A state-licensed, home-based day care in Wilton has filed an application with town boards to expand.
The business, owned and operated by Ana Maria Hernandez out of her home on Holt Road, had previously been granted site plan approval in July of 2022 for the facility as it currently operates. Hernandez said she has already outgrown that model, and plans to seek licensure for a larger operation, doubling the amount of children she is allowed to care for from six to 12.
According to state regulations, family child care home providers care for groups of children in their own home. Hernandez has been running a licensed day care out of her home, with licensure for up to six children – a capacity she currently reaches when including her own child.
Hernandez said when the facility was originally approved by the town, the conditions included a six-child limit and the requirement that she be the only employee. Hernandez said she would now like to take on additional children and one additional employee.
Hernandez said while the licensure she is seeking allows for up to 12 children, her actual capacity will be determined by the state, based on the size of her home. That number can be capped at any level between six and 12, Hernandez said, but won’t be determined until after she completes the approval process through the Planning Board.
Hernandez said she typically cares for children between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., although she is allowed to care for children for up to six hours, and her town approvals allow no more than two trips in and out of the premises between 4:30 and 7 a.m. for early dropoffs.
The home currently has sufficient parking for up to eight vehicles in the driveway, with additional partial off-street parking against the rock wall in front of the property. Hernandez expects a total of about six cars, twice a day, Monday through Friday.
Hernandez said she is also requesting an increase in hours, by adding the possibility of one weekend day a month, to accommodate Army Reserve families during training.
In April, the business received special exceptions from the Wilton Zoning Board approving a family group care facility for up to 12 children, or the number specified on Hernandez’s license, whichever was fewer.
ZBA member Andy Hoar noted that there has “been no negativity from the community” since the business’ initial startup. The board unanimously granted the special exception.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.