The Founders....

Almost Home was founded in 1991 by Jennifer and Scott Soodek.

Jennifer Soodek has a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, a Masters of Science in Community Counseling from Western Connecticut State University , and a Bachelors degree in music and psychology from Sarah Lawrence College . Ms. Soodek gained recognition and a grant from IBM. She has worked as a consultant for Education Connection and Work Family Directions. She has taught elementary school in both private and public schools. Scott Soodek is an accountant and was a comptroller in the paper industry before founding Almost Home. He has coached youth basketball and soccer for many years. The Soodek’s live in Redding Connecticut and have three children, three cats and a dog.

Meet our Director’s...

Bunny Swift Kolf has worked at Almost Home since 1992. She began her Almost Home career as a head teacher in the Toddler Two’s.  She was  promoted to Director of the newly formed Almost Home School Age Program. She developed the kindergarten curriculum and was the program’s very first teacher. As Almost Home expanded, Bunny was promoted to the Director of the center that opened at 100 Danbury Road . Most recently Bunny has moved over to our location at 35 Copps Hill Road and works as a Center Director. Bunny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. She obtained her elementary certification while doing graduate work at the University of Rhode Island . Bunny is a long time local gal having grown up in Ridgefield . She currently lives in Brookfield with her husband and three children.

Fran Kelley has worked at Almost Home since 1998. She began her Almost Home career as a substitute teacher working along side her 21 year old daughter who worked at Almost Home throughout her high school and college career. Almost Home quickly fell in love with Fran and convinced her to leave her 15 year career as a Paraprofessional with the New Fairfield Public School system. Fran started as a Head Teacher in the Toddler Program and the following year moved into the Preschool Program. She was promoted to Center Director at the 159 Danbury Road location. In 2005 when Almost Home moved to Copps Hill Road, Fran moved as well as a Center Director.  Fran obtained her CDA (Child Development Accreditation) in 2001.  She grew up in New Fairfield and still lives there today with her husband and two dogs. She is a proud mother and loving grandmother!