Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Honey Tree Preschool expands its Bethel campus with a creative play village while continuing hands-on, relationship-based learning. BETHEL, CT — At Honey Tree Preschool, the motto could easily be "learn by doing." And soon, children in Bethel will have a new way to do just that — in a miniature indoor town designed for imaginative play. Owner Danielle Gallop, who runs Honey Tree’s three locations in Monroe, Wilton, and Bethel, said the expansion is underway at the Bethel site, adding an indoor “village” with play spaces including a diner, veterinarian’s office, and market. "It'll be an entire little town where kids can engage in imaginary play," Gallop told Patch. "We'll rotate classes through, so everyone gets a chance to explore." From Marketing to Early Childhood Magic Gallop didn’t start her career in education — she was in marketing and advertising before her own children inspired a major life shift. "When my kids were little, I found myself staying at their preschool longer and longer," she said. "My husband finally said, ‘Why don’t you just do this?’ And that was it — everything just fell into place." Honey Tree’s first school opened in Monroe in 2002, followed by Wilton in 2012 and Bethel in 2025. Between the three, Gallop employs about 39 staff members serving infants through pre-kindergarten. Many students stay for five years — from their first baby steps to their first day of kindergarten. "I feel so lucky," Gallop said. "Watching these kids grow from infants to pre-K — it’s the most rewarding thing in the world." The Hands-On Approach Sensory play is central to the Honey Tree philosophy. "Children learn through hands-on experiences," Gallop explained. "We use textures, music, movement — even something as simple as playing with scarves or blocks sparks different senses." Group activities help children practice social-emotional skills — learning to share, cooperate, and respect personal boundaries. "We do a lot of teamwork," she said. "That’s how kids learn empathy and self-regulation." Gallop also believes in full transparency for parents. Each classroom is equipped with live-streaming cameras accessible to parents throughout the day. "I just feel like it’s a great way for parents to stay connected," she said. "They can see their child in action while they’re at work." While many centers use cameras internally, Gallop said few provide real-time parent access. Honey Tree also uses a mobile app to share photos and daily updates — particularly helpful for families with infants. Post-COVID Flexibility Since the pandemic, Gallop has seen a noticeable shift in enrollment patterns. "We used to have mostly full-time kids," she said. "Now, we see more part-time schedules — Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Parents' job flexibility has really changed the rhythm of childcare." Even with fluctuating schedules, enrollment remains strong — limited mainly by staffing ratios rather than demand. National preschool enrollment dropped by more than 20 percent in 2020 amid pandemic closures. Enrollment has rebounded gradually, with most states back to or near pre-pandemic levels by 2024, though part-time attendance remains higher than before. Connecticut's child care workforce remains about 10 percent smaller than in 2019, according to the CT Department of Labor.
