Belchertown, Ma. 01007
Tel. 413-323-5161
Provider: Sandra Brougham
I am Sandy Brougham, provider at Cricket Hill Daycare. I have over 28 years experience in childcare. I began doing childcare when my children were very small. My husband Gary and I have been married for 35 years and we are the parents of two grown children. I was a 4-H leader and worked with different ages of children for over twelve years. I was raised on a dairy farm here in Belchertown. I have vast knowledge of animals, and the earth we share. My husband Gary is the Town Administrator of Belchertown, and is licensed under me to care for the children should an emergency arise. He is in and out during the day and knows the children well. Our son Adam also lives at home and is licensed under me to care for the children in an emergency. He is a police officer in the town of Belchertown. We are all first aid and CPR certified. I also take continuing education in early childhood development. I belong to the Yours For Children Food Program which helps me to provide nutritious meals and snacks to the children.
The children are offered private swimming lessons here every summer by Sabrina Officer, a Massachusetts licensed swimming instructor. She is twenty years old and a sophomore at Springfield College where she is majoring in Physical Therapy. She also works for the town of Belchertown as a swimming instructor. She is cori checked by the town and is trained in First Aid and CPR. Swimming lessons are $10.00 for a half hour segment. You may book the amount of swimming lessons you wish in advance of summer school vacation.
Here at Cricket Hill the children are learning through their experiences with agriculture. We have a greenhouse where the children start their seeds which are later planted in their garden. The children also raise their own chickens from hatchings of their own birds. These chicks later produce the eggs the children sell. The proceeds are used to purchase education supplies. The children learn responsibility in caring for these birds as well as making money from there product and turning it into education supplies which benefit them.
The children here experience a variety of activities from arts and crafts, to raising their own animals, to nature exploration and gardening. Some of the vegetables they grow and the crafts that they make are entered in the Belchertown Fair in the fall. This childcare offers space for all ages of children. The diversity of ages allows the children to be in a home setting where there are many activities. As the children grow they enjoy story time, drawing, painting, clay play, dress up, water play, sand play, alphabet, numbers, colors and so much more!
The children here experience a fun rewarding day, everyday! I think your child will be as happy as the many children who have come through our doors over the past 28 years. References are available upon request.
