Norfolk, and the other, a center-based model on Laurel Way.
Donna Adams and Angela Hutchins, who both worked at the Norfolk Child Care Center for many years, opened a day care center in Adams’ South Norfolk home this past fall. This state-licensed center offers an opportunity for play and learning in a child-friendly environment. A large, fenced play yard was recently added, allowing for safe, fresh-air activities for these children who range in age from 6 weeks to 12 years old.
Adams and Hutchins focus their day not only on caring for the children, but on their early education as well. Concentrating on development of fine motor skills and in nursery school subjects such as shapes, colors and the alphabet, the pair helps to prepare their charges for transition to the preschool program at Botelle.  “We have the flexibility to be able to focus on the individual child, working one-on-one” says Hutchins. “When one of our children reaches a milestone in their development, we celebrate. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Stressing the importance of caring for the parents as well, Adams says that she want the children to be cared for as she would like her own children to tended. “It’s a big deal for the parents to be able to check in and know their child is safe and happy,” she says. “We do this by being only a phone call away.” Throughout the day, Adams may text a photo to a parent of a child reaching a milestone, or proudly displaying an art project. “We are like one big family.”
Meanwhile, at the other end of town, Kailyn Nadeau and Paige Corey are working on the final preparations for their Norfolk Early Learning Center, scheduled to open in March. They are busy remodeling the site of the former Norfolk Child Care Center on Laurel Way as they eagerly await their state license.
Both women worked together for the past ten years at a day care center in Winsted which was accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Nadeau was the head teacher and Corey the director. They decided to make the move to opening their own business because they both missed being in the classroom. “We were spending too much of our day away from the children, in administration,” says Corey. We missed being with the children.” Nadeau and Corey say they plan to obtain national accreditation within the next couple of years.
In remodeling the building, the pair is striving to make the space conducive to a high-quality learning environment.  One room will be for infants and toddlers, taught by Nadeau, and another for preschoolers, led by Corey. An additional large space will be available for physical activities and games, and for use of older children for before and after school care.  Staff members will be available to assist the older children with homework as well.
This summer, Nadeau and Corey plan to launch a full time summer camp at their center. They hope to tap into the many resources Norfolk has to offer, such as the library, historical society and Great Mountain Forest, to name a few. “It’s about thinking outside of the box, and connecting with the community,” says Corey.
In discussing the issue of having two day care options available in town, the owners of both centers agree that it is not a question of competition. “Center-based and home-based care are different, and they serve different needs,” says Nadeau. “In such a small town, we are very fortunate to have both kinds,” Adams agrees. “We are all here to give Norfolk kids the best possible, safe care and preparation for entry to preschool and beyond,” she says.
Both day care centers are accepting new children. To contact Donna Adams in South Norfolk, call 860.485.4697. To reach Norfolk Early Learning Center, go to www.norfolkearlylearningcenter.com.