Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Child Care in Torrington
Brooker Memorial has been dedicated to supporting children and families in the northwest corner of Connecticut for over a century. Founded in 1918, our mission is to prepare children for lifelong success through education, health services, family support, and programs of excellence. We offer early learning and child care for infants through third graders, comprehensive dental care for children and young adults with special needs, and innovative programs like Pathway to Success for high school career exploration. Our team of skilled professionals creates a warm, secure environment where every child feels valued and supported.We serve all families regardless of income, believing every child deserves a strong foundation for a bright future. With partnerships like Cheshire Fitness Zone for therapy services and Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation for career aptitude testing, we provide holistic support for child development. Our community-focused approach includes outreach programs like Relatives as Parents (RAPP) and the Ruth Chadwick Care Closet to address diverse family needs.
Services
Child Care
Dental Care
Family Support
Pathway to Success
Enrichment Activities
Nursery School
School-Age Programs
Pediatric Dentistry
Community Resources
Relatives as Parents Program
Details
- Year established: 1918
Highlights and features
- Experienced teachers ensure each child feels valued and supported
- Secure keypad-only entry and safety protocols protect children
- Affordable rates with Connecticuts Care 4 Kids assistance available
- Enrichment programs include free yoga, music, and organic gardening
- Community partnerships expand access to therapy and career development
What people say
Grinning from ear to ear
Very kind and patient
Amazing staff
Wonderful with children
Warm and welcoming
Services
Child Care
Our licensed child care program serves infants through third graders with age-appropriate learning environments. Experienced teachers provide structured curriculum aligned with Connecticut's early learning standards while emphasizing social-emotional development. The program operates 6:30 AM to 6 PM Monday-Friday with before/after school care options.
Dental Care
Comprehensive dental services for children and young adults with special needs include preventive care, restorative treatments, and oral health education. Our board-certified pediatric dentists use child-friendly approaches to create positive dental experiences while accepting HUSKY insurance and offering scholarship assistance.
Pathway to Success
This career exploration initiative helps high school sophomores and juniors discover their natural abilities through aptitude testing with Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation. Participants receive personalized career guidance, attend professional networking events, and explore educational pathways aligned with their strengths.
Enrichment Activities
Weekly enrichment programs include music classes with professional educators, yoga instruction for wellness, and hands-on gardening experiences in our organic vegetable gardens. These activities promote holistic development through creative expression, physical coordination, and environmental awareness.
Family Support
Our family support initiatives include the Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) for kinship caregivers and the Ruth Chadwick Care Closet for essential resources. We connect families with community partners for additional assistance while promoting child development through intergenerational activities.
People
Christina Emery
Executive Director
Christina Emery brings 20+ years of nonprofit leadership experience to Brooker Memorial. Former Director of Economic Development for Torrington, she holds degrees from Simmons College and Trinity College. Active in community boards, she resides in Harwinton with her family.
Dr. Suher Baker
Dental Director
Board-certified pediatric dentist and dental anesthesiologist Dr. Baker previously chaired Pediatric Dentistry at Yale University. She earned dental and advanced degrees from prestigious institutions including University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan.
Charlene Lee
Child Care Director
With 20 years in early childhood education, Charlene Lee holds a B.S. in Psychology from UConn. She has served Brooker Memorial for 17 years, progressing from classroom teacher to director while maintaining hands-on involvement with children.
Kaitlyn Graboski
Operations Manager
Kaitlyn Graboski joined Brooker in 2021, rising to Operations Manager by 2024. A UConn graduate with communications expertise, she manages business operations while maintaining her passion for working with children.
Lynn Mellis Worthington
Community Engagement Coordinator
Former South Kent School Publications Director with 26 years experience, Lynn leads Brooker's Pathway to Success and RAPP programs. She brings expertise in communications and nonprofit board service to her role.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for infants (6 weeks) through third grade, offering nursery school programs and after-school care with age-specific curricula.
Do you accept state assistance?
Yes, we accept Connecticuts Care 4 Kids tuition assistance program to help make quality child care accessible to all families.
Are your teachers certified?
All our educators are qualified professionals with expertise in early childhood development and specialized training in their program areas.
How do I schedule a tour?
Call 860-489-KIDS (5437) to arrange a personalized tour with our Director or Assistant Director during regular business hours.
What dental services are available?
We provide comprehensive pediatric dental care including checkups, cleanings, restorative treatments, and specialized care for children with special needs.
Is there financial assistance?
Scholarship funds are available for dental services and the Pathway to Success program for families facing financial barriers.
Videos
Reviews (2)
Ftaq
Sep 28, 2021
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Please tell me if I am wrong, make appointment with Dr. We pay Co pays, insurance pays, and we have to live with there timing and if God forbid you late, our appointment was at 3 and I text and told them will be in at 3.15 because my son gets off the school bus 3.10 and I was at Dr. 3.20 she refused to see him because we were 20mins late. She said we can reschedule it I don't want reschedule, 20min and refuse to see.We people have to pay top dollars to these Dr. And have to live with when they can see us. Children's Dr. Don't know kids go to school and they come back later afternoon let's stay
Zakk The Wozz
Sep 23, 2017
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I have been bringing my children here for almost 20 years. Everyone has been so nice and great with my kids! Always clean and professional and worth the drive for me because they've never minded going to the dentist at all
