Our Center
Over 5 Decades of Childcare Experience
Good Child Development Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has served children and families of Milford and beyond since 1969. Our promise is to provide a safe, inclusive, and enriching setting where children can learn and grow, and families can feel the peace of mind knowing their little ones are loved and cared for.
Our Mascot
This is Paws, our green choices lion. Paws represents the values or Persistence, Awesomeness, Wisdom and Support and provides positive reinforcement for the kids through center-wide behavioral expectations referred to as “Green Choices”. By highlighting children’s effort and hard work, Paws symbolizes our aim to instill good habits and respect for others from a young age.
We recently published a book about Paws' values and his first adventures visiting a preschool room!
What We Stand For
A Place Families Trust
We aim to be the second-best place for your child, because the first is home with you. We work to make each day memorable and truly engaging.
Open to Every Family
Children learn best when they feel they belong. Our all-inclusive center welcomes families from many cultures, backgrounds, and income levels, through our commitment to diversity and accessibility.
Growing Good People
We support early learning that builds confidence, kindness, positive habits and a love of learning. Our goal is to prepare little ones to be active participants in their community and succeed in public school. Good children make good people.
Experience Curriculum
An educational framework that encompasses literacy, math, science, social studies, physical development, creative arts and social-emotional learning in an interactive and play-based format to make lessons fun and engaging. Click here to learn more about our Curriculum Framework.
Our Mission
The mission of Good Child Development Center is to provide a learning and developmental environment, using a global approach. This philosophy integrates the child, the family and the community.
Our History
Since 1969, our center has grown to serve more families, expand our programs, and create a space built for early childhood education.
Good Shepherd Begins
Founded below Wildermere Beach Congregational Church as Good Shepherd Daycare Center in 1969, the center then aimed to support working families resettling into the workforce in a post-war climate. Sliding-scale tuition helped low-income families access early education while parents returned to work.
Growing to Serve More Families
As the program grew, Good Shepherd moved to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and opened a second location at Woodmont United Church of Christ, serving more families and expanding to more age groups
One Center, New Building
A grant helped combine both locations into a new state of the art facility designed to be the ideal learning environment. It is one of Connecticut’s first green buildings, with plenty of natural light, space for gross motor development, and a large outdoor area.
Good Child Development Center
When Mr. Bill Okwuosa became CEO, the center’s name changed to move away from a faith-based reference, as we do not implement religious education in the classroom. The shapes in the new logo represent the transition children go through, from arriving in a box and transitioning into a well-rounded little person.
Our Center Today
Our 26,000 square feet facility can house up to 92 children in 6 age groups and 9 classrooms. We operate by the staff to child ratio state guidelines and offer educational experiences for children 6 weeks to 6 years.
We are governed by a Board of Directors and financed through state and federal incentives, tuition, fundraising and sponsorships. We are licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, the Department of Health and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children.
Our team includes administrators, head teachers, teachers, assistants, chef, and custodian. Each classroom has at least one teacher with completed or in progress Early Childhood Certifications and all staff working with children has prior experience in childcare. All employees are required to go through the BCIS background check process, take the OEC Federal Health and Safety Orientation course and get certified in First Aid, CPR and Medication Administration within the first year of employment.
We’re focused on equitable access to quality education through financial aid programs like Early Start CT and Care4Kids. Around 75% of our slots receive tuition assistance in some form, helping families across a wide range of financial situations afford childcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have enrollment requirements?
No, all children and families are welcome at Good Child and we will make our best effort to accommodate your financial, medical, nutritional and special education needs.
How can I schedule a tour? Is my child able to join me?
To schedule a tour, you can click this link to submit your inquiry through our portal. Our director will reach out to you and send a link to schedule your visit. Children are not only welcome but encouraged to join so families can observe their comfort in the environment.
How do I know my child will be safe?
Our center has a complete surveillance system, Brightwheel platform to track present children, a security company consultant and strict health and safety policies to mitigate spread of contagious illness.
What if my child has special needs or medical conditions?
Our all-inclusive approach ensures accommodations can be put in place to serve every child. Children who require third party services like Birth-to-Three, ECCP and ABA Therapy can receive them at our center. We coordinate with the families, nurse, medical team and teaching staff to elaborate, educate and implement guided care plans for any child with specific medical needs, may they be chronic or temporary.
How do I choose an age group for my child?
Some of our age group ages cross over to better support each stage of development. Placement is established based on the child’s current abilities, their experience with childcare, their date of birth and open slots.
Can I secure a spot in advance?
Yes. We utilize a pre-enrollment process where families can place a deposit and save a slot for their child as far as one year in advance.
How do I apply for financial aid?
When you attend the tour, our director will walk you through tuition assistance options and support your family’s application for Early Start, Care4Kids or both if you qualify.
Do you offer any discounts for families who don’t meet the financial aid threshold?
Yes and it is outlined on a case-by-case basis. Sibling, law-enforcement and employee discounts apply upon CEO’s approval.
How do I pay tuition?
All tuition payments are processed through Brightwheel. Each family sets up their billing method, which is confidential, and can opt into auto-pay. We also accept check or cash payments. Tuition is due every Monday.
What if I want to take time off?
Families who pay privately are entitled to 2 weeks vacation per year, where only 50% of tuition is charged.
